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.
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
Reviews for Milk
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
With neither subtlety nor depth, 'Milk' does no service to its group cause or individual subject.
Gus Van Sant's conventional biopic about an unconventional figure is a well-constructed, generally well-performed work of hagiography.
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.
Funny, touching, angry and filled to the brim with great performances, "Milk" is a wonderful film from start to finish
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.
Harvey Milk was an intriguing, inspiring figure. And Milk is a marvel.
There's a reason this kind of movie is Oscar bait and Milk seriously ups the ante in the year's best actor competition.
Weakest as a biopic, but the context is fascinating, and Gus Van Sant presents it with elegance and clarity.
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.
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.
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 ![]()
"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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