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Movies / Upcoming / Milk
Milk

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Milk (2008)

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Reviews Counted:216

Fresh:202

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

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Milk

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
4/5

Jake Wilson

The film itself can be taken as an act of testimony, mingling archival footage with re-enactments and immediacy with nostalgia.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 05 2009 10:44 AM

The Age (Australia)

tomato
4/5

Evan Williams

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 30 2009 06:48 AM

The Australian

tomato
5/6

Dave Calhoun

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: | comment Comment | Jan., 29 2009 05:03 AM

Sydney Morning Herald

tomato

Colin Fraser

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 29 2009 04:58 AM

FILMINK (Australia)

tomato
4.5/5

Vicky Roach

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 29 2009 04:54 AM

Daily Telegraph (Australia)

tomato

Louise Keller

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: | comment Comment | Jan., 23 2009 08:39 PM

Urban Cinefile

tomato
4.5/5

Margaret Pomeranz

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 19 2008 05:47 AM

At the Movies (Australia)

tomato
3.5/4

Matt Soergel

A lively biopic of slain gay politician Harvey Milk, one that mostly avoids the "this happened, then that happened" routineness of many of its ilk.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 24 2009 10:32 AM

Florida Times-Union

tomato
3/4

Sonny Bunch

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: | comment Comment | Aug., 30 2009 03:33 PM

Washington Times

splat

Fernando F. Croce

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 26 2009 12:01 PM

CinePassion

tomato
A-

Moira Sullivan

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: | comment Comment | Aug., 01 2009 11:17 PM

Movie Magazine International

tomato
A-

Clay Cane

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: | comment Comment | Jun., 10 2009 09:14 PM

BET.com

tomato

J. R. Jones

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: | comment Comment | May., 09 2009 01:28 PM

Chicago Reader

tomato
3.5/4

Wesley Lovell

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 01 2009 06:50 PM

Oscar Guy

tomato
A

Fr. Chris Carpenter

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 27 2009 10:36 AM

Orange County and Long Beach Blade

tomato
3.0/5

Tony Macklin

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: | comment 1 Comment | Feb., 25 2009 07:26 PM

tonymacklin.net

tomato
4/5

Pablo Villaca

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: | comment Comment | Feb., 23 2009 04:00 PM

Cinema em Cena

tomato
3/4

Marty Mapes

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 22 2009 03:32 PM

Movie Habit

tomato
4/5

Enrique Buchichio

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: | comment Comment | Feb., 08 2009 10:08 PM

Uruguay Total

tomato
4/4

Linda Cook

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 08 2009 08:28 AM

Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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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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