“Milk Money,” a 1994 film set in suburban Ohio, introduces us to three boys pooling their “milk money” for a clandestine trip to Cincinnati. Their adolescent plan: to see a naked prostitute. However, what begins as a crude quest for sexual awakening evolves into something far more nuanced. Frank (Michael Patrick Carter), one of the boys, forms an unlikely connection with the sex worker, “V” (Melanie Griffith), and envisions her as a potential partner for his widowed father (Ed Harris), a teacher and wetlands advocate. Adding layers to the narrative are Malcolm McDowell as a menacing figure and Anne Heche as another woman entangled in the city’s complexities.
Initially dismissed by critics, “Milk Money” transcends its provocative premise to reveal a surprisingly tender core. While the subject matter of teenage boys and a prostitute is undoubtedly controversial, the film delves into deeper emotional territories. Frank’s fascination with V isn’t purely sexual; it stems from a longing for a mother figure and a desire to inject vitality into his father’s predictable life. The film subtly asks: can someone like V, a sex worker, be considered “good,” and what path might lead to her redemption? The answer the film gently proposes is love, suggesting it’s the catalyst for unlocking buried compassion and change.
Beyond the initial shock value, “Milk Money” offers a lesson in empathy and seeing beyond superficial judgments. The boys’ initial objectification of V as simply a body for their amusement quickly dissolves as they begin to recognize her humanity. V, in turn, is portrayed not as a caricature, but as a woman yearning to escape a life she entered at a young age. She craves normalcy, respect, and genuine affection. Beneath the comedic surface and coming-of-age tropes, “Milk Money” subtly explores themes of morality, compassion, and the possibility of redemption in unexpected places.
Filmed in Cincinnati and Lebanon, Ohio, and with some scenes in Pittsburgh, “Milk Money” offers a glimpse into these locations. Running for 1 hour and 47 minutes, the film invites viewers to look beyond the sensationalism and discover a story with surprising heart and thoughtful undertones.
GRADE: B-
