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Movies / Upcoming / 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.

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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61 - 80 (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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Marches forward with insistency and purpose. This immensely heart-felt biographical movie ranks as one of the year's best films.

Full Review Source: Fresno Bee | comment Comment
12/24/08
Donald Munro
Donald Munro
Fresno Bee

This is one of Penn's greatest roles.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment 2 Comments
12/22/08
David Cornelius
David Cornelius
eFilmCritic.com

Milk is that rare biographical movie that makes you believe you've met the man yourself. At the very least, the movie makes you wish Harvey Milk were still around, fighting the good fight.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment 2 Comments
12/19/08
Sean Means
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune

Whether you are heterosexual, homosexual or somewhere in between, Milk is such an inspiring and powerful movie that you should drop everything you are doing right now and instantly head to the theaters.

Full Review Source: Watertown Daily Times | comment Comment
12/19/08
Adam Tobias
Adam Tobias
Watertown Daily Times

It's Amazing How Van Sant Can Pull Off Such Grace and Grit the Same Year he Gives Us to Prententious Nonsense of Paranoid Park.

Full Review Source: Film Snobs | comment Comment
12/17/08
Jimmy O
Jimmy O
Film Snobs

Captures the feeling of the city, and the events of Milk's life; but never captures the dynamic charisma that had to be a vital part of the man

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment Comment
12/16/08
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com

...it doesn't pack quite the same emotional punch as its non-fiction forebearer, Rob Epstein's Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
12/16/08
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

Milk combines grade-A acting, an astute screenplay, and innovative, passionate direction into a package that entertains even as it drives home some important ideas.

Full Review Source: Aisle Seat | comment Comment
12/15/08
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

Josh Brolin's double murderer steals the film from Sean Penn's Saint Harvey. That couldn't have been the intention, but the most fully developed character wins.

Full Review Source: Seacoast Newspapers (NH/Maine) | comment Comment
12/14/08
Gina Carbone
Gina Carbone
Seacoast Newspapers (NH/Maine)

A rare bio-pic of sufficient depth and emotional complexity to humanize an icon while simultaneously conveying the significance of his lasting contributions to the culture.

Full Review Source: NewsBlaze | comment Comment
12/13/08
Kam Williams
Kam Williams
NewsBlaze

Full of both passion and purpose, Milk is clearly one of the year's best films.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
12/13/08
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

A funny, moving and emotionally intense movie that is among the best of 2008.

Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
12/12/08
Robert W. Butler
Robert W. Butler
Kansas City Star

Whatever you think of gay people (or politicians), you may find the movie compelling viewing.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Observer | comment Comment
12/12/08
Lawrence Toppman
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer

The time is right for Milk.

Full Review Source: Window to the Movies | comment Comment
12/12/08
Jeffrey Chen
Jeffrey Chen
Window to the Movies

An object lesson for filmmakers who need proof that features with heavy themes about events of historic significance can be personal and accessible, intimate and entertaining.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
12/12/08
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Penn seems to disappear behind the upright shoulders and coquettish grin of his alter ego. He not only launches into each close-up screen kiss with co-star James Franco with palpable zeal, he makes Milk a lovable hero despite all his flaws and unflagging

Full Review Source: CBC Infoculture | comment Comment
12/12/08
Katherine Monk
Katherine Monk
CBC Infoculture

Considering that it is a story steeped in tragedy, Milk is a joyous movie.

Full Review Source: Scene-Stealers.com | comment 1 Comment
12/12/08
Eric Melin
Eric Melin
Scene-Stealers.com

[Later] you realize that [Penn] doesn't innately look that much like Milk -- which is a sign of how terrific his performance is. Josh Brolin is no less perfect as White...

Full Review Source: Los Angeles CityBeat | comment Comment
12/12/08
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat

Penn's best performance and Van Sant's best film.

Full Review Source: Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) | comment Comment
12/12/08
John Wirt
John Wirt
Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

"Milk" is expertly made, rich with humor and poignancy, using a mix of recreated scenes shot in San Francisco and archival footage to give a convincing, panoramic portrait of the city, an era, and the man who changed both.

Full Review Source: Capital Times (Madison, WI) | comment Comment
12/12/08
Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)
 
 
61 - 80 (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
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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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