Milk
Milk

Milk

1999Movie96 minEnglish

Forty-five-year-old Adrian has been living with his mother Lucy and running their Wiltshire dairy farm all his adult life. When Lucy unexpectedly dies of a heart attack, a rogue's gallery of family members show up at the farm to argue over the execution of Ruth's will. The one object that everyone seems to want, and several people try to steal, is Ruth's valuable Modigliani painting. In the midst of all this confusion over Ruth's death, a mysterious visitor named Ilaria inserts herself onto the scene and has a surprising effect on those gathered.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic86/100
Google Users92%
Director: Gus Van SantGenres: Biography, Drama, History

Plot Summary

The story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, and his struggles as he became a leading figure in the gay rights movement. The film chronicles his rise from an ordinary citizen to a politician who inspired hope and change. It culminates in his assassination, but his legacy of activism and equality endures.

Critical Reception

Milk received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Sean Penn's performance as Harvey Milk, which earned him an Academy Award. The film was praised for its sensitive and powerful portrayal of a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history and its hopeful message about political activism.

What Reviewers Say

  • Sean Penn delivers a career-defining performance as the charismatic and courageous Harvey Milk.
  • Gus Van Sant masterfully captures the spirit of a transformative era and the fight for civil rights.
  • A deeply moving and important historical drama that resonates with themes of hope and political change.

Google audience: Viewers overwhelmingly praised the film for its inspiring true story, Sean Penn's exceptional portrayal of Harvey Milk, and its powerful message about courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. Many found it to be a moving and essential piece of cinema.

Awards & Accolades

Won Academy Award for Best Actor (Sean Penn), nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing. Won Golden Globe for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama (Sean Penn). Nominated for numerous other awards.

Fun Fact

Sean Penn initially turned down the role of Harvey Milk multiple times, feeling he wasn't the right fit, but was eventually convinced by director Gus Van Sant and producer Dan Jinks.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review