Movie Review – Milk (2008)

Starring – Sean Penn, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch
Director – Gus Van Sant
Domestic Gross – $27,318,000
Running Time – 128 minutes

I guess I didn’t know what to expect when I sat down for Milk. All I knew about the story was what I had heard in passing so… Milk dies and it brought about the “twinkie defense”. Beyond that he was a gay activist who got elected to office in SF. But, with Sean Penn starring I really didn’t know if I’d enjoy it. Sean Penn is one of the finest actors alive, but he’s also incredibly annoying publicly and chooses some real odd ball films. This isn’t one of them. At times he does channel his character from I Am Sam, but I honestly don’t think anyone else could have effectively played this part. Franco was outstanding as well. I’ve been watching Franco since Freaks and Geeks and I’ve never been real sure that he could actually act. I thought he was more a James Dean look-alike who got by on that. He proves it in Milk hands down. Josh Brolin was very effective as well as Dan White. I’m not so sure he’s Oscar-worthy, but he was good. Like I said… I’m not sure what I was expecting when I sat down, but what I got was a truly fantastic film that would be the odds on favorite for Best Picture in any other year. Regardless of your politics take a look at Milk when it hits DVD on March 10th.

I’m Mike D and I approve this message.