Milk

  • Review Date: November 25, 2008
  • R
  • Genre: Drama
  • 2008
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Memorable, mature biopic brings a movement to life.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this intense, stirring drama examines the life of Harvey Milk, a civil- and gay-rights advocate who was assassinated in 1978. It explores prejudice against homosexuals and traces the beginnings of the gay rights movement. The film offers an unflinching look at homophobia during that era. Expect strong language (including "f--k" and "s--t"), sexual situations, partial nudity, political manipulation, suicide, and murder. Some material may be too challenging for younger teens, but older teens and adults will find it a thought-provoking piece of history.

  • Milk discovers a sense of purpose when he moves to San Francisco with and becomes an equal-rights advocate. His story gives hope to countless gay men, many of whom are afraid to come out. Milk and his longtime boyfriend appear to have a nurturing, supportive relationship, but when they break up, Milk finds himself embroiled in a highly dysfunctional relationship, which unfortunately ends in suicide. Later, Milk himself is assassinated by a fellow politician. Political intrigue and betrayals are revealed; the assassination plays out in excruciating detail onscreen.
  • A man shoots two others, point blank. Another man is beat up in a hate crime. Black-and-white archival footage shows homosexuals being harassed by cops. Also, a man Milk is involved with hangs himself; the scene in which his body is discovered is upsetting and somewhat gruesome.
  • Hook ups between men. Lots of ogling and a fair number of conversations filled with sexual innuendo (including discussion of what one person would "do" to another). Naked photos; a man walks around in his briefs. Men kiss and grope each other.
  • Fairly explicit, including "c--ksucking," "dick," "s--t," "f--k," "prick," and more. A derogatory epithet that starts with "f" is also hurled a few times.
  • Not applicable.
  • Social drinking, some to the point of inebriation. Some characters are shown rolling marijuana.

What's the story?

On the eve of his 40th birthday, closeted New Yorker Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) meets the love of his life, Scott Smith (James Franco), and decides it's time to find a "new scene." He heads to San Francisco, where he and Smith open a camera shop in the Castro. There, determined to enjoy a life where he and others are free to live and love, Milk discovers his true calling as an advocate for equal rights and, eventually, a leader of the gay-rights movement. But after he finally succeeds in becoming the first openly gay man to be elected to public office by winning a seat on the city's Board of Supervisors in 1977, Milk meets Dan White (Josh Brolin). A conservative politician also serving on the board, White grows increasingly frustrated by his own inability to navigate politics' rough waters -- Milk's strong suit -- until, one fateful day in 1978, he unleashes his rage on Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber).


Is it any good?

 

"Message" films often fail to distinguish themselves cinematically because they're so focused on hitting their talking points. MILK isn't that kind of message movie. Although it wears its politics on its sleeve, it does so with finely tuned storytelling and brilliant pacing that propels the action forward without sacrificing character development. Penn delivers an Oscar-worthy perofrmance as Milk, a San Francisco icon who's presented with all the complexities of an everyman -- a charismatic, courageous everyman -- who finds his way to greatness. Happily, the supporting cast -- particularly Franco, Brolin, and Emile Hirsch as Milk's friend/fellow activist Cleve Jones -- are also up to snuff. (That said, though it's true Milk traveled in large social circles, his entourage could have been trimmed for the film so it wouldn't feel quite so crowded.)

Director Gus Van Sant, who unleashes a singular vision here, throws archival footage into the mix, giving it heft -- not that Milk really needed any more of it. The film is infused with a palpable sense of purpose. Soulful, enlightening, politically relevant, and thoroughly affecting, Milk will leave audiences breathless.


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

Families can talk about what Harvey Milk stood for -- pro and con. What
do your kids think about the gay rights movement, and how do they think
things have changed -- if at all -- since 1978? Does the movie have a
point of view on Milk's role in history? Do your kids think it's
accurate? Why? Another good discussion can be had about the art of the
film itself and how the filmmakers used archival footage in the movie.
Does that affect the authenticity of what people are seeing?


This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Teen, 16 years old
August 1, 2009
 
This movie is so good. It really makes you think, and has a really good message. I recommend it.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 18 years old
March 26, 2009
 
A Must See
One of the best movies out there. Sean Penn's performance was amazing and he most certainly earned that Oscar. All the actors were fantastic. I loved James Franco's performance and character, Scotty, and I also loved Emile Hirsch's acting and character Cleve Jones. Great movie. Very inspiring and moving.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 16 years old
April 5, 2009
 
Best Movie of 08
Every single person who voted for prop 8 should be forced to see this. The acting was beautiful and there was not too much in the way of inappropriate things. It was a great movie.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 16 years old
August 9, 2009
 
amazing! but for older kids only!
IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!JUST AMAZING!!!!!!! YOU HAVE TO SEE IT!!!!!!!!JUST TERRIFIC!!!!!! but you have to be atleast 12 or older to see it though.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 17 years old
July 8, 2009
 
A great movie for anyone with a conscience
A brilliant and beautiful movie. The language is R-level, but teenagers say this stuff anyway, they can handle it. No use pretending. The sexual content and violence are nothing you wouldn't see in a PG-13 film, honestly. As for the message -- it's a movie about human rights and the right to love. It's a very good movie if you want to instill moral values in your kids.

Flag as inappropriate 
Parent of 11 year old
June 3, 2009
 
It was a great movie and overall I am glad my son watched it for several useful lessons but he found the sexual content disturbing

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
February 27, 2011
 
Check out my page for other great recommendations.
I'm not here to give a review because if it shows up on my page its a 5 star movie and so therefore you know what i think about it.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 18 years old
July 26, 2009
 
on 10+
love this

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
October 26, 2009
 
The last scene of the movie was so sad. A man shoots Harvey with a gun and he dies.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 18 years old
July 19, 2009
 
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
Nothing more than a showcase for Sean Penn's star power.

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Studio:Focus Features
Director:Gus Van Sant
Cast:Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Sean Penn
Genre:Drama
Run time:128 minutes
Theatrical release date:November 26, 2008
DVD release date:March 10, 2009
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:language, some sexual content and brief violence

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Video review


About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

vote now

Will you see Milk?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it