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Movies / On DVD / Milk
Milk

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Milk (2008)

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Reviews Counted:215

Fresh:201

Rotten:14

Average Rating:8/10

Consensus: Anchored by Sean Penn's powerhouse performance, Milk is a triumphant account of America's first openly gay man elected to public office.

Rated: 15 [See Full Rating] for language, some sexual content and brief violence.

Runtime: 2 hrs 9 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:23-01-2009

Synopsis: In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay... In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans. Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk under the direction of Gus Van Sant in Milk, filmed on location in San Francisco from an original screenplay by Dustin Lance Black, and produced by Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen. Milk charts the last eight years of Harvey Milk’s life. While living in New York City, he turns 40. Looking for more purpose, Milk and his lover Scott Smith (James Franco) relocate to San Francisco, where they found a small business, Castro Camera, in the heart of a working-class neighborhood. With his beloved Castro neighborhood and beautiful city empowering him, Milk surprises Scott and himself by becoming an outspoken agent for change. With vitalizing support from Scott and from new friends like young activist Cleve Jones (Emile Hirsch), Milk plunges headfirst into the choppy waters of politics. Bolstering his public profile with humor, Milk’s actions speak even louder than his gift-of-gab words. When Milk is elected supervisor for the newly zoned District 5, he tries to coordinate his efforts with those of another newly elected supervisor, Dan White (Josh Brolin). But as White and Milk’s political agendas increasingly diverge, their personal destinies tragically converge. Milk’s platform was and is one of hope – a hero’s legacy that resonates in the here and now. --© Focus Features [More]

Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna

Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James Franco

Director: Gus Van Sant

Director: Gus Van Sant
Screenwriter: Dustin Lance Black
Producer: Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen
Composer: Danny Elfman
Studio: Focus Features

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Reviews for Milk

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Milk is warm, emotional, politically committed.

Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
01/28/09
Philip French
Philip French
Observer [UK]

Milk is a powerful film that leaves a lump in your throat. It has a magnificent performance from Sean Penn.

Full Review Source: Sunday Times (UK) | comment Comment
01/28/09
Cosmo Landesman
Cosmo Landesman
Sunday Times (UK)

Milk thoroughly deserves all of the press ink that will doubtless be spilt over it. Wear your ‘Vote Penn’ Oscar pin with pride.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/23/09
Colin Kennedy
Colin Kennedy
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The story is sad, but the mood is jubilant and the energy relentless.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/23/09
Dave Calhoun
Dave Calhoun
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As a portrait of Harvey Milk, Van Sant's film is a sincere work, bolstered by an unquestionably outstanding turn by Sean Penn. While some of the other actors don't match up, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise impressive piece.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
01/23/09
James Mottram
James Mottram
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Van Sant’s skill as a film-maker is showcased here to inspiring effect. Rarely has a lesson in political history felt so involving and alive. What’s more, it’s a genuinely important film that could not be better timed.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
01/23/09
Wendy Ide
Wendy Ide
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

I felt that Milk is a slightly staid film, closer to the middle-of-the-road side of Gus van Sant's film-making persona, the bland side that made his treacly Sean Connery film Finding Forrester.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment 2 Comments
01/23/09
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It’s a wonderfully evocative film, radiating with warmth and humour, bristling too with righteous rage.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
01/23/09
Sukhdev Sandhu
Sukhdev Sandhu
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The real Milk – a former avid Republican, an egotist and to some a difficult man – seemed worthy of a dense, conflicted biopic. In the end, we have to be satisfied with Penn, doing Penn, doing Penn.

Full Review Source: Little White Lies | comment Comment
01/23/09
Kevin Maher
Kevin Maher
Little White Lies

This is a gritty, documentary-like treatment that incorporates archive footage to give the action a raw, bristling energy.

Full Review Source: Digital Spy | comment Comment
01/23/09
Stella Papamichael
Stella Papamichael
Digital Spy

This compelling biopic is proof of what an engaging director he can be when not filming his own belly-button fluff.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
01/23/09
Rob Daniel
Rob Daniel
Sky Movies

This is a warm, moving, non-preachy and surprisingly funny slice of contemporary history.

Full Review Source: Uncut Magazine [UK] | comment Comment
01/23/09
Stephen Dalton
Stephen Dalton
Uncut Magazine [UK]

Milk is a fairly straightforward biopic distinguished by judicious use of contemporary newsreel, a tone at once impassioned and restrained – until the last few scenes, the film never resorts to emotional button-pushing.

Full Review Source: GQ Magazine [UK] | comment Comment
01/23/09
Alex Blimes
Alex Blimes
GQ Magazine [UK]

The frustrating aspect of the movie is that it could - and should - have been a moving drama. Instead, it settles for being agit-prop.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
01/23/09
Christopher Tookey
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

Go along not just to see an actor at the top of his game, but to witness an uplifting, inspiring true story.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
01/23/09
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Penn is electrifying as the effeminate, tragic Milk and worthy of an Oscar nomination.

Full Review Source: Sun Online | comment Comment
01/23/09
Sun Online
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Add Penn’s uncannily three-dimensional performance, his best yet, and Milk is a masterclass on how a political biopic can become rich, humane, encompassing cinema.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
01/23/09
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

As a public figure Van Sant does him full justice; as a private individual, tormented by a needy Latino lover (Diego Luna) the film is much vaguer.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
01/23/09
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

Milk, film and man, demands our attention, yet never stoops to beg for it.

Full Review Source: thelondonpaper | comment Comment
01/23/09
Stuart McGurk
Stuart McGurk
thelondonpaper

As biopics go, this portrait of gay activist Harvey Milk isn’t quite up there with, say, Raging Bull. Still, it is smart, sexy and very funny.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
01/23/09
Charlotte O'Sullivan
Charlotte O'Sullivan
This is London
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
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Latest News for Milk

March 09, 2009: RT on DVD: Rachel Getting Married, Milk Lead Super Fresh New Releases
Home video enthusiasts, prepare yourself for what may be the best week ever! This week you'll have to choose between Academy Award flicks Rachel Getting Married (Best Actress... More...

February 24, 2009: Backstage at the Oscars: My First Time
In the movie world there is no event greater, no red carpet glitzier, no awards show more meaningful, than that of the Academy Awards. While millions watch the biggest night... More...

February 01, 2009: Slumdog's Danny Boyle Wins DGA Award
Danny Boyle takes home another win for Best Director from the Director's Guild of America -- could Oscar gold be just around the corner? See who else was nominated this year in... More...

January 27, 2009: Milk Among GLAAD Nominees Opens in new window
"Milk" has been a favorite on the awards circuit this year, and its hot streak has been extended courtesy of the GLAAD Media Awards, where it will compete in the Outstanding... More...

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