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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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161 - 180 (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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Van Sant's innate stylistic detachment keeps Milk from attaining its full potential as a rousing, rich drama. It's 2 percent when it should be whole.

Full Review Source: Metro Weekly (Washington, DC) | comment Comment
11/26/08
Randy Shulman
Randy Shulman
Metro Weekly (Washington, DC)

A traditional bio-pic about historic figure Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in this country. Sean Penn gives a wonderful, inviting performance as the easy-to-smile Milk.

Full Review Source: About.com | comment Comment
11/26/08
Marcy Dermansky
Marcy Dermansky
About.com

Memorable, mature biopic brings a movement to life.

Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
11/26/08
S. Jhoanna Robledo
S. Jhoanna Robledo
Common Sense Media

Milk achieves what it sets out to do, telling an inspiring tale of one man's quest to legitimize his identity, to give hope to his community.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
11/26/08
Brett McCracken
Brett McCracken
Christianity Today

Penn is so engaging, physically loose and just plain smart in the title role, he's bound to top everyone's shortlist come awards time.

Full Review Source: NPR | comment Comment
11/26/08
Bob Mondello
Bob Mondello
NPR

This is really about a man who gave his life to a movement. Everyone knows about the tragic end of JFK and MLK. More people need to know Harvey Milk's story.

Full Review Source: The Scorecard Review | comment Comment
11/26/08
Jeff Bayer
Jeff Bayer
The Scorecard Review

The story of Harvey Milk is a tragedy, but not since Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High has Sean Penn played such a serenely happy individual.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
11/26/08
Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune

Milk was murdered 30 years ago. The exceptional The Times of Harvey Milk won the Oscar for Best Documentary 24 years ago.... Yet, all this time later... Hollywood wants us to applaud its courage for finally--finally--telling this story?

Full Review Source: New Republic | comment 8 Comments
11/26/08
Christopher Orr
Christopher Orr
New Republic

Milk is a film about the politics of sex, in which the political process itself not only takes precedence over but seems to stand in for the complexities of real life sexuality.

Full Review Source: SpoutBlog | comment Comment
11/26/08
Karina Longworth
Karina Longworth
SpoutBlog

Van Sant could have trimmed the movie up a little bit but that is all forgotten when you see Sean Penn's awkward and genius performance.

Full Review Source: WJFK-FM (CBS Radio) | comment Comment
11/26/08
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy
WJFK-FM (CBS Radio)

With neither subtlety nor depth, 'Milk' does no service to its group cause or individual subject.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment 2 Comments
11/26/08
Donald J. Levit
Donald J. Levit
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Gus Van Sant's conventional biopic about an unconventional figure is a well-constructed, generally well-performed work of hagiography.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
11/26/08
John P. McCarthy
John P. McCarthy
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Sean Penn is nothing less than transformative. This is one of those watermark turns that an actor waits all their life to play, and he disappears into the role with every fiber of his being.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
11/26/08
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

Funny, touching, angry and filled to the brim with great performances, "Milk" is a wonderful film from start to finish

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
11/26/08
Peter Sobczynski
Peter Sobczynski
eFilmCritic.com

Milk is adult and intelligent in ways many films are not, and it's rousing and enthralling in a way few films are. It's a minor miracle of sheer film making joy and determination, and one of the best American films of 2008.

Full Review Source: Cinematical | comment Comment
11/26/08
James Rocchi
James Rocchi
Cinematical

Harvey Milk was an intriguing, inspiring figure. And Milk is a marvel.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
11/26/08
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There's a reason this kind of movie is Oscar bait and Milk seriously ups the ante in the year's best actor competition.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
11/26/08
Geoff Berkshire
Geoff Berkshire
Metromix.com

Weakest as a biopic, but the context is fascinating, and Gus Van Sant presents it with elegance and clarity.

Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment Comment
11/26/08
Eugene Novikov
Eugene Novikov
Film Blather

Skirting somewhere in-between his bombastic, arms-flailing work in the disasterous All the King's Men remake and the man-child of I Am Sam, Penn goes well past impersonation and commands each and every scene with sympathy and determination.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
11/25/08
Erik Childress
Erik Childress
eFilmCritic.com

All I know is that I can never get through Times of Harvey Milk without a handkerchief, while Van Sant's Milk left me forlornly dry-eyed.

Full Review Source: MSNBC | comment 9 Comments
11/25/08
Alonso Duralde
Alonso Duralde
MSNBC
 
 
161 - 180 (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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