Student Film Reviews

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1. Hilary Rosenthal 05.17.09 / 11pm

   To give a bit of background,Harvey Milk was a pioneer in 1977 when he became the first openly-gay person to be elected to political office in the State of California. The outspoken activist had represented San Francisco’s Castro District as a City Supervisor for less than a year when he and Mayor George Moscone were murdered by Dan White , a disgruntled rival and former Supervisor.
   The assassination turned Milk into a martyr, and he was most definitely worth a movie to be made about him.The film “Milk”, directed by Gus Van Sant, is as much an historical referencet of the rise and fall of a beloved hero as well as being a character study of a vulnerable, and complicated soul.

   Considering the times, The picture couldn’t be more timely, given the controversy surrounding the recent passing of Proposition 8 banning gay marriage in California. The opening features a black & white collage of archival footage of arrests of homosexuals and of police raids of gay bars during the 70’s, the film begins at the end where a clip of Supervisor Diane Feinstein announcing the murders of Milk and Moscone.

   Milk himself (Sean Penn) then proceeds to narrate his own story in a series of flashbacks, which became a sort of memoir told into a tape recorder shortly before he was killed.

   Throughout the movie, Milk is shown in love and happy with his partner. In the first scenes of the film, Milk and his partner Scott Smith (James Franco) are shown frolicking and being so over in love in order to put it out there. I believe that the scnes between Smith and Milk were prominent in the beggining of the film because Van Sant wanted his audience to understand the issue Milk was fighting for…his right to love whomever he wanted.

   After a good chunk of the film, Milk begins to transition into a gay rights activist who eventually organizes the community whether it be union workers,blacks and other gays,into alliances in order to break down the walls of hatred that have been intact for years throughout America.

   Overall, Milk was portrayed perfectly by Penn’s charismatic belief to take on each role with force. Watching this film not only made tears well up but also made me more aware of the long years people have already worked for in order to prevent governmental decision like prop 8.

   This film was truly a biography filled with depth,emotion and homage to an icon that contributed lasting effects to the culture.
2. Julian Wan 06.18.09 / 10am

   I’m not in the film club, but I have a completely different point of view for many plot points in this movie.

   I think in the beginning, when Milk meets Scott, there is nothing romantic going on. Van Sant is portraying a lonely man scouring the New York public transit for a hook up… on his birthday. It’s Milk’s epiphanic realization that he’s living a life he hates, sleeping with a man who wouldn’t have done so a day later, after Milk turned 40 years. It’s at this point he laments he’s accomplished nothing, and him and Scott move to San Francisco.

   The review is dead on about the struggle for equal rights. Harvey became an icon of a universal struggle for communities and minorities to be recognized as equals. The film depicts this very well.

   What I think is ironic, though, is the ending. Nobody seems to mention that Harvey was not killed as a homosexual. Harvey was killed as a political opponent.

   I think Van Sant is trying to inject emotions into history that may or may not have been. He did this in Elefant.

   Van Sant’s view, in my interpretation, is that even when Harvey overcame a huge social boundary, social problems still existed. Greedy, cutthroat people still existed, and homosexuality was not the only prejudice people held against Harvey Milk.

   Plainly, I think this movie has been turned into a political agenda in light of California’s recent political upset. Had Prop 8 not been around, this movie would be perceived as a biography of a civil rights activist who was killed unfairly, early, and for a cause not related to his work.
3. Alexis Gold 06.21.09 / 11pm

   This film was spectacular. Sean Penn nailed Harvey Milk perfectly. Besides the heavy emotions shown by every character and the well written script that portrayed the true Milk in every way, the setting and design of the movie put the audience in the era that was being shown. A teenager and an elder women could watch this movie and both feel the vibe and the setting this movie exploded. The relationship between Harvey Milk and his boyfriend played by James Franco, made the audience forget that people even cared about homosexuality. The comfort the actors showed towards homosexuality and the sometimes graphic but tasteful love scenes between the actors, felt like it did not offend the audience or was done wrong. Milk is a film that was put together perfectly and could have failed miserably and offended many if done wrong. Everything in this film was tastefully done and the feeling of true passion that the real Harvey Milk exuded, bursted out of the film.
4. Patricia Papadopoulos 06.23.09 / 7pm

   I agree this film couldn’t have come at a better time; like most films produced in the late 1960s and 70s it directly presents what I believe is the most controversial issue our country is dealing with at this moment. It portrays the life of a man who changed history and fought for the equality that our gay and lesbian community is still fighting for today. Sean Penn is remarkable as always, and I truly felt he embodied the passion and spirit of Harvey Milk. The real footage used also puts the viewer in that time and is effective at evoking emotion. Regardless of a person’s view on homosexuality everyone can appreciate this film; the love scenes do not contain their expected shock value because James Franco and Sean Penn tastefully and comfortably depict the love between two people, making the audience forget that some people might think what they’re doing is wrong. A must see film for everyone regardless of their age, sexual preference, or religious beliefs.
5. Kathryn Woodbury 06.24.09 / 11pm

   I too thought this film was an excellent social tool released at a very pertinent time, with Prop 8 about to hit the ballot, although clearly it did not sway all voters, this film not only told the story of the legendary Mr. Harvey Milk, it brought back the fire that dwelled within the legend. The emotions the movie stirred up, hatred towards Dan White (who only ended up serving five years for the murders of two men due to the Twinkie defense), and a feeling of inspiration because of the sociopolitical barriers Milk broke down. To be entertained and inspired is what sets this movie apart, Sean Penn did a fantastic job getting into character, one even comparable to Heath Ledgers performance in Batman (I’m sure some will disagree, but yes I said it and that is subjective). This film was very naturalistic, Gus Van Sant and his team’s recreation of the Castro during the 60s was represented with absolute authenticity.
6. Michelle Scott 07.02.09 / 9am

   I too saw this movie and was completely breathtaken and captured by Sean Penns portrayal of Harvey Milk. I believe if it was not for Harvey Milk the gay community would not have had the representation that they have today. It is awful to think that even though this movie was made in the 60’s, forty years later we are still dealing with the unlawful rights of our country against homosexuals. Hopefully this movie gave more people a better insight that gays have just as many rights as the rest of us to get married, have children, and most importantly a voice. Sean Penn and the film Milk won many awards and rightfully so because Gus Van Sant, the directot, was not afraid to present Harvey Milk and the gay community in a real light. Sean Penn did a wonderful job portraying Harvey with all of his added character traits and flaws. Never before this movie had I heard about Mr. Milk and I am so excited that i got to experience the impact he made in the film Milk.
7. Coral Martinez 07.02.09 / 6pm

   This film was one of the most emotionally moving films I saw all year. It was powerful and breathtaking. Harvey Milk was an amazing man and I am so glad this film was made about him and the gay rights movement. He was such a crucial part of this movement. Sean Penn did an amazing job playing Harvey. He played him so passionately that it brought the film to life. Watching this film, I felt like was back in the 70’s in San Francisco, such a revolutionary time. I loved the way the “Harvey Milk” was filmed – the tape-recorded narrative and flashbacks made it feel that much more real. This was an astounding film that I am so glad to have had the privilege of viewing.
8. Max Silva 07.02.09 / 9pm

   I agree with the review almost wholey, this film had a spectacular plot line, exceptional acting, and great cinematography. This movie is definitely a step on the right road and up for gay films and historical films a like. The performance of Sean Penn was amazing, his body language and speech portrayed his character perfectly and is defintiley a stand out performance in his career. I also agree with Julien Wan in the fact that Harvey was killed by a politician because of politics, not because he was gay and this wasn’t made clear in the film which can give an inacurate description of history but overall an amazing film that will go down in homosexual film and biography history.
9. Leanne Barber 07.03.09 / 11am

   I found this film one of the most moving a motivating ways of production. The acting was great and the writers and directors took much insight into this story with the idea of a person who changed history. Overall amazing film filled with emotion and opinion of people who are homosexual and the biography was really superior. There are not many films that have been made that bring this issue up and in society i find it very interesting. The music supported the characters interacting and made it rememberable for all who viewed it. I consider this one of the best films i have seen and admire those who took the time and effort into making it.
10. Michelle Wong 07.04.09 / 12pm

    I agree with Aleksandra in most of her thoughts about Milk. I wouldn’t expect anything less from the explosive combination of Harvey Milk’s story, Sean Penn’s performance and Gus Van Sant’s Direction. Penn’s acting is so much convincing that if you ever seen Milk’s before you wouldn’t recognize the difference. Van Sant, on the other hand, has always masterly managed histories with intense emotional content and controversial characters (see also Good Will Hunting (1997) Paris Je t’aime (2000)). In this movie, apart from showing Milk’s struggles as an American gay activist who became California’s first openly gay elected official, the Director very much deepen Milk’s personal journey. Van San’s describes how love, friendship and ideals continuously impacted his life, how injustice revealed over and over into his eyes and how Milk decides to take the lead in the gay cause. Through this movie, Van Sant immortalize and let new generations know a man who died for the cause of millions and started a battle that is still taking place in many parts of the world.
11. Emily Poncetta 07.04.09 / 9pm

    My reaction to the film “Milk” is definitely identical to Coral’s comment. I was very excited to watch this film, and afterwards I felt as if I gained a new chapter of knowledge about something I was completely unaware of. Sean Penn and James Franco were amazing actors all throughout the film, you almost felt as if you were witnessing it live back in the 70’s. Such an inspirational story that opens up your eyes to another lifestyle that today is still experiencing chaos. Similar to what Alexis said, anyone could watch this film and still come out of it with the same form of emotion or mindset in exception to your opinion on the topic. Overall, I would consider this historical film to be one of the best films I’ve ever watched to this day. The realistic attribute of this film is what makes it such a significantly powerful film which accesses a different mental and emotional connection to the audience as to what a comedy or a horror film would do.
12. Marcus Mitchell 07.17.09 / 2pm

    Harvey Milk was one of the people who were on the political frontlines in 1977. As first openly gay elected official in San Francisco he pioneered the movement in to the next generation of followers. Milk was an extraordinary and film that brought to life a man who was fighting for what he and millions of other people believed in. Sean Penn may have given his greatest performance in my eyes since “I am Sam,” and to me this film has already a classic and a historical insight into the Gay movements of the 1970’s. This was probably the best film of 2008 and I recommend this movie for everyone to see.
13. Jeff Jay 07.22.09 / 8pm

    There were some very good decisions that went into the making of Milk. The most prominent one is casting. The performances are excellent. I was particularly impressed with James Franco and Emile Hirsch as well as Diego Luna. But Sean Penn, who is a great actor, is at peak form as Harvey Milk, and that’s saying alot. This is essentially Sean’s film. Another good choice was script. We follow Harvey, an intelligent and creative but ordinary gay man, who decided to step out of the shadows and seize control of his life. At the age of 40, Harvey moved to San Francisco and changed not only his life but the lives of hundreds of thousands of others and the future for gay rights in America. He begins by standing up for himself but soon learns to use the trust others have in his courage and leadership. Slowly over time Harvey begins to grasp not only the significance of his movement for scared, isolated individuals but also for the big political picture, and he rises to the occasion again and again. This is a great story, well told. It is not perfect. For a while there I got lost in the political campaigns as they tick off year after year. And I would have liked to know some of the other characters a bit better, especially when you see what they have gone on to accomplish in the bio’s at the end
14. Melina Lino 09.30.09 / 7pm

    Before ever watching Milk, I am ashamed to say that I did not know much of anything about Harvey Milk, I only knew of the “Twinkie Theory” that is synomious with his assassination. I was completely enthralled with this movie and the message it had, rights for all. Harvey Milk was such an amazing figure in history and should really be taught about in schools more often. The film is absolutely beautiful. Gus Van Sant incorporates the human strength and beauty into his portrait of Milk and leaves you breathless. This is a must see and an American classic. I cannot stop raving about this film to all of my friends and co-workers.
15. Yi Sui 10.10.09 / 4pm

    It is a great movie telling all of us an impressive and moving story. I should say this movie totally touched me. Sean Penn is so into the movie and he presents the real Harvey Milk to all of us so vividly. I remembered when I saw Sean Penn walked on the red carpet to get his Oscar, the host asked him to say something about “Milk”, and he still talked as Harvey Milk hoping the whole country can give the equal human right to homosexual people. Actually, Harvey Milk, right now he is not only a gay activist on Castro Street in San Francisco, beyond that he is a spirit and a symbol because he is only one homosexual leader standing out in front to requesting the whole nation for the equal human rights at that time. And finally, after several years’ effort he did it! He uses his voice telling everyone a truth that there are no differences between homosexual people and others. Love this movie a lot. Harvey Milk must be remembered by all the people for all the time. Thanks for Sean Penn’s excellent work.
16. Dominic Pape 10.15.09 / 10pm

    The film “Milk” is such a great insight into a courageous and groundbreaking man. This film did wonders on giving society a look into the life a group that to this day is still struggling for equal rights. I will have to agree that Sean Penn was amazing in this film and really showed that he put in a lot of preparation for this film. The director’s use of Difference and Variation with Harvey’s hair cut and clothes was interesting and made it easy to tell where Harvey was in his life and how he was changing. This was a very moving film and a lot of the credit goes to the cast’s ability to reinvent themselves.
17. Sarah Malina 10.26.09 / 4am

    I have to completely agree that the film Milk was breathtaking. Harvey Milk’s story is courageous and absolutely inspiring. Living in the Bay Area my whole life I feel ignorant for never knowing about Milk’s triumphant fight until now. I think Sean Penn did a fabulous job, he portrayed Harvey Milk spot-on, all the way down to the hand gestures (my friend showed me real-life footage of Harvey Milk on youtube.com, and believe me it’s eery how similar the two act!). But the story was so moving, I actually cried at the end when Milk was shot; it’s heart-breaking to know that someone with such positive intentions could be viewed so horribly. And it’s such a great time for this film to come out since we are still struggling for gay rights today.
18. Carly Kinnan 11.02.09 / 9pm

    I too have to 100 percent agree with the review that Milk was amazing. Sean Penn was incredible; he portrayed the story of Harvey Milk with poise and passion. He is, simply, a genius. He portrayed everything from the diction to the hand gestures of Milk with complete accuracy. I also thought James Franco gave a convincing performance of his boyfriend; as well as Diego Luna. Both played their characters with passion and put themselves fully into their roles. Milk was moving and inspirational: it came at the perfect time, as we are still struggling with gay rights today.
19. Kathryn Woodbury 11.09.09 / 11pm

    Milk is one of my favorite movies of all time- not only because it is exploiting a sensitive subject for San Francisco (my hometown) but it’s shedding light and knowledge to this subject and giving it the recognition it deserves. This film was perfect from start to finish, aside from the obviously phenomenal acting (especially by Penn), the mise-en-scene is in my opinion: equally phenomenal. The message of the film is clear, concise, and mind-opening to many. The film was released at a crucial time in gay-rights history, with Prop 8 and whatnot, it may not have been successful enough to sway all voters, but it did raise awareness.
20. Lu Lu 03.01.10 / 10pm

    I was completely touched by the movie Milk. I think Sean Penn is making himself get so involved in this story, since he presents a real Harvey on the screen in front of audiences. Milk was an extraordinary and film that brought to life a man who was fighting for what he and millions of other people believed in. Throughout the movie, Milk is shown in love and happy with his partner. In the first scenes of the film, Milk and his partner Scott Smith (James Franco) are shown frolicking and being so over in love in order to put it out there. I believe that the scnes between Smith and Milk were prominent in the beggining of the film because Van Sant wanted his audience to understand the issue Milk was fighting for…his right to love whomever he wanted. Thanks for Sean’s excellent job on this film, so that people would something that is true and unusual.
21. Cameron Black 03.05.21 / 8am

    Sean Penn stuns me. Not sometime before seeing “Milk,” I saw his work in “Dead Man Walking”. Hardly any character could be more extraordinary, hardly any character could appear to be so genuine in his acting and in really settling into the role of his character. He makes a character with seemingly boundless love, authenticity, and care, and he does it from an unfeigned place in his heart. When I watched MIlk I can feel Harvey’s kind and empowering disposition. Here he takes a character who may appear to be an odd bird to conventional America and makes him totally recognizable. He makes you want to weep, smile, and laugh and all in the same film. The film “Milk” discloses Harvey Milk’s story as life-altering, a triumph for independence and freedom from political and social injustice. That all people, regardless of their race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation, might be empowered to simply be. To stand firmly in their shoes and march for what, and towards what, they believe in. There is an extraordinary shot close to the end of the film, showing a march of thousands of people holding candlelights in honor of the man who taught them justice, in honor of the man who taught them life without fear. This particular shot is genuine footage from November of 1978 after Harvey was shot and killed. It is emotionally shattering. This was Harvey Milk’s legacy. I am a homosexual man in 2021. Heterosexual, homosexual, transgender we are all human. His legacy is our strength, and we would do well to march forward ever remembering his name “Harvey Milk.”

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