Milk reviews (2008)

Milk details

Formats:	15 DVD, Blu-ray
Starring:	Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco, Diego Luna, Alison Pill, Victor Garber, Denis O'Hare
Director:	Gus Van Sant
Genres:	Drama - Comedy, Gay/Lesbian
Studio:	MOMENTUM PICTURES
Collections:	100 Most Wanted, Political Thrillers, Top 400 All-Time Rentals

Name	Discs
Milk	15 Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	2 hours 8 minutes
Rental release:	08 Jun 2009
Main languages:	English

Name	Discs
Milk	15 Feature

Blu-ray Information

Run time:	2 hours 8 minutes
Rental release:	08 Jun 2009
Main languages:	English

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LOVEFiLM Review Milk

By Tom Charity from LOVEFiLM

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk; California's first openly gay elected official. Milk was assassinated, along with Mayor George Moscone, by San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.
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Most helpful review Milk

Great honesty makes change happen?

By ThePagan (9 reviews) from WORTHING , 26 Jan 2009

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Show review anywayHide

[Highly rated reviewer]

SPOILER*****************SPOILER

A continuation of Gus Van Sant's series of films with subjects around fatal shootings. This one is covering a period of time when gay men organised politically to gain greater acknowledgement from those living around them and how this lead to the first openly gay official becoming elected in the United States of America.

This film shows with clarity, the pain and suffering caused by standing for office and doesn't make the main protaganist out to be any kind of saint... very refreshing.

The actors, of all gender and sexuality roles portray their humanity well and don't shy from complexity.

The camera work is fine and if you get the chance this film works very well on the big screen.

Gus Van Sant is more than able to handle the structure of the narrative, which does maintain Penn/Milk's engaging central role throughout the film.

I can't critise Sean Penn in this movie, he brings life back to Harvey Milk, and his performance allows the audience to fully engage with Harvey even though we're preparing for the inevitably tragic end.

This film does take it's time to apreciate Harvey Milk and all those around him, being a tribute with out emotional manipulation or schmaltz. I would have liked to know Harvey Milk. Living in hamlet in the UK, I never heard his message of hope when I was young, I do remember his death being reported as a young man. This film brought me his message of hope, anger and a willingness to accept change, even force it when needed.

In these days the politics of hope are refreshingly brought to the fore in this film. Let's hope that this work will help to dispel any undeserved cynicism about some activists motivation.

OverallI found this film a real joy, despite the painful journey, plenty of tears and my need to have a resolution I new impossible as Milk dies too young.
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A great film for a truly great man

By xxamukxx (20 reviews) from Greenhithe , 10 Feb 2013

I totally love this film and was totally fitting in documenting such an important man in history. I really felt so drawn in by the film and felt like i have actually witness history in the making for myself. A great cast and wonderfully directed. I really like the extra features and how they have worked with some of the actual people who were there at the time and had some appear in the film. I couldn't help but feel emotional in different ways watching the film. This for me is one to add to my Blu Ray collection (and that doesn't happen often)!
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A real gem

By a customer , 30 Dec 2012

This was sent to me in error but I'm really glad it was. Something I probably wouldn't have requested but it is a real gem. Worth a watch.
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Interesting Social History

By a customer , 16 Nov 2012

The film was very interesting from a social history pov but was a little to long for me. Sean Penn was superb as the eponymous campaigner.
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Milk - slowly poured.

By gingerspike (414 reviews) from Grimsby , 28 Aug 2012

This biopic of California's first openly gay elected official was a good film. However, I felt it was a little slow at times. If the film was a bit shorter it would have probably gained a higher rating from me. That said, the film is certainly worth watching as the protrayal of an important part of history.
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Can't believe Penn was awarded for this!

By a customer , 03 Jun 2012

The one major criticism I have of this film, is how Sean Penn spoils it by overacting all throughout. I am surprised that many are not offended by his interpretation of how gay men act.

Having got that out of the way, Milk is an amazing story of a truly inspirational person. The rest of the cast are great, thankfully not attempting to out camp Penn.
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