Film Snail

Philadelphia
Philadelphia

7.7

Philadelphia

PG-13·1993·126m

Summary

Two competing lawyers join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.

Cast

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks

Andrew Beckett

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington

Joe Miller

Jason Robards

Jason Robards

Charles Wheeler

Mary Steenburgen

Mary Steenburgen

Belinda Conine

Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas

Miguel Alvarez

Ron Vawter

Ron Vawter

Bob Seidman

Robert Ridgely

Robert Ridgely

Walter Kenton

Charles Napier

Charles Napier

Judge Garnett

Lisa Summerour

Lisa Summerour

Lisa Miller

Obba Babatundé

Obba Babatundé

Jerome Green

Andre B. Blake

Andre B. Blake

Young Man in Pharmacy

Robert W. Castle

Robert W. Castle

Bud Beckett

Daniel Chapman

Daniel Chapman

Clinic Storyteller

Roger Corman

Roger Corman

Mr. Laird

Ann Dowd

Ann Dowd

Jill Beckett

David Drake

Bruno

Karen Finley

Karen Finley

Dr. Gillman

Charles Glenn

Kenneth Killcoyne

Peter Jacobs

Peter / Mona Lisa

Paul Lazar

Paul Lazar

Dr. Klenstein

John Bedford Lloyd

John Bedford Lloyd

Matt Beckett

Roberta Maxwell

Roberta Maxwell

Judge Tate

Warren Miller

Warren Miller

Mr. Finley

Harry Northup

Harry Northup

Juror

Dan Olmstead

Dan Olmstead

Randy Beckett

Joey Perillo

Joey Perillo

Filko

Lauren Roselli

Lauren Roselli

Iris

Anna Deavere Smith

Anna Deavere Smith

Anthea Burton

Lisa Talerico

Shelby

Daniel von Bargen

Daniel von Bargen

Jury Foreman

Tracey Walter

Tracey Walter

Librarian

Bradley Whitford

Bradley Whitford

Jamey Collins

Chandra Wilson

Chandra Wilson

Chandra

Kathryn Witt

Melissa Benedict

Joanne Woodward

Joanne Woodward

Sarah Beckett

Buzz Kilman

Crutches

Mark Sorensen Jr.

Clinic Patient

Jeffrey Williamson

Tyrone

Stephanie Roth Haberle

Stephanie Roth Haberle

Rachel Smilow

Bill Rowe

Dr. Armbruster

Ford Wheeler

Alan

Julius Erving

Julius Erving

Himself

Adam LeFevre

Adam LeFevre

Jill's Husband

Gary Goetzman

Gary Goetzman

Guido Paonessa

Kenneth Utt

Kenneth Utt

Juror

Lawrence T. Wrentz

Lawrence T. Wrentz

Juror

Charles Techman

Charles Techman

Ralph Peterson

Jim Roche

Not Adam and Steve

Tony Fitzpatrick

Bartender

Gene Borkan

Gene Borkan

Bailiff

Q Lazzarus

Party singer

Lucas Platt

Robert

José Castillo

Miguel's Dad

Roy Blount Jr.

Partygoer (uncredited)

Bob Bowersox

Bob Bowersox

PR Director (uncredited)

Quentin Crisp

Quentin Crisp

Guest at Party (uncredited)

Tom Detrik

Reporter (uncredited)

Tony Devon

Tony Devon

Security Guard (uncredited)

Tak Fujimoto

Tak Fujimoto

Doctor (uncredited)

Ana Leza

Guest (uncredited)

Jaime Gomez

Jaime Gomez

Guy in Library (uncredited)

Elizabeth Roby

Elizabeth Beckett

Crew

Director

Jonathan Demme

Writer

Ron Nyswaner

Reviews

John Chard

John Chard

November 11, 2019

9

What do you love about the law, Andrew?

Andrew Beckett is a gay lawyer infected with AIDS, who in spite of being his law firm's rising star, is fired on a trumped up charge of negligence. Refusing to accept defeat, Andrew manages to enlist the help of homophobic lawyer Joe Miller, whom it's hoped, can prove that the firm acted disgracefully out of fear of Andrew's illness. But can Joe throw off his own prejudice? Can Andrew keep it together as AIDS starts to take a hold?

Philadelphia was the film to really bring the horrors of AIDS to the masses. Though certainly not the first film to deal with the subject, films such as "An Early Frost (1985)" and "As Is (1986)" had led the way, Philadelphia is certainly the most memorable of all the mainstream films dealing with the subject.

As the years have rolled by, the film's standing has waned some what, gays have renounced the film as over sentimental gloop and various other cinema critics have accused the film of confusing its aims. The truth is that Philadelphia is only really guilty of playing it safe. Andrew Beckett is clearly wronged, and he's clearly a lovely and special man, supported by a complete and loyal loving family. It's the character set up that never really puts the film in any real danger of becoming edgy, even the strand dealing with homophobia is only briefly given credence. However, where the makers do achieve their aims, is with the emotional aspects, something that lifts Philadelphia to a far higher plain in the pantheon of emotional kickers.

The tone of the film is set courtesy of Bruce Springsteen's Oscar winning "Streets Of Philadelphia", which acts as a sombre portent of things to come during the opening credit sequence. From here on in the story is content with gnawing away at our heart strings and breaking down prejudice barriers in the name of fair play and adult fallibility's. Part court room drama and part human tragedy, Philadelphia is never found wanting in the engrossing department, something that is in no small amount due to the work of a firing on all cylinders cast.

Tom Hanks is always pretty safe company to be in as a rule, but tackling the role of Andrew Beckett required much more than merely charm and a homely appeal. Hanks, winning his first Best Actor Oscar, steps up to the plate here and delivers one of the best performances of the 90s. As AIDS ravages his body and soul, Hanks as Andrew reaches deep down within and has the audience with him all the way through his ordeal. Alongside Hanks is Denzel Washington as Joe, who if anything has the more prickly role to contend with. It's probably not much of a surprise to most followers of his to say he's on his usual great form here, with a shift in his character's fortitude showcasing the best of the New Yorker's ability. Rounding out the cast, and with equally fine performances are Jason Robards, Joanne Woodward, Robert Ridgely, Mary Steenburgen and Antonio Banderas. Then as surely as Springsteen's opener had set the mood, Neil Young closes the film down with his own heart achingly brilliant "Philadelphia", playing alongside some video footage that finally seals the deal as to why Philadelphia as a movie exists.

Revisits to the film show up its minor flaws, but as someone who remembers how he, and the other multi sexed audience reacted on leaving the cinema back in 1993, it's the kind of impact that to my mind can never be understated. 9/10

Media

Status:

Released

Original Language:

English

Budget:

$26,000,000.00

Revenue:

$206,678,440.00

Keywords

philadelphia, pennsylvania
court
jurors
aids
pennsylvania, usa
homophobia
lawsuit
partner
hiv
lawyer
dying
lgbt
discrimination
angry
judiciary
1980s
somber
courtroom drama
anxious
gay theme
cautionary
critical
antagonistic
celebratory
empathetic