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Philadelphia (1993)

Philadelphia (1993)
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At the time of its release, Jonathan Demme's Philadelphia was the first big-budget Hollywood film to tackle the medical, political, and social issues of AIDS. Tom Hanks, in his first Academy Award-winning performance, plays Andrew Beckett, a talented lawyer at a stodgy Philadelphia law firm. The homosexual Andrew has contracted AIDS but fears informing his firm about the disease. The firm's senior partner, Charles Wheeler (Jason Robards), assigns Andrew a case involving their most important client. Andrew begins diligently working on the case, but soon the lesions associated with AIDS are visible on his face. Wheeler abruptly removes Andrew from the case and fires him from the firm. Andrew believes he has been fired because of his illness and plans to fight the firm in court. But because of the firm's reputation, no lawyer in Philadelphia will risk handling his case. In desperation, Andrew hires Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a black lawyer who advertises on television, mainly handling personal injury cases. Miller dislikes homosexuals but agrees to take the case for the money and exposure. As Miller prepares for the courtroom battle against one of the law firm's key litigators, Belinda Conine (Mary Steenburgen), Miller begins to realize the discrimination practiced against Andrew is no different from the discrimination Miller himself has to battle against. The cast also includes Antonio Banderas as Andrew's partner, Joanne Woodward as Andrew's mother, and Stephanie Roth as Joe's wife. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Starring:
Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, (more)
Director(s):
Jonathan Demme
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG13
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Philadelphia

At the time of its release, Jonathan Demme's Philadelphia was the first big-budget Hollywood film to tackle the medical, political, and social issues of AIDS. Tom Hanks, in his first Academy Award-winning performance, plays Andrew Beckett, a talented lawyer at a stodgy Philadelphia law firm. The homosexual Andrew has contracted AIDS but fears informing his firm about the disease. The firm's senior partner, Charles Wheeler (Jason Robards), assigns Andrew a case involving their most important client. Andrew begins diligently working on the case, but soon the lesions associated with AIDS are visible on his face. Wheeler abruptly removes Andrew from the case and fires him from the firm. Andrew believes he has been fired because of his illness and plans to fight the firm in court. But because of the firm's reputation, no lawyer in Philadelphia will risk handling his case. In desperation, Andrew hires Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a black lawyer who advertises on television, mainly handling personal injury cases. Miller dislikes homosexuals but agrees to take the case for the money and exposure. As Miller prepares for the courtroom battle against one of the law firm's key litigators, Belinda Conine (Mary Steenburgen), Miller begins to realize the discrimination practiced against Andrew is no different from the discrimination Miller himself has to battle against. The cast also includes Antonio Banderas as Andrew's partner, Joanne Woodward as Andrew's mother, and Stephanie Roth as Joe's wife. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
125 mins

Complete Cast of Philadelphia


Director(s):
Jonathan Demme
Writer(s):
Ron Nyswaner
Producer(s):
Jonathan Demme, Edward Saxon
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG13(Watch With Your Teen, Questionable for Children, Adult Situations, Profanity)
Philadelphia Awards:
  • 1994 - Berlin International Film Festival - Silver Bear for Best Actor
  • 1993 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
  • 1993 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Original Song
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    Dena G.

    There is a reason why Tom Hanks is one of the premiere actors of our time. His performance in Philadelphia is poignant and realistic. The movie explores the discrimination and isolation experienced by people living with AIDS. Yes, Hanks' character is gay but this isolation is not confined to homosexual males. It is an isolation based on misunderstanding and fear. Do you remember the little boy with HIV (sorry I don't know his name) who was kicked out of school many years back because other parents thought their kids would get AIDS by drinking from the same water fountain? Excellent performances by Hanks and Denzel as the attorney who overcomes his fear and learns the facts about HIV/AIDS.

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    William M.

    This is Tom Hanks finest performance. With the help of a Producer, Director, and full staff of performers and technicians, great truths have been revealed about homosexual men. This movie could relieve many people of the burden of hatred they have formally carried against these intelligent and loving people.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Jeff H.

    A good movie.

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