Milk (2008) User Reviews

never heard of this movie but i wanna see it now!!!!!

12/17/2008, 8:47 pm

I can't say enough great things about this movie. Sean Penn is without a doubt an oscar contender for his spot on portrayal of Harvey Milk. Also amazing performances by James Franco, Josh Brolin, Victore Barber, and Diego Luna. The story was very real and believable. Bring tissues, it's a tear jerker!

12/01/2008, 3:55 am

DID NOT ****

02/09/2009, 12:11 pm

Sean Penn as usual gives an amazing performance as Harvey Milk! The movie didn't try to sanitze Milk's life but portrayed it as is which might be too candid at times for some. I had heard the name Harvey Milk when I was younger, and thoroughly enjoyed learning about his life and accomplishments. Now I'm curious, where the heck is Anita Bryant! Milk and Bryant's opposition was brilliantly portrayed. I see another nomination for Sean Penn!

11/29/2008, 7:20 am

The movie does an excellent job at capturing the wide reaching impact Harvey Milk’s life and death had on the gay rights movement. Gus Van Sant reins in his trade mark flamboyant and surreal directorial style (mostly), and plays it straight creating a world that closely resembles San Francisco in the early 1970’s, with an almost vintage documentary feel at times. But there are striking carefully crafted scenes that delve beneath the history and get at the meaning beneath. Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk with a warmth and openness that is rare for him. I have never seen Penn disappear in a role like he does here, and it is breath taking to watch. His scenes with James Franco- who plays his lover Scott, are touching and intimate, with chemistry to burn. Franco’s quiet and subdued performance is powerful and smoldering on screen. Gifted character actors Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna, and Alison Pill add color and spirit to this movie, playing their part as Harvey’s support network. They form relationships and bonds that run deep and feel true, almost resembling family the way they relate to one another. And of course there is Josh Brolin, who plays Dan White, Harvey’s adversarial fellow supervisor at City Hall, and his eventual murderer. Brolin plays White not as a villain, but a deeply troubled man struggling to hold on to his traditional life in a fast changing world. Watching him is like watching a man struggle to keep his head above water; it’s a strong and compelling performance. There is scene after scene of revealing heart felt intimacy and quick witted dialogue. But I have to say one of my favorite scenes is between Dan White and Harvey, when Harvey tries to explain to White that his cause of gay rights is more than an issue, it’s his life. He goes on to tell White that he’s had four major relationships in his life, and out of those three attempted to kill themselves because he denied them a full and open relationship. Harvey’s earnest declaration, and Dan’s stubborn ignorance rings true and gets under your skin. But I have to say the most touching part of the movie is at the end with a photo montage of the actual people portrayed in the film, Harvey, Scott, Cleve Jones, Anne Kronenberg. These were the people who faced down the walls of prejudice and ignorance with only the strength of their conviction. Today Harvey’s message of hope and his example of reaching out is a valuable lesson. His influence made California the one beacon of hope for gay people across this country in the 1970’s at a time when homosexuality was still considered a mental condition to be treated. All in all, I wouldn’t say this movie is cutting edge or revolutionary, but it has an honest and classic message of the perseverance of the human spirit. This film had me laughing and tearing up, anxious at the climax and reflective towards the end- hitting all the right spots.

01/30/2009, 11:11 pm

After all this housing mess and crooks ,banks ripping off the poor and not awaere that loan companys can be so cruel,the pain I feel for everybody who is or lost there homes . The Oskors was just what I needet. America at its best . thea schlosser author on fibromyalgia and cfids/me

02/23/2009, 2:40 am

No wonder Penn won, He is a gay man........

02/23/2009, 1:16 am

WOW! What a great movie. Everyone was awesome! This movies should get an Oscar.

01/19/2009, 6:21 pm

Sean Penn, a disgrace to the country if you do or say anything more than acting.

02/25/2009, 6:53 pm