Milk

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Milk

R

Released Nov 26, 2008

2h 8m

Biography

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

243 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In 1972, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and his then-lover Scott Smith leave New York for San Francisco, with Milk determined to accomplish something meaningful in his life. Settling in the Castro District, he opens a camera shop and helps transform the area into a mecca for gays and lesbians. In 1977 he becomes the nation's first openly gay man elected to a notable public office when he wins a seat on the Board of Supervisors. The following year, Dan White (Josh Brolin) kills Milk in cold blood.

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Critics Consensus

Anchored by Sean Penn's powerhouse performance, Milk is a triumphant account of America's first openly gay man elected to public office.

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thiago s

Filme bacaninha, o roteiro é mais ou menos, o filme tem uma história não tão interessante, mas a atuação do seann penn salva um pouco o filme.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

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PridePosterStudios

“You gotta give ‘em hope!”

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/26/24

Full Review

Jerod S

Penn is believable as gay politician Harvey Milk, but the relationships featured in the film aren't nearly as gritty as they were in real life. And the double homicide was treated like an afterthought.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/05/23

Full Review

Amy L

EXCELLENT. So relevant still today.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/23

Full Review

d h

I've been interested in Harvey Milk's story since I was young. I finally watched this movie at 20 and was not disappointed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

dave s

With Milk, director Gus Van Sant proves once again that he is able to effectively transfer his small-budget, independent film (Elephant, Drugstore Cowboy) sensibilities to a larger budget, Hollywood production. Covering the last decade of Harvey Milk's life, it is the story of a man who uses his considerable influence to protect the civil rights of, primarily, the gay community in San Francisco. Sean Penn is brilliant in the lead role, but what real stands out is Van Sant's ability to capture the atmosphere of the times. Much of the film has the vibe of a documentary thanks to the copious amounts of archival footage that documents the tumultuous time period. Austere throughout, Van Sant dispenses with the glitz and glamor of most Hollywood films to capture the raw emotions of an important period in American history.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Gus Van Sant

Director

Sean Penn

Harvey Milk

Emile Hirsch

Cleve Jones

Josh Brolin

Dan White

Diego Luna

Jack Lira

James Franco

Scott Smith

Milk: Official Clip - A Cold Welcome to the Castro

1:05

Milk: Official Clip - Harvey Meets Cleve Jones

1:50

Milk: Official Clip - Victory Map

1:52

Milk: Official Clip - My Fellow Degenerates

1:24

Milk: Official Clip - Harvey Tries to Work With Dan

1:19

Milk: Official Clip - We Must Fight!

1:54

Milk: Official Clip - Gay Pride Rally Speech

2:51

Milk: Official Clip - Strategy Session

1:12

Milk: Official Clip - Cleve Joins the Revolution

2:58

Milk: Official Clip - Harvey Debates Senator Briggs

1:03

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Synopsis

In 1972, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and his then-lover Scott Smith leave New York for San Francisco, with Milk determined to accomplish something meaningful in his life. Settling in the Castro District, he opens a camera shop and helps transform the area into a mecca for gays and lesbians. In 1977 he becomes the nation's first openly gay man elected to a notable public office when he wins a seat on the Board of Supervisors. The following year, Dan White (Josh Brolin) kills Milk in cold blood.

Director: Gus Van Sant
Producer: Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen
Screenwriter: Dustin Lance Black
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Groundswell Productions, Jinks/Cohen Company
Rating: R (Language|Brief Violence|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Biography, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 26, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.8M
Runtime: 2h 8m

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