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Philadelphia
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Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks
  • Summary: Hailed as a landmark film that dazzles with deep emotion and exceptional acting, Philidelphia is the story of two competing lawyers who join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. And as their unlikely friendship develops, their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries. (Sony Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Christopher Matthews
    91
    Jonathan Demme's long-awaited Philadelphia is so expertly acted, well-meaning and gutsy that you find yourself constantly pulling for it to be the definitive AIDS movie. [14 Jan 1994, p.13]
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  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Angie Errigo
    60
    For all its weaker aspects, it is to be recommended as a denunciation of intolerence made with understanding, compassion, and some humour.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Howe
    10
    Directed by Jonathan Demme, and starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, this AIDS courtroom drama is so pumped full of nitrous oxide, you could get your teeth drilled on it.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Rumblebeelove
    9
    This movie has raw emotion and stellar performances from all of the actors involved. The subject matter is carried firmly and pulls no punches with the sadness that AIDS brings into people's lives. See this for Tom Hanks' amazing transformation, but also for Denzel Washington who's character has flaws and is perhaps the most realistic personification in the entire production.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. Rusty
    9
    This is a touching movie on a topic that at the time was swept to the background by society and the media. Demme et al were very brave to make this movie and will certainly stand the test of time for the way it is made and the issues that it tackles.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. CritiqueGirl
    4
    This movie was the beginning of the end for me going to the movies regularly. For such a serious drama it sure didn't make sense in that the ACLU didn't take the case. Please. With Tom Hanks in the witness chair I was saying to myself, "Just have him show the lesions." And so it happened. I hate knowing what will happen or what should happen. When the lights came up in the theater, everyone was sitting their silently and looking at one another puzzled and they were no doubt saying to one another what we were: "That movie stunk. Who said it was any good. It didn't make sense." And we are from Philadelphia. Not that the title had anything to do with the movie except it was set in Philadelphia. Over the years my movie going has tapered off to the point that I can go years without going to the movies. Then I go and never want to go again.… Expand
    • 1 of 2 users said yes

See all 7 User Reviews

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