Milk Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

Plot

What's the story about?

Plot

In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans. During the last eight years of his life, while living in New York City, he turns 40. Looking for more purpose, he and his lover Scott Smith relocate to San Francisco, where they found a small business, Castro Camera, in the heart of a working-class neighborhood. Then, with support from Scott and from new friends like young activist Cleve Jones, Milk plunges headfirst into the choppy waters of politics. Bolstering his public profile with humor, Milk's actions speak even louder than his gift-of-gab words. When Milk is elected supervisor for the newly zoned District 5, he tries to coordinate his efforts with those of another newly elected supervisor, Dan White. But as White and Milk's political agendas increasingly diverge, their personal destinies tragically converge.

Biography Drama LGBTQIA+

Top Cast

The lead cast starring in Milk.

• 
  Sean Penn

  One Battle After Another, Crossing Over

• 
  Emile Hirsch

  Midnight In The Switchgrass, Dead Money

• 
  James Franco

  Oz: The Great and Powerful, The Iceman

• 
  Josh Brolin

  The Running Man, Dune: Part Two

• 
  Diego Luna

  Elysium, DC League of Super-Pets

Crew Behind the Film

The Milk behind-the-scenes crew and production team.

The film's director Gus Van Sant last directed Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot and The Sea of Trees. The film's writer Dustin Lance Black last wrote Rustin and Under the Banner of Heaven.

Director

Gus Van Sant

Screenwriter

Dustin Lance Black

Producers

Bruce Cohen
Dan Jinks
Michael London

Production Details

What we know about the Milk movie production.

Production Updates for Milk

Dec 2004

Completed

Changed Milk movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

Have updates about Milk? We'd love to hear from you!

Submit update

Additional Information

All Trailers

Watch official Milk movie trailers and clips.

Questions

Looking for more information on Milk?

Across the Web

• Get Tickets & Showtimes
• Buy on Amazon
• IMDb