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 .. Read more
| Starring | Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen |
|---|---|
| Director | Jonathan Demme |
| Genres | Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
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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, All Movie Guide
| Starring | Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Antonio Banderas, Tracey Walter, Joanne Woodward |
|---|---|
| Director | Jonathan Demme |
| Studio | COLUMBIA TRI-STAR HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs |
| Certificate |  |
| Genres | Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | Production year: 1993 To Rent: DVD: not available To Buy: DVD: 26 May 1998 |
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A feel-good film about AIDS, set within a standard Hollywood courtroom drama; it is well made and absorbing, given its limits.
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Worthy but moving
Whatever you think of this film Tom Hanks does an outstanding job as the lawyer with AIDS who sues his firm when they fire him. For its time it was ... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
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Great film!!
Still a brilliant film - Even though its almost 28 years old. Loved it!!
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moving film about aids virus.
This is a really good film . How the the deadly virus A.I.D.S effects everyone , from themselves trying to live with it , thier partners to family and how it ... read more »
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A must see!
This was pretty well done I thought. Characters were likable and was though-provoking about the discrimination that still exists even though the film is going ... read more »
It’s easy to look up to Liam Neeson – he’s 6’4, so it’s hard to do anything but look up to him. He towers over most of his costars and when he fights – which has been increasingly often of late – his opponents seem to just bounce off him. He’s a big guy and he fills the screen, but those shrewd, concerned eyes are surrounded by a web of warm, friendly wrinkles… He’s not the sort of tough guy who thinks he’s got anything to prove Read more
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Philadelphia - Bonus Disc
47% from 13 members
