

Milk (2008)
59 0 1 0
Listed by
Mary Okeefe
Updated
November 21, 2024
Movie Overview | Milk (2008)
Milk is a 2008 American biographical drama film based on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Dustin Lance Black, the film stars Sean Penn as Milk, Josh Brolin as Dan White, a city supervisor, and Victor Garber as San Francisco Mayor George Moscone.
Share this
User reviews
A Moving Tribute
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
5.0
Entertainment Factor
5.0
Story
5.0
Actors Performance
5.0
Cinematography
5.0
Sound Track
5.0
Excellent ensemble cast with Sean Penn as usual spot on perfect in his depiction of Harvey Milk. His acting captures the real man without being overly flamboyant. The story of Milk is of an almost reluctant hero of the gay community and the telling of it is moving.
All the actors shine, but Sean Penn keeps you gripped to the screen with his sensitive portrayal.
All the actors shine, but Sean Penn keeps you gripped to the screen with his sensitive portrayal.
Inspiring True Story About An Ordinary Man
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
4.2
Entertainment Factor
5.0
Story
5.0
Actors Performance
5.0
Cinematography
3.0
Sound Track
3.0
Movie Overview | Milk (2008)
Milk is the true story about the life of the gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. The movie opens with Harvey Milk, played to perfection by Sean Penn, reflecting about his dissatisfaction with his life and decides to really do something. A researcher with a big company, Milk became involved with a theatre company in Greenwich Village and began the process of "coming out". He fell in love with Scott Smith, played by James Franceo, and they move to San Fran, open a camera shop and realize that the gay community was being persecuted by homophobic police.
Milk had no intention of entering politics but was pushed into it by circumstance. He campaigned, and organized and fought and stood up for gay rights. One sees his struggle clearly through the extraordinary performance by Sean Penn. Another star performance is by Josh Brolin, as Dan White. The remarkable cast, supporting Penn, brings this true story to life. We see an ordinary man, Milk, who, at a late stage in life, trying to make the world a better place. True and inspiring and one movie not to miss!
Fantastic
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
4.0
Entertainment Factor
4.0
Story
5.0
Actors Performance
5.0
Cinematography
4.0
Sound Track
2.0
Gus Van Sant's talent and humility allows Harvey Milk to be a the center of this remarkable story without putting himself in front of the camera. Sean Penn shines with a new and extraordinary light as Harvey Milk. His humanity is overwhelming at times. That permanent smile defining his face talks volumes about his faith in people, no matter what. His awareness is filled with truth and innocence, he worries he's about to be 40 and hasn't accomplished anything. Little did he know.The film is constructed brilliantly in a series of vignettes that builds up into a whole fluid narrative. Josh Brolin, as the disturbed Dan White is another standout in a complex and remarkable performance. No cheap shots here. Diego Luna, Joseph Cross and Emile Hirsch are also terrific as the boys around Harvey but it is James Franco who truly gets under your skin. His romantic turn is one of the most compelling gay love stories I've ever seen (and I've seen Brokeback Mountain). Highly recommended!