Philadelphia (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), a young hotshot law grad from Penn, has a long career ahead of him 'til he discovers that he has AIDS in 'Philadelphia', directed by Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs). Choosing not to tell his conservative mentor at the law firm, Charles Wheeler (Jason Robards), of either his condition or his sexual orientation, Andrew presses on with his caseload as a senior associate, intending to fulfill his duties as long as he is healthy enough to do so. But with time, the crusty elder partners learn of his disease - fearful that they'll contract AIDS - & while their dismissal from their prestigious law firm is decided upon terms of his incompetence (bull sh*t), Andrew knows that his homosexuality/AIDS are the cause of it.
Bitterly disappointed, he takes his case to a plethora of lawyers, including the suave, but homophobic Joe Miller (Denzel Washington). None of them want to advocate/represent him for the wrongful firing until Miller has a change of heart; recognizing that discrimination of any kind is unwarranted. Throughout the various stages of the court battle, Miller meets Andrew's loving, accepting family (including a great Joanne Woodward), he meets Andrew's companion, Miguel (Antonio Banderas, excellent here), & from there, their unlikely friendship develops. And they work hard (while Andrew's condition worsens) to overcome the prejudice of their adversaries. Set in the dingy, unforgiving streets of the city of brotherly love, 'Philadelphia' aims to preach, teach & eradicate feelings of homophobia in today's day & age.
'Philadelphia' is definitely a Hollywood movie. It entertains (both dramatically, & even with a little humor). It's, at once, a courtroom drama, & a sentimental weepy. But it also does a wonderful job raising awareness & changing (if only a little) a national consciousness. Tom Hanks is an incredible actor, so it's easy to sympathize with the character he's playing here. But even if you don't approve of homosexuality, the film does a great job showing audiences the full spectrum of the disease of AIDS; the honesty of the situation; & educating notions of misplaced perversion (within Catholicism). Plot-wise, I'd say that the domestic scenes are better than the court scenes (Joe Miller encountering a gay student at Penn, Joe watching himself on TV, Andrew refusing AZT treatment at one stage of his illness, an opera scene). Some of the court scenes go on too long, but they're still involving.
Are the characterizations all multi-dimensional here? No. But they serve a distinct, powerful purpose within the plot. Tom Hanks gives an eye-opening performance as Beckett. I'll never forget one scene where he earnestly, hauntingly translates Maria Callas' aria 'La Momma Morta' while Joe (Denzel) looks on entranced. Andrew knows he may die soon, but he's trying to convey everything about his life (passion, love, music, the arts). And though that's a subdued scene, Hanks also brings great vibrancy to Andrew, as well. He's not a sap. And we pull for him because, gay or not, sick or not, he is a good human being. Denzel plays the thankless role of homophobic lawyer exceedingly well. He re-examines his bigotry about the gay community by seeing that they're all not alike. He is just exceptional. And like Hanks, his performance is all in the eyes.
It's also fascinating to see how the physical space btwn. Andrew & Joe widens once Andrew reveals his illness to him. But late in the proceedings: at a library, in court, & culminating at the hospital, Joe is honored to stand close beside him, even lift his oxygen mask to touch him. Watching the literal & emotional transformation unfold is poignant, to say the least. Jason Robards makes for a stunning villain. And his performance on the witness stand (when he knows he's in the wrong, & literally has nothing left to say) is very memorable. His elongated expression is worth a 1,000 words. Mary Steenburgen is suitably loathsome as the Me-Me-Me prosecuting attorney. All said & done, it's a well directed, superbly acted, entertaining, compelling, patriotic, timely & emotionally-moving film that can potentially change lives. 'Philadelphia' is one of the best films of 1993.
Bitterly disappointed, he takes his case to a plethora of lawyers, including the suave, but homophobic Joe Miller (Denzel Washington). None of them want to advocate/represent him for the wrongful firing until Miller has a change of heart; recognizing that discrimination of any kind is unwarranted. Throughout the various stages of the court battle, Miller meets Andrew's loving, accepting family (including a great Joanne Woodward), he meets Andrew's companion, Miguel (Antonio Banderas, excellent here), & from there, their unlikely friendship develops. And they work hard (while Andrew's condition worsens) to overcome the prejudice of their adversaries. Set in the dingy, unforgiving streets of the city of brotherly love, 'Philadelphia' aims to preach, teach & eradicate feelings of homophobia in today's day & age.
'Philadelphia' is definitely a Hollywood movie. It entertains (both dramatically, & even with a little humor). It's, at once, a courtroom drama, & a sentimental weepy. But it also does a wonderful job raising awareness & changing (if only a little) a national consciousness. Tom Hanks is an incredible actor, so it's easy to sympathize with the character he's playing here. But even if you don't approve of homosexuality, the film does a great job showing audiences the full spectrum of the disease of AIDS; the honesty of the situation; & educating notions of misplaced perversion (within Catholicism). Plot-wise, I'd say that the domestic scenes are better than the court scenes (Joe Miller encountering a gay student at Penn, Joe watching himself on TV, Andrew refusing AZT treatment at one stage of his illness, an opera scene). Some of the court scenes go on too long, but they're still involving.
Are the characterizations all multi-dimensional here? No. But they serve a distinct, powerful purpose within the plot. Tom Hanks gives an eye-opening performance as Beckett. I'll never forget one scene where he earnestly, hauntingly translates Maria Callas' aria 'La Momma Morta' while Joe (Denzel) looks on entranced. Andrew knows he may die soon, but he's trying to convey everything about his life (passion, love, music, the arts). And though that's a subdued scene, Hanks also brings great vibrancy to Andrew, as well. He's not a sap. And we pull for him because, gay or not, sick or not, he is a good human being. Denzel plays the thankless role of homophobic lawyer exceedingly well. He re-examines his bigotry about the gay community by seeing that they're all not alike. He is just exceptional. And like Hanks, his performance is all in the eyes.
It's also fascinating to see how the physical space btwn. Andrew & Joe widens once Andrew reveals his illness to him. But late in the proceedings: at a library, in court, & culminating at the hospital, Joe is honored to stand close beside him, even lift his oxygen mask to touch him. Watching the literal & emotional transformation unfold is poignant, to say the least. Jason Robards makes for a stunning villain. And his performance on the witness stand (when he knows he's in the wrong, & literally has nothing left to say) is very memorable. His elongated expression is worth a 1,000 words. Mary Steenburgen is suitably loathsome as the Me-Me-Me prosecuting attorney. All said & done, it's a well directed, superbly acted, entertaining, compelling, patriotic, timely & emotionally-moving film that can potentially change lives. 'Philadelphia' is one of the best films of 1993.