Philadelphia

Why oh why, I tweeted, have I not heard about or thought about or considered Philadelphia before now? Surely this is one of the most moving and meaningful films about homosexuality, about aids, about justice and humanity of the 90s, if not ever? That's certainly a touch of what I thought as I brushed away my tears. Maybe I am just a sucker for a schmalzy flick, and maybe I was tired and touched by a clearly moving story, but I was just a little bit hit in the chest by this one (See also Transamerica, for instance).


Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) is a high flying lawyer until his position is unexpectedly terminated, nominally over a lost file, but in actuality because he is beginning to show signs of suffering from aids. He hires Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a public prosecutor, to fight his case, and so the two lawyers go up against one of the most powerful companies in Philadelphia in the hope that they might win compensation for Beckett's unfair dismissal. Add into the mix that Miller is a closet homophobe, and Beckett's health is deteriorating at a shocking rate, and you have the right elements of drama to make a straight courtroom film a thrill to watch.


Beckett's physical transformation is startling. He goes from a full head of hair to shaven scalp, from slim to unhealthily skinny. His eyes begin to sink into his skull and his hair loses all its colour. During his time on the witness stand he nearly chokes and when asked to show the lesions on his chest, all one can do is bite one's knuckles in distress. So as victory in the case seems to march ever closer, the bittersweet taste becomes ever more evident. Miller's clinical legality shifts to personal involvement as he realises that his client cares for justice more than financial success. He moves from grudging respect to all-out concern for Beckett and his family. But all of this subtly, softly, in the smoothest of strokes, and accompanied by a beautiful score and soundtrack and great footage of Philly. 


Recommended so highly. This film speaks volumes about the suffering of aids victims, of injustice and the meaning of the word disability, while also being gripping and ever so moving.


~~~
1993
Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robbards, Antonio Banderas
dir. Jonathan Demme