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Milk

Play trailer Poster for Milk R 2008 2h 8m Biography Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 241 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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Milk

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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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Critics Reviews

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Namrata Joshi Outlook 01/31/2019
3/4
Penn is so well-tuned that not for a minute does his Milk lapse into a caricature. Go to Full Review Nathan Lee Film Comment Magazine 03/20/2018
Milk is fortuitously, if inevitably, a movie of its moment. Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek 02/06/2018
Penn may be the main attraction, but this is very much an ensemble piece. Emile Hirsch, as cheeky street kid turned activist Cleve Jones, Diego Luna as Milk's annoyingly needy, unstable second lover and James Franco's Scott, add to the communal spirit. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 3
4/4
The climactic candlelight vigil -- one of the most stirring sights in 20th century American history -- is so expertly handled that it’s inspiring in both its artistic expression and its emotional impact. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 03/05/2024
3.5/4
Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk as if overcome by another personality, allowing us to forget there’s an amazing actor at work and simply accept the person as presented. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 04/08/2023
... focuses less on Milk’s triumphs than on his activism: how he shaped a movement and showed gay men and lesbian women all over the country that they could stand up for their rights as a political force. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Mar 1 Academy Award winner in 2009 for Best Actor (Sean Penn, who played the main mayor (pride) leader in San Francisco, California, USA). 81st Annual Academy Awards ceremony. See more Oaklee D @ODie63 Oct 2 I enjoyed it but I wanted to love it and it just didn't click with me as much as I wanted it too. See more Gareth v @geewah Aug 9 An impactful, well-acted biopic that honors a pivotal figure in civil rights history. See more Adam Y @Adyacht Jul 9 Penn burrows inside his character, capturing not only Milk's Long Island Jewish intonations but also the intensity of his beliefs and the particular mix of fear and desire through which he viewed the world. See more Jared M. @Jed76 Jul 1 Great performance by Penn! See more Jon G @RT43191456 Jun 13 A great movie, great performances by Sean Penn and the ensemble cast. See more Read all reviews
Milk

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Cast & Crew

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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

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Milk

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Movie Info

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
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Jinks/Cohen Company, Groundswell Productions
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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