Attorney of Philadelphia

Philadelphia

Description

A young Philadelphia lawyer with AIDS is the victim of irrational fear of the disease and fights back in the courts where even his own attorney is pho

Philadelphia wasn't the first movie about AIDS (it followed such worthy independent films as Parting Glances and Longtime Companion), but it was the first Hollywood studio picture to take AIDS as its primary subject. In that sense, Philadelphia is a historically important film. As such, it's worth remembering that director Jonathan Demme (Melvin and Howard, Something Wild, The Silence of the Lambs) wasn't interested in preaching to the converted; he set out to make a film that would connect with a mainstream audience. And he succeeded. Philadelphia was not only a hit, it also won Oscars for Bruce Springsteen's haunting "The Streets of Philadelphia," and for Tom Hanks as the gay lawyer Andrew Beckett who is unjustly fired by his firm because he has AIDS. Denzel Washington is another lawyer (functioning as the mainstream-audience surrogate) who reluctantly takes Beckett's case and learns to overcome his misconceptions about the disease, about those who contract it, and about gay people in general. The combined warmth and humanism of Hanks and Demme were absolutely essential to making this picture a success. The cast also features Jason Robards, Antonio Banderas (as Beckett's lover), Joanne Woodward, and Robert Ridgely, and, of course, those Demme regulars Charles Napier, Tracey Walter, and Roger Corman. --Jim Emerson

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-13
Summary: ""Disturbing To Watch, Yet A Very Important Film!""

Tom Hanks desevedly won an Oscar for Best Actor in 1994 (his second in a row) as a lawyer dying of AIDS who is fired from his job from a prestigious law firm. He then sues the firm on the basis that he was unjustly fired. The just of the plot deals with what Andrew Beckett(the Hanks character) goes through, everything from homophobia, to his realization that he will die from this dreadful disease, to wanting justice served.

"Philadelphia" was really the first Hollywood mainstream film to tackle the issues of AIDS, homosexuality, and homophobia dead-on, and the fact that it was a huge hit upon its release in 1993 (the movie grossed over $200,000,000) signifies that audiences were ready for a good story that dealt with these issues.

Tom Hanks' portrayal of Andrew Beckett is probably the best of his career. He even lost weight in real life to show the ravages of AIDS. Gay rights and AIDS activists applauded both Hanks and the filmmakers for creating both a compelling and innovative movie that few have ever forgotten.

Others in the cast also gave extraordinary performances, most notably Denzel Washington who plays the homophobic lawyer Andrew hires in dealing with his case. The supporting roles too were filled with some of Hollywood's best including Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards, and Antonio Banderras who plays Andrew's lover.

Johnathan Demme, most known for his work in 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs" directed this wonderful film, and Bruce Springsteen won an Academy Award for Best Song for "The Streets of Philadelphia".

The 2 disc DVD set includes deleted scenes.

---

Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-06-06
Summary: "DVD Philadelphia"

I am very happy to inform you of my expereience with Amazon.com
has been very good. All items that I have ordered have been shipped to me so quicky. I like the e-mails that have been sent to me, when my order was processed and when I can expect the arrival of it.

---

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-15
Summary: "The Gift of the 2-disk Edition of a Classic"

One could justifiably say that Philadelphia is a film that changed the world. And I just did. lol

I will not waste anyone's time on plot delineation or the inspired casting, soundtrack, writing, directing, editing, given, who has not seen this classic at least once?

What I will do, is encourage everyone to buy the 2-disk anniversary edition with all the bonus material, every part of which is an augmenting gift.

Gifts from the commentary track to the principals sharing how and why they came onboard---in Denzel's case, serendipitously---and gestated a meticulous collective vision of the property in its real potential, to the evolution of the script, to, that the scenarist. Ron Nyswaner, realized it was his moment to come out, to Jonathan Demme's two-element inspiration to commit to making this film: first, Demme sustained criticism from the LGBT community for the portrayal of Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs, and second, his wife's best friend, a gifted young artist originally from Spain, Juan Botas, was diagnosed with HIV.

There are two documentaries on the second disk, one of which is a stand alone work... an inspiration of & partly shot by Botas, who died of AIDS during its making. It chronicles the reality history of HIV, and depicts paradigms of human courage and character on deep human levelsof the sort we are rarely privy to.

The collective gifts Philadelphia demanded & achieved over time is the issue. And, notwithstanding that some virulent activists, i.e., the late Larry Kramer, railed against the film, saying it capitulated to Hollywood...such criticisms comprised a small minority.

Beyond Philadelphia qualifying as a classic, when we also have the privilege of knowing every part of the creative process of a team of of importantly talented humans in any endeavor, I think there's not much more nourishing or inspiring.

---

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-02-15
Summary: "Great!"

The movie I had ordered arrived sooner than I thought and in great condition, which was the condition that was stated it to be when I had purchased the movie. I was very satisfied with this purchase.

---

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-01-04
Summary: "Philadelphia"

Andrew Beckett is a young up-and-coming lawyer who has just been fired by his prestigious law firm. His former colleagues claim he's just not good enough; Andrew says he's been fired because he has AIDS. Determined to defend his professional reputation; Andrew hires fierce personal-injury attorney Joe Miller to represent him as he sues his former firm for wrongful termination. Separated from Andrew by a deep social and cultural chasm, Joe is initially reluctant to take the case. For Andrew the battle is clear cut--he's fighting for his reputation, his life and for justice. Joe, however, faces a different kind of struggle as he confronts his own fears and prejudices about homosexuals. Philadelphia is a brilliant movie. You have to have an open mind and not be so prejudice to understand the meaning of the movie. I recommend it to everyone.