Customer Reviews

Philadelphia

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I really did not want to watch this film when it was on the cinema as I thought it would be depressing and the thought of AIDS
terrified and horrified me. I finally watched it through video hire and was blown away. I was stunned at Hank's performance and it totally transformed my thoughts and opinions about the AIDS epidemic. It is still one of my top ten all time favourite films.

i figured this would be good movie,given that it stars Denzel
Washington and Tom Hanks,two acting greats.but given its subject
matter(homosexuality,and AIDS discrimination)i thought it would also be
depressing.in fact,it isn't at all.there are some sombre moments,to be
sure.it is very touching at times.i liked how the film doesn't take
side on this issue.it merely present a story,and it's up to the viewer
how they respond to it.i mentioned Denzel Washington and Tom
Hanks.however,Mary Steenburgen also impressed me a lot.Antonia Banderas
was also good in what i believe is his first English speaking role.the
reasons this film is so good(in no particular order)are three
fold.one-the acting.2-the confident direction of Johnathon(silence of
the Lambs)Demme.3-the economical writing.i also have to mention the
musical score as well as the theme song by Bruce Springsteen.both
really complemented the movie well.overall,this was a good movie.one
thing i didn't like is that one or two scenes went on a bit too
long.however,those were few and far between.my vote for Philadelphia is
a 4/5

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
and often times varying performances at work
against him to try to bring down his reputation and his case.

From a law point of view, the movie is Excellent.
From a Film making point of view, the movie is Excellent.
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 surprising
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.
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.
Andy being, a very proud man, refuses showing his true dignity even while having AIDS.

Joseph Miller (Washington) eventually agrees to become Andy's lawyer and this is where more powerful scenes are shown along with brilliant and well scripted performances.
''Justice is blind regardless of color, sex and religion.'' is the line that the Judge in the case uses to ensure the parties involved that this will be a fair case. ''Philadelphia'' gathered many Oscar Nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor leading to Denzel Washington winning for Best Actor.

''Philadelphia'' is not the only movie that deals with the issue of AIDS, but it is by far one of the best made.

I Highly Recommended this movie for both educational reasons (educate people about AIDS along with the ignorant misconception people have about it), and for Journalistic and Filmmaking reasons.

An Oscar worthy film that has to be seen.

There is a dvd available for ''Philadelphia'' but unfortunately no, special features are given but still a great film.

I finally got around to renting a copy of "Philadelphia". Honestly, I was bored and nothing seemed interesting in the video store at the time. I paid my money, took it home, popped it in, and watched for two hours. The plot is inherently well-known so I won't rehash it here. However, I do find the film to take their viewpoint in treating homosexuals as regular people to almost bashing you over the head extreme. I'm no longer a subscriber to any faith. I'm skeptical of all religions, but I still maintain a study to better understand people and show respect where I can. I respect the fact that one's personal preference in bedroom activites should not be included in workplace policy, or any other public discourse, unless mutually agreed upon. I tend to keep it behind the bedroom door. Whatever two consenting adults do is none of my business. However, if a religion states in it's holy book that the deity who inspired said holy book isn't pleased with same-sex relations, that is their belief and I respect it. Does that mean that religious people should be blindly labeled as "Homophobes"? No, only if they engage in the typical intolerance and prejudice shown to various ethnic groups the world over and apply that to actions consenting adults engage in, in the privacy of their bedroom. I've known and have worked with homosexuals in various jobs and also studied with in course during my college days, and I actually found a few to be more enjoyable and a breath of fresh air compared to some heterosexual people. I don't consider myself to be "Enlightened" (I have no time for people who claim to be anyways), but I eventually came to my current outlook in life long before I saw Philadelphia. I enjoyed the film for it's themes in removing intolerance, but the film just was a tad too preachy at times. Do I recommend it, yes, but I do know some won't change in their views no matter how foolish.

'Philadelphia' was Hollywood's first major story on the AIDS issue. It gave a nice try, but still no cigar. What bothered me were the courtroom sequences, which seem ridiculously unrealistic. Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington give stellar performances though.

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. ;)

"Philadelphia", based on a true story, is one of the best releases of 1993, starring Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Mary Steenbergen, Antonio Banderes, and more. Its production was extra crutial being that during the time of release, many were still severely fearing AIDS. The producers accomplish every scene wonderfully. The movie's portrayal of AIDS and its victims is very accurate to reality. The plot was written beautifully, though sad. It explores more than just AIDS; it explores discrimination against those who have it and against homosexuals. Such combination remains ahead of its time. The plot becomes more interesting as Andy Beckett's lawyer becomes more educated about such issues and begins changing his beliefs about them. Its emotional impact is intense, never held back for a second. It forces audiences to feel the events. The movie is more than entertainment; it's also educational.

Tom Hanks's Oscar winning performance as Beckett is heartwrenching. His every drop of heart and soul was poured through his performance. His previous hardcore research about the lifestyle, the disease, and the actual events is obvious. This is one of many movies that proves that Tom Hanks is one of the best actors in history. Denzel Washington's performance as Beckett's lawyer is beautiful. His acting skill proves very crutial in his character's personality and point of view. All other actors, major or minor, also perform their roles wonderfully. Everyone, including Hanks and Washington, offers their own useful emotional prospective to this movie.

Bruce Springsteen's Oscar winning song "Streets of Philadelphia" is a beautiful way to begin the movie. Its dark theme matches the plot perfectly. It also offers new prospectives to the movie. This song will be a classic in the following years. The original score was also composed beautifully(not by Springsteen), giving the movie more intensity and emotion.

The make-up team's research of AIDS and its victims proved highly crutial. Their work on Tom Hanks was highly accurate to reality. There were no flaws to the physical symptoms, ranging from skin tone, changing hair color, lesions, and eyes.

"Philadelphia" is a great movie for those looking for a powerdrama. This is sure to please audience for many years to come.

This movie is very good. And it is a very sad movie as well, get your tissues ready.

Denzel steals the show here as a character resistant to growth, but who experiences it before our eyes. Just a terrific film.

All of the praise which this film has received and continues to receive is well-deserved. After seeing it again recently, however, I now think that the film's social issues have become, in the minds of many people, more important than its artistic issues whereas I see them as being of equal and inseparable importance. With all due respect to all the male AIDS victims when this film was cast, none of them could have achieved what Tom Hanks did in the role of Andrew Beckett. I presume to suggest, therefore, that this is a work of art which addresses truly serious issues which include but are not limited to AIDS within our society.

That said, the basic plot focuses on Beckett's wrongful termination by his law firm employer after its managing partner Charles Wheeler (Jason Robards, Jr.) and his senior associates learn that Beckett has AIDS. (He had not previously informed them.) He is represented in court by Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) who runs a highly-visible, high-volume firm which specializes in representation of individuals seeking damages such as those which result from automobile injuries. Miller is a homophobic when he first meets Beckett (who seeks him out) and declines to represent him. Later, he changes his mind for reasons which are best revealed in the film. All of the acting is first-rate. The film's dramatic impact is largely explained by the fact that Demme (with strong support by Hanks) was determined to treat an immensely complicated and sensitive situation with appropriate style, grace, taste, and respect. He and his associates succeeded.

Hanks received and deserved an Academy Award for best actor. My own opinion is that Neil Young deserved the Academy Award for best song which was awarded to Bruce Springsteen. Better yet, they should have called it a tie. Both deserved it. Given all the copy cat and sappy "music" which is composed for most films, Young's "Streets of Philadelphia" and Springsteen's "Philadelphia" are not only uniquely powerful but enduringly haunting. My favorite scene is the last one which allows extended emotional involvement of the audience. No dialogue. No theatrics. Given how Andy Beckett's personality and character are presented in the film, this is precisely the way he would want his story to end.