Milk

“His life changed history. His courage changed lives.“

James Franco as Scott Smith
Directed By: Gus Van Sant
Screenplay by: Dustin Lance Black
Release Date: January 30, 2009
Genre: Biography | Drama | Romance
Cast: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin		 External Links
- IMDB
- Official Site
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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.

Trivia & Facts

- During breaks in filming, avid reader James Franco ploughed through the works of Thomas Pynchon.

- After his first kissing scene with James Franco, Sean Penn texted his ex-wife Madonna saying, “I just broke my cherry kissing a guy.” (Her texted response: “Congratulations.”)

- During a July 2008 interview with the Orange County Register about Pineapple Express, the interviewer told Seth Rogen and James Franco that he prepared for the interview by watching the classic stoner comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High the night before. When he asked Rogen and Franco if they prepared likewise before making Pineapple Express, Franco said he prepared by making out with Spicoli (a reference to his having shot Milk, in which he and Sean Penn play lovers).

- Thousands of people agreed to take part in the film as extras for free.

Quotes: Scott

Scott Smith: Are you on uppers or something?
Harvey Milk: No, this is just plain old me.

Scott Smith: Don’t say ANYTHING.
Harvey Milk: Can I just tell you…
Scott Smith: If you say anything, about politics, or the campaign, or what speech you have to give, or anything, I swear to God I’m gonna stab you with this fork.
Harvey Milk: I just wanted to say… that this is the most wonderful dinner I have ever had.
Harvey Milk: If we lose this, it’ll just be you and me again, I promise.

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.

Scott Smith: Looks like you’re gonna make it to fifty after all.

Quotes: James

Coming soon.

Related Images


View more Milk photos in the gallery.