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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.

Australian Rating: MA15+ [See Full Rating] Mature themes, coarse language and sexual references

Runtime: 2 hrs 9 mins

Genre: Dramas

Australian Theatrical Release:
Jan 29, 2009 Wide

US Box Office: $31,716,847

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; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
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The film itself can be taken as an act of testimony, mingling archival footage with re-enactments and immediacy with nostalgia.

Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
02/05/09
Jake Wilson
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film is dedicated to Milk's memory, but it's Penn that most of us will remember.

Full Review Source: The Australian | comment Comment
01/30/09
Evan Williams
Evan Williams
The Australian
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Penn is a revelation as Milk. He's always been a no-holds-barred actor, but this is another departure: his energy drives the story.

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
01/29/09
Dave Calhoun
Dave Calhoun
Sydney Morning Herald
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Quite simply, Milk is an unmissable film about a man who energised a movement.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
01/29/09
Colin Fraser
Colin Fraser
FILMINK (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Milk is the full-cream deal; an artery-testing tale of love, politics, human rights and heartbreak.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia) | comment Comment
01/29/09
Vicky Roach
Vicky Roach
Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Sean Penn's stunning performance as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man voted into US public office is the first reason to see this potent and involving film

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
01/23/09
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film belongs to Sean Penn -- he inhabits Harvey’s sweetness, his astuteness, his courage and determination.

Full Review Source: At the Movies (Australia) | comment Comment
12/19/08
Margaret Pomeranz
Margaret Pomeranz
At the Movies (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Milk tackles serious issues about equal treatment under the law and the power of a minority community to determine its standing in the larger world through political activism.

Full Review Source: Washington Times | comment Comment
08/30/09
Sonny Bunch
Sonny Bunch
Washington Times

Ultimatelt resembles less the man than the titular white liquid -- warm, nourishing, somewhat sleep-inducing

Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment Comment
08/26/09
Fernando F. Croce
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion

The film is not only the story of Harvey Milk but the galvanization of the gay community in San Francisco and while Milk would have been quick to point out that there are very few lesbians in this film - something that Van Sant seems to miss - he would ha

Full Review Source: Movie Magazine International | comment Comment
08/01/09
Moira Sullivan
Moira Sullivan
Movie Magazine International

A solid film with clear intentions -- to thoughtfully entertain. If you walk out of Milk and not be moved then you are missing a little soul.

Full Review Source: BET.com | comment Comment
06/10/09
Clay Cane
Clay Cane
BET.com

Sean Penn gives a meticulously detailed performance as the cagey and charismatic pol, but credit should also go to Dustin Lance Black, whose script squarely locates Milk at the center of his community, his city, and his cause.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
05/09/09
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

An involving portrait of the courage of one man standing up against hatred and bigotry.

Full Review Source: Oscar Guy | comment Comment
03/01/09
Wesley Lovell
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy

The best film of 2008; engrossing no matter what one's sexual orientation.

Full Review Source: Orange County and Long Beach Blade | comment Comment
02/27/09
Fr. Chris Carpenter
Fr. Chris Carpenter
Orange County and Long Beach Blade

Penn's comments at the 2008 Oscars might have been needed if it weren't for a previous statement by Dustin Lance Black who sensitively and appealingly, made an acceptance speech in which he spoke very personally about the pain of being gay as a youth.

Full Review Source: tonymacklin.net | comment 1 Comment
02/25/09
Tony Macklin
Tony Macklin
tonymacklin.net

O mais impressionante é observar como Penn se livra de todos os resquícios de sua própria personalidade e de seus personagens anteriores ao emprestar seu corpo a uma nova criação que em nada lembra suas demais performances.

Full Review Source: Cinema em Cena | comment Comment
02/23/09
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

Much like the documentary that went before; Penn's performance makes the remake worthwhile

Full Review Source: Movie Habit | comment Comment
02/22/09
Marty Mapes
Marty Mapes
Movie Habit

Algo atípico: buen cine testimonial y militante con la forma de una producción mainstream de Hollywood. Gran trabajo protagónico de Sean Penn.

Full Review Source: Uruguay Total | comment Comment
02/08/09
Enrique Buchichio
Enrique Buchichio
Uruguay Total

'Milk' is a docu-drama that's one of the best movies of 2008.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
02/08/09
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Penn is magnificent in the title role with excellent support from James Franco and James Brolin.

Full Review Source: Atlantic City Weekly | comment 2 Comments
02/05/09
Lori Hoffman
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian 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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