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| Philadelphia
Year: 1993
Classification: Drama
Country: USA
Language: English
Directed:
- Jonathan Demme
Actors/Actresses:
- Tom Hanks
- Denzel Washington
- Jason Robards
- Mary Steenburgen
- Antonio Banderas
- Anthonio Banderas
One of Hanks' best performances
I'm not going to lie to y'all -- this movie is really difficult to watch. It portrays a once vibrant, young lawyer fight his battle with both AIDS and discrimination. But, it is a must-see, especially for those who possess fear of AIDS and homosexuality. It's in your face, but you could possibly learn something the hard way.
Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors, but I believe that this is his stand out performance. His portrayal of Andy Beckett is out of this world. Denzel Washington also really rises to the occassion.
I highly recommend this movie to EVERYONE and I think it should be shown at schools, workplaces, etc. We could ALL learn a lesson from it.
The only reason that I gave it four stars instead of five is *because* it's so hard to watch. The lawyer for the defendant will INFURIATE you. (And that's only a start)
For you fellow Indigo Girls fans out there: listen for the Girls' amazing cover of "I Don't Wanna Talk About It" early on in the film. ;)
The Oscar Winning Philadelphia with Hanks
March was Oscar month, and TCM (Turner Classic Movies) who showcase great Oscar movied showed ''Philadelphia'' with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington .
''Philadelphia'' is the powerful movie about a well educated and hardworking lawyer named Andy Beckette who contracts AIDS and is then illegally and prejudicely fired from his law firm when they find out he has AIDS.
The movie is nothing short of Excellent demonstrating not only the cold-blooded and hypocritical members of corporte society, but the indignities and prejudices that people living with AIDS have to go through.
The movie also brilliantly shows the courtroom tactics and lies that defendants and lawyers will use in order to win their case. The Defense (who represents the Law Firm who fired Andy Beckette) tries to make Andy Beckett's lifestyle BR>and often times varying performances at work BR>against him to try to bring down his reputation and his case.
From a law point of view, the movie is Excellent. BR>From a Film making point of view, the movie is Excellent. BR>From a societal message , point of view, ''Philadelphia'' is Excellent.
Jason Robards, plays Charles Wheeler, a sickening, prejudice man who resembles the most disgusting corporate boss there is: The corporate boss, who pretends to be friends with his coworkers or clients, only to stabbed them in the back later. He will do only anything to benefit himself.
At the beginning, Wheeler pretends to be Andy's friend, heck he even ask him for legal advice on a special antitrust case called ''Highlite vs. Sander Systems''. Andy Beckett's becomes fired, from the job, once they find out he has aids, but try to make it look he was fired for other reasons. The movie also greatly shows the prejudices, and misconception people have about aids.
However, Director Jonathan Demme does bring up some controversial areas for example Andy was a guy with many sexual partners, and so his diagnosis of the Aids Virus while dating Miguel Alvarez (Antonio Banderas) is not surprisingBR>at all. In fact the defense uses Andy's personal history against him very well.
Denzel Washington plays Jospeh Miller, the lawyer Beckette eventually to try to bring his AIDS case to court. BR>Miller himself, at first, displays his own prejudices against people with AIDS. When Beckette, touches items in his office, his face becomes terrified, showing his fear and ignorance that perhaps he will catch AIDS from Beckette.
Another gritty scene that shows people ignorance and prejudice is the library scene in which Andy Beckette, is conducting researching for his AIDS case against the lawfirm that illegally fired him. The librarian in the library, first asks Andy Beckette, if he would be more comfortable in a study room, but then it becomes evident that the the ignorant librarian is telling not asking Andy Beckette to go to another room. BR>Andy being, a very proud man, refuses showing his true dignity
Hear Springsteen's and Neil Young's songs, then press STOP
"Philadelphia" is Hollywood's pathetic, hygienic attempt to deal with the maelstrom of controversy surrounding AIDS. It just doesn't want to offend anyone. (Even the Talking Heads's song "Heaven," heard in one scene, has its "heaven is a place where nothing ever happens" lyric rendered not so offensive.) The performances of Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington are noteworthy, but the film refuses to fully explore how AIDS can lay waste to a person's body, mind, and relationships. Does our main character's family and friends struggle with an admixture of hatred, disgust, pity, and sorrow for their infected son? Of course not! That would be too real for the suburban megaplex crowd and for the gay community. No, in "Philadelphia," the AIDS victim's family and friends are supportive until the end. Who's the bad guy? Well, it's our hero's employer, whose somewhat understandable fears of a ravaging syndrome (which was not fully understood in 1993) being introuduced in the workplace are portrayed as malicious. The subject of AIDS is a powderkeg, but in "Philadelphia," it seems about as controversial as cancer.
Buy Philadelphia at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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