Philadelphia (Anniversary Edition)

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: Human Beings
Review: The movie Philadelphia, by Johnathan Demme, displays the struggle a homosexual man infected with AIDS encounters in obtaining justice because he was unfairly fired from his job. Andy Beckett, played by Tom Hanks, seeks a lawyer to defend his case. Joe Miller, played by Denzel Washington, is the lawyer who defends Andy Beckett. Miller is a character who the viewers can relate to because he is homophobic and has a great fear about AIDS. The disease was not well known in the early nineties when the film was made, and Miller expressed the same fears of the public. Joe Miller learned how to put his personal feelings aside and defend the law. Although he does not agree with homosexuality and has a fear of the AIDS virus, Miller learned to look past those emotions and defend a homosexual man with AIDS to ensure that the law was upheld through justice. Philadelphia is an excellent movie because the viewers can relate to the characters and learn from their experiences with homosexuality and AIDS.

Joe Miller is a public defense lawyer who takes pride in his work. He is up for any challenge and rarely refuses to defend a client. Andy Beckett walks into Miller's office one day, seeking a lawyer. Miller is startled by Beckett's appearance because he looks ill and has a few lesions on his face. They shake hands, but Miller is extremely cautious about everything Andy touches. Andy Beckett introduces himself and explains to Miller that his employer fired him because he lost a serious document. Beckett wants to sue the corporation because he believes that he was fired out of prejudice. Miller asks what the prejudice is, and Andy says that the prejudice was against AIDS. Miller is afraid of the AIDS virus and does not wish to defend Andy. Andy is disturbed by Miller's refusal, but kindly departs the office.

The doctor Miller saw directly after the meeting with Andy Beckett attempted to assure Miller that AIDS cannot be contracted through a hand shake or touch, it is only contracted through sexual encounters. Miller is still disturbed by the thought of AIDS, though, because he has a family to worry about. The fear of this disease, however, did not stop Miller from thinking about Andy. Miller is dedicated to the law and does not like to see unjust acts, but he did not know how to overcome his fear of Andy's virus. He tried to convince himself that he denied Andy because he did not agree with homosexuality, but the truth is that he could not face his fear. Many citizens of the United States had the same fear of AIDS in the late eighties and early nineties due to the rising number of outbreaks. Scientists and doctors could not figure out a cure for this and people panicked. The majority of outbreaks occurred in homosexual couples and people referred to the disease as the "gay plague" or "gay cancer". Thus, hatred formed against homosexual people. Miller displays this hatred in the movie.

One day Miller is in the library reviewing material. He sees Andy a few tables over. A clerk is asking Andy if he would like to go to a private room after he brings him novels about AIDS. Andy does not want to go to a private room and a small argument arises. Miller walks over to Andy and starts talking to him. The clerk leaves and a few people around him move to other tables. Miller could not let his fear hold him back any longer. He helps Andy research and decides to defend him in court. A man's legal rights are more important than his personal situation. Miller puts aside the fact that Andy is homosexual, and learns to focus on his rights rather than his AIDS.

As Miller grows close to Andy, he learns more about himself. Throughout the case Andy becomes more and more ill. Instead of being afraid of Andy as he was in the beginning, Miller is compassionate for him and the illness with which he struggles. Miller is not cautious about touching Andy or being around his homosexual friends. He learns to accept Andy for who he is and respect him as a human being. Miller sets an example for society to follow. The public needs to stop blaming homosexuals for the AIDS virus and learn about the disease. Homosexual people also need to be treated as every other human being and society needs to learn how to accept them. Miller proves that these acts can be accomplished in this movie.

Philadelphia is a strong movie because it demonstrates two serious issues that citizens of the United States face. Homosexuality and AIDS arose abruptly and many people panicked out of fear of the unknown. The easy way out was to hate homosexuals because they were believed to be the cause of this disease as Miller did in the movie. People merely needed to educate themselves on AIDS and get to know homosexuals. They would discover that homosexuals are human beings just like everyone else and that the AIDS virus cannot be contracted through touch. Joe Miller set an example for Americans to follow in the movie Philadelphia.

Rating:
Summary: Demme Opens Our Minds, Our Hearts, Our Eyes, and.. the Door
Review: This review refers to the Columbia TriStar DVD edition of "Philadelphia"....

In 1993 Jonathan Demme had many critics eating their words, as this breakthrough film dealing openly with Gays and AIDS become a box-office smash. Audiences were more savvy, then they were given credit for. Demme brings us a story that is stirring, heartwarming and intellegent. One that opened our eyes, hearts and minds to this devastating illness and the community it so affected.

Tom Hanks plays a brillant attorney, working for a top law firm, who seems to be on top of the world. He is not however, on top of the world. This young brillant attorney has been sticken with the AIDS virus, and when his symptoms begin to emerge, he is fired from the firm. The reason he is given for his removal from the company..."an attitude problem".

After many attempts to gain legal counsel, to help him fight the firm in a discrimination suit, he finally gets some help from an unlikely source. Denzel Washington is an attorney of another sort. He's "That TV Guy", a personal injury lawyer, who has not only gone up against Hanks in court, but is also a bit of a homophobic himself.

So we watch, mesmerized, as surrounded by the love and support of his family, and his lover(Antonio Banderas), he fights as the disease progresses, and as they fight this landmark case in court. Another transformation that is remarkable to view is that of Denzel Washington, opening his mind and heart As he gains an understanding to his clients lifestyle and the disease itself.

The Cast is no less than brillant.Hanks recieved Best Actor from Oscar as well as The Golden Globes and The Berlin Film Festival. It also includes Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards and Mary Steenburgen. Some critics, again, thought that the lead characters were wrong for the part. They likened that having Hanks and Banderas playing homosexuals, is the same as having whites play black roles. However, I personally feel that Demme made the wise decision as this film, the first of it's kind, was a story that needed to be told, and told well. Using Box Office draws, brought the audiences in. They not only loved the film but were gifted with a new awareness and understanding. So Five Stars to Director Demme for opening the door.

You may also remember the wonderful music that came out of this film. Bruce Springsteen recieved an Oscar for Best Original Song("The Streets of Philadelphia"), and also was honored with a Grammy and a Golden Globe. There is also the beautiful closing song by Neil Young "Philadelphia", a terrific socre by Howard Shore and we are also treated to some beautiful music by Mozart and Giordano.

The DVD is presented in Widescreen(Anamorphic), the sharpness and clarity of the picture is excellent. The sound, also excellent,has the choice of Dolby Dig 5.1 or Surround, go to the set-up for this. It may be viewed in French and Spanish, and has subtitiles in Spanish and Korean. On the back of the case(mine anyway) it says there are some production notes, I was unable to locate these in the menu. There are no other Special Features.

This is a film, that defines courage in every sense. It is a film that you may even see the toughest of men wiping a little tear from their eye. It's okay guys, go ahead, we LIKE that!

Thanks and enjoy.....Laurie

Rating:
Summary: I'd give it 10 stars if it was possible!
Review: Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington deliver the most sublime, superlative, stupendous performances of their acting careers in this emotional powderkeg story about the prejudice and injustice which not only contaminate a million dollar Philadelphia law firm, but which also permeate society in general.

Hanks and Washington received many deserved kudos and plaudits for their portrayals of the 2 lawyers in this film. Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, a gay, AIDS infected corporate attorney who is fired from his position at a prestigious law office for supposed incompetence. Washington portrays Joe Miller, a small time ambulance chaser who, when he reluctantly consents to represent Beckett in a rafter rattling wrongful dismissal lawsuit, is compelled to confront his own feelings and misconceptions, not only towards homosexuality and AIDS, but toward everything and everyone in this world which is perceived to be different.

Prior to this offering, Tom Hanks had a large stable of fans who admired and appreciated his comic efforts in movies such as "Splash," "Big," and "A League Of Their Own." But in this film, a film that was literally crying out to be created, he proved that as an actor, he has great versatility and can be cast in a wide variety of roles. There can be no argument that this is his finest performance, and for those that love this movie, his Oscar is merely the icing on the cake.

Undoubtedly controversial, "Philadelphia" is a haunting picture which will make the viewer think. And cry. And think again.