Philadelphia

Name: Philadelphia
Genre: Drama
Released: December 23, 1993
Duration: 125 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks

1993

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Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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PHILADELPHIA

Movie Details & Credits

TriStar Pictures | Release Date: December 23, 1993

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)

Director: Jonathan Demme

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 125 min

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Critic Reviews

Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Christopher Matthews

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]

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

The story is timely and powerful, and the performances of Hanks and Washington assure that the characters will not immediately vanish into obscurity. Read full review

Variety - Todd McCarthy

On a scene-by-scene basis, in terms of performance and the grave issues under consideration, the film is quite absorbing. Read full review

Washington Post - Rita Kempley

It's less like a film by Demme than the best of Frank Capra. It is not just canny, corny and blatantly patriotic, but compassionate, compelling and emotionally devastating. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Marjorie Baumgarten

Still, Philadelphia is comprised of enough “little moments” that provide all the richness and grace we need to get us past the film's more inelegant moments. Primary here are the transcendent lead performances by Hanks and Washington, both of whom are, at all times, exciting to watch. Read full review

Christian Science Monitor - Staff (Not Credited)

Demme's filmmaking makes up in sincerity what it lacks in originality, and he gets a remarkable amount of emotional mileage from simple close-ups of expressive faces. [24 Dec 1993]

Washington Post - Desson Howe

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. Read full review

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User Reviews

Compi24

Nov 28, 2012

"Philadelphia" is the story of Andrew Beckett (Hanks), a promising young lawyer at an upscale law firm. When the homosexual Beckett suddenly contracts AIDS he is fired unfairly fired from his workplace. Beckett then seeks the help of a small time homophobic lawyer, Joe Miller (Washington),"Philadelphia" is the story of Andrew Beckett (Hanks), a promising young lawyer at an upscale law firm. When the homosexual Beckett suddenly contracts AIDS he is fired unfairly fired from his workplace. Beckett then seeks the help of a small time homophobic lawyer, Joe Miller (Washington), to establish a wrongful dismissal case. Now from initial premise and the fact that I had heard Tom Hanks earned a Best Actor Oscar for his performance, I was expecting a fairly memorable movie. And I got one. Tom Hanks delivers one of his best and most moving performances with his portrayal of Beckett. Probably one of the most dynamic roles I've ever seen Hanks take on. He starts out as such a vibrant young man, yet as the film progresses, Beckett's illness does as well. Consequently, the audience witnesses the decline of a seemingly healthy man to a man who's body has been ravaged by an incurable disease. It's really quite heartbreaking. Tom Hanks worked well for this Oscar. Along side Hanks is Washington, who also gives a fine performance as the conflicted lawyer Miller. Like Beckett, Miller goes through a significant change as well - only his soul changes, not his health. It's really quite interesting to see Washington and Hanks work together on screen, as I've never seen it happen in any other film. The film also features a very well written script and a very nice direction from Jonathon Demme. The ending of this film is really quite something, and. . .yeah, I'll say it - the conclusion of this film was really intense for me to watch. Pretty emotional stuff. Overall I felt that "Philadelphia" is a poignant tale that succeeds in addressing many issues that have often been neglected in our time. I felt that it was filled to the brim with fine performances and palpable pathos. It's a great movie that I won't soon forget. Awesome.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rumblebeelove

Nov 6, 2011

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 characterThis 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

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

JayH.

Sep 23, 2009

Very powerful drama, beautifully and sensitively acted by Tom Hanks. Fine supporting cast. It's a sad film, but it doesn't leave the viewer depressed. Good direction and screenplay, well photographed and an excellent score.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MovieGuys

Jun 18, 2014

Philadelphia is a smart, confident AIDS drama that is a very important movie in raising awareness of this horrible disease. Hanks provides a powerhouse performance, and Denzel is amazing as well. However, it's the nuances that make this film a bit off-target sometimes; the awkwardPhiladelphia is a smart, confident AIDS drama that is a very important movie in raising awareness of this horrible disease. Hanks provides a powerhouse performance, and Denzel is amazing as well. However, it's the nuances that make this film a bit off-target sometimes; the awkward transitions from some scenes to scenes are treated like an 80's sitcom would, the beginning of the movie doesn't clearly portray if Hanks' character knows he has AIDS or not, the musical score can be a bit jaunty at times when it should be serious, and even the opening credit typeface acts like this is going to be New Jack City, not a powerful, emotional AIDS drama. Despite these little kinks, this is one must-see film, even if it is just for Tom Hanks' visceral, electrifying, Oscar-winning performance.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

jimmytancredi

May 29, 2011

It's a good movie. It should reveal the fact that some characters are caricatured as defense attorney, the exaggeration of torture by which the character of Tom Hanks is in court, among other things. It is even more important It and relevant all the context of prejudices that come behindIt's a good movie. It should reveal the fact that some characters are caricatured as defense attorney, the exaggeration of torture by which the character of Tom Hanks is in court, among other things. It is even more important It and relevant all the context of prejudices that come behind AIDS and a host of problems that are well discussed. The disease, when discovered and known to few in the 1980s, fit in socially the gays in a kneecap perverse and that still remains in the heads closer. That is the importance of the film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tss5078

Aug 3, 2014

Philadelphia will always hold a place in cinematic history, as it is the first major film to really address the discrimination against Aids and Homosexuality. It also was the beginning of Tom Hanks amazing run of Academy nominated film, that may never be duplicated. The message of the filmPhiladelphia will always hold a place in cinematic history, as it is the first major film to really address the discrimination against Aids and Homosexuality. It also was the beginning of Tom Hanks amazing run of Academy nominated film, that may never be duplicated. The message of the film comes across loud and clear, but not quite in the way that the film's producers intended. Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) was a top attorney with one of Philadelphia's top law firms, when all of a sudden he's fired. Beckett believes he was set up and fired because he has Aids, but can he prove it in court? As the film goes, it is easy to see the discrimination and stereotypes that Beckett has to face on a daily basis, and weather or not you accept homosexuality, it's powerful ending will make you feel for the plight of any homosexual who suffers from this horrible disease. The majority of this film takes place in the courtroom and centers around Beckett's case against his former employer, and as someone who has studied the law, I can tell you that the case destroyed the merits of this film. There are things that both sides do, that would never be allowed in a court of law, and in my opinion neither side really makes it's case. As far as the legal aspect of this trial goes, it is very subjective and would never lead to the verdict that was handed down. As for the stars of this film, they are the ones that make it as powerful as it was. Hanks gives a performance that was absolutely worthy of the best actor award, as following him and his story is really what gave the film it's reputation. Quite ingeniously, Hanks is paired with Denzel Washington, who plays his attorney. Washington's character is meant to represent how much of the audience felt at that time, as even while representing Beckett, he speaks out about Aids and Homosexuality. The more he works to represent Beckett, the more you can see his attitude change, the same way the audiences attitudes change as the film moves alone. I loved Philadelphia for it's performances and it's message, but as far as the story goes, the trial is the majority of the film, and the trial is completely unbelievable. In my opinion the trial takes away much of the film credibility. The issue and the case should have been more clear cut and the legality of it all should have been easier for the audience to understand. That being said, if you choose to watch this film, you will be hard pressed to find better performances by a better cast, but the story will leave you feeling somewhat incomplete.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Broyax

Mar 8, 2018

Un film à procès procédurier qui défend une "grande cause" et dénonce les injustices et discriminations comme on peut en voir de temps à autre dans le cinéma américain. C'est donc long, lent et avec pas mal de guimauve même si je trouve qu'ils auraient pu faire mieux en la matièreUn film à procès procédurier qui défend une "grande cause" et dénonce les injustices et discriminations comme on peut en voir de temps à autre dans le cinéma américain. C'est donc long, lent et avec pas mal de guimauve même si je trouve qu'ils auraient pu faire mieux en la matière (c'est-à-dire encore plus de guimauve, car on reste sur sa faim).

Evidemment, le film s'abîme rapidement dans la caricature à l'insu de son plein gré, puis c'est un défilé de clichés et de fausse dignité auxquels les acteurs participent plus qu'ils ne devraient, accentuant encore le côté superficiel de ces chevaliers servants de la justice sociale qui rétabliront l'ordre et les mentalités à coups de millions de dollars d'indemnités.

Pourtant, le dossier reste bancal et ambigü et le film se prend les pieds dans le tapis avec l'avocat nettement homophobe qui s'en va défendre l'homosexuel atteint du SIDA... malgré son homophobie sévèrement ancrée. Oui, on nous prend vraiment pour des jambons dans ce film et on ne s'en cache même pas.

Tom Hanks est comme de coutume excellent mais sombre dans la surenchère alors que Denzel Washington, peu convaincant comme à son habitude, est pris dans les contradictions de son personnage invraisemblable qui n'a pas même l'appât du gain et/ou de l'éclairage médiatique pour excuses.

Voilà donc un film moralisateur à la petite semaine, au mieux abrutissant et au pire tout simplement ridicule.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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