Milk
Focus Features | Release Date: November 26, 2008
7.5
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 358 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
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274
Mixed:
41
Negative:
43
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
MichaelL.Nov 28, 2008
This film is as close to perfect as I've seen all year. I'm not a huge Gus Van Sant fan--but his vision, restraint, and honesty are much appreciated in handling the life of a very complex, heroic figure for the gay community. Sean This film is as close to perfect as I've seen all year. I'm not a huge Gus Van Sant fan--but his vision, restraint, and honesty are much appreciated in handling the life of a very complex, heroic figure for the gay community. Sean Penn should be awarded the Oscar right now...why wait? His is a flawless performance, and he is supported by brilliant work from James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin and Diego Luna. I've seen nothing this year that comes close the impact of "Milk". Particularly salient with the recent passage of California's Proposition 8, this is a must-see for anyone who thinks gay rights are not civil rights.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
SteveS.Nov 28, 2008
Sorry, I know that I'm out on my own here, but I found the screenplay truly terrible. The acting was of course top-notch, and I'd give Sean Penn (perhaps the greatest actor of our generation) an Oscar nomination in a sec. However, Sorry, I know that I'm out on my own here, but I found the screenplay truly terrible. The acting was of course top-notch, and I'd give Sean Penn (perhaps the greatest actor of our generation) an Oscar nomination in a sec. However, the script was full of cliches and facile emotional manipulation. I mean, come on! That flashback at the end: "I'm not gonna live to 50." If he really said that, fine, show it at the beginning. But the flashback? And that hackneyed scene: "Nobody cared enough to show up?" Oh, gee, turn around and there they all are. All in all, it was more of a history lesson than a drama. It didn't tell me much of anything that I hadn't learned . . . much more compellingly . . . from "The TImes of Harvey Milk." "Milk" was so top-heavy with historic exposition that there was hardly a minute for insight into the internal lives of the characters. E.g., I certainly didn't see any motivation at all for his ongoing relationship with Jack. And although, as a gay man, Harvey Milk is one of my heroes, I don't think that the kind of hagiography that ignores his well-known darker side does any justice to the man himself. (I know some of the critics thought it was there. Well, I didn't think so.) All in all, I'd say, rent "The Times of Harvey Milk."… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
RahulDNov 27, 2008
I have to admit that I what somewhat of a homophobe. That being said, Milk has completely changed my views and has shown me what I feel everyone like me should know - all of us are human. If I had to describe it I'd say: I have to admit that I what somewhat of a homophobe. That being said, Milk has completely changed my views and has shown me what I feel everyone like me should know - all of us are human. If I had to describe it I'd say: Thought-provoking yet enjoyable.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JohnY.Nov 27, 2008
The best film I've seen so far this year. Penn is going to win an Oscar for this surprisingly joyous and captivating performance.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
BobM.Nov 26, 2008
What incredible all-around acting! Kudos to Sean Penn, James Franco and the screenwriter Dustin Lance Black!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
billy.Nov 26, 2008
This is a superb movie for straight, gay, bi, everyone. It's not a "gay" story, although it renders in heartbreaking nuance the stripping away of rights of gay people and their struggle to attain equal civil rights, it's a story This is a superb movie for straight, gay, bi, everyone. It's not a "gay" story, although it renders in heartbreaking nuance the stripping away of rights of gay people and their struggle to attain equal civil rights, it's a story for everyone who wants to see an excellently well-acted, piercingly relevant, and at times moving story of a time and place and struggle that happened not so long ago at all, and still continues with our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers today as they struggle and fight on for equal rights. A very, very well done and poignant movie that everyone should see. Mr. Van Sant did a fine job with this one.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
VictorM.Nov 26, 2008
Sean Penn nails one of his greatest roles ever. This movie is not only the story of a man who died 30 years ago, but also a look at the history of San Francisco and the gay rights movement. The way that Van Sant blends real footage with his Sean Penn nails one of his greatest roles ever. This movie is not only the story of a man who died 30 years ago, but also a look at the history of San Francisco and the gay rights movement. The way that Van Sant blends real footage with his own work puts you right in the City in the Seventies.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
PatrickW.Nov 26, 2008
This film is all-at-once heartwarming and heartbreaking, thought-provoking and disconcerting. Sean Penn gives a truly award-worthy performance; any overlook should be deemed a snub.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
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