Milk
Milk

Milk

2008Movie128 minEnglish

The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man ever elected to public office. In San Francisco in the late 1970s, Harvey Milk becomes an activist for gay rights and inspires others to join him in his fight for equal rights that should be available to all Americans.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users89%
Director: Gus Van SantGenres: Biography, Drama, History, Political

Plot Summary

The film chronicles the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, detailing his rise as an activist and politician. It covers his passionate advocacy for gay rights and his eventual assassination. The movie highlights his challenges, triumphs, and the broader struggle for equality during the 1970s.

Critical Reception

Milk was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Sean Penn's performance and Gus Van Sant's direction. It was praised for its sensitive and powerful portrayal of Harvey Milk's life and the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning numerous awards and nominations.

What Reviewers Say

  • Sean Penn delivers a career-defining performance as the charismatic and courageous Harvey Milk.
  • Gus Van Sant masterfully captures the spirit and political fervor of the era and Milk's movement.
  • The film is a poignant and inspiring tribute to a pivotal figure in LGBTQ+ history.

Google audience: Audiences lauded the film for its powerful storytelling and Sean Penn's compelling portrayal of Harvey Milk. Many found it to be an inspiring and important historical account of the fight for civil rights, appreciating its emotional depth and relevance.

Awards & Accolades

Won Academy Awards for Best Actor (Sean Penn) and Best Original Screenplay. Nominated for Best Picture and Best Director. Also received numerous other awards and nominations, including Golden Globe and SAG Awards.

Fun Fact

Sean Penn initially turned down the role of Harvey Milk twice before accepting it, partly due to the immense responsibility he felt in portraying such an iconic figure.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Crazypiglady

Crazypiglady

A brilliantly informed piece of history. I learnt more than I thought I would and enjoyed it even more. Enjoyed probably isn’t the word as it’s a disgrace that any of this had to happen but overall it’s an empowering film of right over wron...
The Movie Diorama

The Movie Dioram...

Milk shakes its nutrient-rich substance to produce a delectably important biopic. No fat free milk. No semi-skimmed froth encrusting the top layer. Lactose is included. Just whole Harvey Milk dairy, freshly pasteurised by superlative direct...