Rating: 
Summary: One of the best movies ever made.
Review: Tom Hanks really deserved that oscar, Im so glad he won it. He is one of my favorite actors. the way he portrayed his character in this movie was superb. If you like a good cry, or even if you dont, I suggest you see it. I have never cried during a movie, but I was very close to crying the first time I saw this movie. That has only ever happened once before. (While at the movies watching "Jack" with Robin Williams in it.)Now I normally dont like sad movies, but Philadelphia is an exeption. Ive added it to my list of movies I absolutly love and watch over and over again. (Some other movies in my list include: Interview With The Vampire[my favorite], Austin Powers, The Object Of My Affection, The Birdcage and Twister.) As I said before- Philadelphia is one of the greatest movies ever made.
Rating:
Summary: pretty good and well done movie
Review: Ihave seen this movie several time cause the director,MR Hank and Mr.Washington were perfect and their roll,I THINK its shown a good message for the rest of the world,doesnt matter if you are a gay o whatever you are,you dont have to be descriminated for what you are.nobody as the right to do so but unfortunally this type of things usually happend from time to time .
Rating:
Summary: This is one of my favorite movies of all time!!
Review: Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington were deffinatly made for this movie. It was gripping from the beginning all the way to the end. The color scheme during the opera scene was as dramatic as ever. This movie made me laugh and cry...I recommend it to everyone because it will really move you.
Rating: 
Summary: very sad
Review: I thought the movie was realkly good until they got to the part where there was a lot of opera singing. That part could've been left out of the movie.
Rating:
Summary: The Oscar Winning Philadelphia with Hanks
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Touching, Emotional Portrayal of AIDS Discrimination
Review: The first feature film to bring the horrible AIDS crisis to light. Tom Hanks ("That Thing You Do", "You've Got Mail") is exceptional as the AIDS stricken Attorney who files a wrongful dismissal suit against his prestigious law firm. Brings to light the horrible consequences of how society was dealing with AIDS (and more importantly, gay people with AIDS) in the early 90's. We've come quite a ways since, but still have far to go. Features Denzel Washington & Antonio Banderas ("Evita"). Ironically, a short time after the movie was released, a real-life case similar to the one in the movie occurred in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. The movie is a well-written, well-acted emotional roller-coaster ride through issues of love, hate, family-relations and pride. The most moving piece for my father (my parents saw this in the theatre before I did) was the scene featuring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington with the striking classical music. The soundtrack for the film alone is touching and poignant.
Rating:
Summary: A Powerful and Moving Film
Review: Tom Hanks stars in this provocative drama about a lawyer who is dismissed from his high-profile law firm under suspicious circumstances. Hanks stars as Andrew Beckett, a highly successful lawyer in a prominent Philadelphia law firm headed by Charles Wheeler (Jason Robards). Andrew is given a very lucrative account to handle, but his paperwork for the case mysteriously disappears moments before the case is to begin, and to make matters worse, the Statute of Limitations is about to run out. Fortunately, the paperwork is found in time, but Andrew, as a result of this mishap, ends up falling out of favor with his senior partners, but is there more than meets the eye?
Andrew is dismissed by his firm for nearly fouling up the case, but Andrew beleives that there are other reasons for his firing, so he decides to fight his dismissal in court. He seeks the help of attorney Joe Miller, played magnificently by Denzel Washington. Unknown to the conservative Miller, Andrew is infected with the AIDS virus. Andrew believes that this is the real reason that he was fired, not the botched legal case. However, Miller is very reluctant to help Andrew. Miller fits the classic "homophobic" stereotype; all homosexuals are "bad", they should be locked up, etc. Undeterred, Andrew decides to fight his case on his own.
One night while studying at a local law library, Andrew and Joe meet up once again. The two begin to talk, and Joe begins to ask questions about Andrew's case. After much consideration, Joe decides to represent Andrew, and, as the movie goes along, a very strong friendship develops between the two. Despite their friendship, will Joe be able to help Andrew win his lawsuit, or will the large firm and their high profile and high-priced lawyers win in the end?
This is an excellent movie. I'm a big Tom Hanks fan, and I've seen many of his other films ("Saving Private Ryan, "Apollo 13", etc), but he gives his best dramatic performance in "Philadelphia". Watching the way that the AIDS virus progresses during the course of the movie is very dramatic and very effective. The scene where Andrew raises his shirt in the courtroom to expose the leisions on his chest is especially dramatic. The medical aspects of the disease are handled well throughout the film. Andrew's fall in the courtroom is extremely gripping to see.
Denzel Washington's character of Joe Miller deserves as much praise as Hanks' charater of Andrew. Washington does an excellent job of playing a homophobic person confronted with the responsibility of defending a homosexual. It's enlightening to watch Joe's transformation from homophobe in the beginning of the film to trusted friend and colleague at the end. His courtroom scenes and examination of witnesses are high points of the movie.
The supporting actors (Jason Robards as Charles Wheeler and Antonio Banderas as Miguel) give powerful performances as well. I especially liked Robards. He did a fantastic job of portraying the prototypical "tough and by the book" lawyer. In the end, however, it was his close-mindedness that was his downfall.
I give this movie my highest recommendation. The acting and story is first-rate and the message is very powerful; friendship and belief in what you are doing can overcome any obstacle.
Rating: 
Summary: No day in the park
Review: This is one of those topic movies that needs to be made to articulate an issue, but my God is it depressing. I don't even like to remember the sad scenes that make up the movie; Tom Hanks struggling to fit in while his coworkers first shun and then fire him is enough to bum anyone out. The powerful performances enhance this gloominess, and there is no heartstring left unplayed by the filmmakers. I feel guilty about giving this such a mediocre rating, but I just wouldn't recommend it to anyone who didn't need to be taught a lesson about discrimination against HIV positive people.
Rating:
Summary: On the streets of Philadelphia
Review: Back in 1993, AIDS had been in the forefront of the news and everyone's minds for quite a while. Still, a major Hollywood movie still hadn't dealt with the subject matter. Sure we had some incredible films like "Longtime Companion" and the stunning "Parting Glances" (both which I highly recommend as truly visionary cinema), but they were more independent and not likely seen by mainstream audiences. Finally, with the foresight of Jonathan Demme, and the star power of Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, Philadephia roared onto the screens and into our hearts. And now, finally, we have a DVD treatment that this movie truly deserves.
Andrew Beckett, high priced lawyer of a top Pennsylvania law firm, suffers from AIDS quietly at the beginning of the film. A lesion betrays his secret quickly, leading to his dismissal. Firing back, Beckett attempts to secure the services of Joe Miller, a personal injury lawyer with an everyman reputation. At first rejecting his offer and even pouring salt in his wounds by mocking him, Miller is converted to the cause after witnessing subtle discrimination in a library. It is through Miller that everyone can approach this story, and it is through Beckett that we learn dignity and we learn pain.
Much as been said about Tom Hanks' Academy Award winning performance as Beckett, and Denzel Washington's wonderful portrayal as Miller. Together, the two are an acting powerhouse, both equally dynamic and compelling in their characters. One can only wish they would team up again sometime in the future. At any rate, they are supported by a fine ensemble, starting with the late Jason Robards to the rarely seen and much missed Joanne Woodward, whose performance will reduce you to tears in seconds.
Included in this DVD package are several documentaries detailing the development of the movie. The director's and writer's commentaries shed wonderful light into the process that went into making the movie. The few deleted scenes are wonderful to see, especially during a "settlement" negotiation between the parties. One very poignant thing mentioned in the documentary were the number of people suffering with AIDS that were employed in this movie, both in front of and behind the scenes. Very touching.
But this isn't just a movie about AIDS. This is a movie that soars above the simple "movie of the week" syndrome, and dares to address such things as tolerance, acceptance, getting over your fears, and welcoming people for who they are. It's amazing how relevant and meaningful those messages are today. In a climate of unacceptance and intolerance to others, hopefully Philadelphia's essential meanings will continue to ring as a bell of Liberty, and not just in the streets of the town of Brotherly Love.
Rating:
Summary: A startling and gripping performance by both
Review: One of the great films of the last quarter century, it is about time that this movie comes to DVD as a special edition. This is definitely one of Denzel Washington's best performances, but I have to believe that has a lot to do with the fact that the best actor of our time, Tom Hanks, played the starring role. The interaction between both actors, and the beautiful characters they create, bring more goosebump worthy scenes to the screen than any movie has the right to have. In what I consider to be Tom Hanks' single greatest scene of his career, I watched a moment that truly made me forget where I was. Washington plays an ambulance-chaser who takes Hanks' lawsuit over AIDS discrimination, against his better judgement. The opera scene, where Tom Hanks, walking around his apartment with an IV bag, explains to Washington about the pain and emotional struggle of a fictional character in an opera. This scene is absolute perfection. From the camera angles, to the lighting, to the performance by both actors, true emotion pouring through their skin to the very screen itself. This scene has no peer. The film is a great creation, from beginning to end, but, it is a must-own for anyone, purely because of this one moment. Anyone associated with filmmaking, from writers to directors to actors, should order this DVD as soon as possible and study the passion and humanity involved in the making of this film.
|
