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Milk (I) (2008)

7.6
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Ratings: 7.6/10 from 92,438 users   Metascore: 84/100
Reviews: 263 user | 309 critic | 39 from Metacritic.com

The story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California's first openly gay elected official.

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Title: Milk (2008)

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Won 2 Oscars. Another 45 wins & 66 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Mayor Moscone
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John Briggs
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Howard Rosenman ...
David Goodstein (as Zvi Howard Rosenman)
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Storyline

Using flashbacks from a statement recorded late in life and archival footage for atmosphere, this film traces Harvey Milk's career from his 40th birthday to his death. He leaves the closet and New York, opens a camera shop that becomes the salon for San Francisco's growing gay community, and organizes gays' purchasing power to build political alliances. He runs for office with lover Scott Smith as his campaign manager. Victory finally comes on the same day Dan White wins in the city's conservative district. The rest of the film sketches Milk's relationship with White and the 1978 fight against a statewide initiative to bar gays and their supporters from public school jobs. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

His life changed history. His courage changed lives. See more »


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexual content and brief violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

| |  »

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

30 January 2009 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Untitled Harvey Milk Project  »

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£336,027 (UK) (23 January 2009)

Gross:

$31,838,002 (USA) (10 April 2009)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Cleve Jones has a cameo in the film as Don Amador. See more »

Goofs

The site of the Milk/Briggs debate is incorrectly identified as the Walnut Creek Unified School District. The debate was in the city of Walnut Creek, at Northgate High School, which was (and is) part of the Mount Diablo Unified School District. See more »

Quotes

Harvey Milk: Forty years old and I haven't done a thing that I'm proud of.
Scott Smith: You keep eating this cake, you're gonna be fat by the time you're fifty.
See more »

Connections

Featured in The 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards (2009) See more »

Soundtracks

"Kalinka (Little Snowfall)"
Performed by Wiener Sängerknaben (as Vienna Choir Boys)
Courtesy of Koch International
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
"I'm 40 and I haven't done anything"
3 November 2008 | by (Silver Lake, CA) – See all my reviews

Gus Van Sant's talent and humility allows Harvey Milk to be a the center of this remarkable story without putting himself in front of the camera. Sean Penn shines with a new and extraordinary light as Harvey Milk. His humanity is overwhelming at times. That permanent smile defining his face talks volumes about his faith in people, no matter what. His awareness is filled with truth and innocence, he worries he's about to be 40 and hasn't accomplished anything. Little did he know.The film is constructed brilliantly in a series of vignettes that builds up into a whole fluid narrative. Josh Brolin, as the disturbed Dan White is another standout in a complex and remarkable performance. No cheap shots here. Diego Luna, Joseph Cross and Emile Hirsch are also terrific as the boys around Harvey but it is James Franco who truly gets under your skin. His romantic turn is one of the most compelling gay love stories I've ever seen (and I've seen Brokeback Mountain). Highly recommended!


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