Philadelphia Movie Review 1993

AIDS goes Hollywood as hot-shot corporate attorney Andrew Beckett (Hanks), fired because he has the disease, hires brilliant but homophobic personal injury attorney Washington as his counsel when he sues for discrimination. Boxoffice winner was criticized by some gay activists as too mainstream, which is the point. It doesn't probe deeply into the gay lifestyle, focusing instead on justice and compassion. Boasts a good script, make-up that transforms Hanks, sure direction, great soundtrack, and a strong supporting cast, but all would mean little without Hanks' superb performance, his best to date.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 125 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Law & Lawyers, AIDS, Gays, Order in the Court, Family Ties, Disease of the Week, Philadelphia

Screenplay

Ron Nyswaner

Cast

Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas, Jason Robards, Joanne Woodward, Mary Steenburgen, Ron Vawter, Robert Ridgely, Obba Babatunde, Robert Castle, Daniel Chapman, Roger Corman, John Bedford Lloyd, Roberta Maxwell, Warren Miller, Anna Deavere Smith, Kathryn Witt, Andre B. Blake, Ann Dowd, Bradley Whitford, Chandra Wilson, Charles Glenn, Peter Jacobs, Kathryn Witt, Dan Olmstead, Joey Perillo, Lauren Roselli, Bill Rowe, Lisa Talerico, Daniel von Bargen, Tracey Walter

Cinematography

Tak Fujimoto

Director

Jonathan Demme

Music

Howard Shore

Other

Karen Finley, David Drake, Quentin Crisp

Producer

Jonathan Demme, Edward Saxon, Gary Goetzman, Kenneth Utt, Ron Bozman, Clinica Estetico, Tri-Star Pictures

Awards

Oscars 1993: Actor (Hanks), Song ("Streets of Philadelphia"); Berlin Intl. Film Fest. 1994: Actor (Hanks); Golden Globes 1994: Actor--Drama (Hanks), Song ("Streets of Philadelphia"); MTV Movie Awards 1994: Male Perf. (Hanks); Blockbuster 1995: Drama Actor, V. (Hanks).