Successful
lawyer Andy Beckett (Tom Hanks) receives a once in a life time promotion from
his law firm. Unbeknownst to his boss, he is hiding his sexual orientation and
the fact he has been diagnosed with AIDS. After being fired, Andy approaches several
lawyers pleading his case for discrimination but none will represent him. Until
he reaches out to small-time lawyer Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), who despite
his fear of aids and homosexuals, decides to be Andy’s lawyer. As Andy’s condition
worsens, a lengthy court case draws out, where Andy fights for his rights in a
system and a city unwelcoming of the growing AIDS pandemic and homosexuality.
In the 1980’s,
we began to understand more about AIDS, and many cases were recorded around the
world. With it’s lethal, and cunning hold over the victim’s body, the fear of
the disease ran rampant. Most people didn’t understand exactly how it was passed
on and contracted, and believed that if someone infected with the virus even
shook their hands, they would catch AIDS themselves. The issue was front and
centre in the media in the early 90’s, especially with NBA basketball player
Magic Johnson revealing he had the virus, and continued to play basketball and
live his life.
This certainly
helped alleviate the fear of the virus being transmitted. However, homophobia
was still a fear as strong as the fear of AIDS itself. Stories were starting to
come forward of people being infected, and this being the catalyst for
employers and business to get rid of the person as soon as possible. Someone had
to take a stand against persecution and corruption and the basis for the film is
touted to come from the story of two such men; both lawyers who were fired once
their employers discovered they had AIDS.
Philadelphia is a film that isn’t short of controversy. In an interesting move, the story chooses to set itself in the city that may not be a big player on the world stage, but has a culture and community that is uniquely its own. The word “Philadelphia” was on everyone’s mouth in 1993, being the title of a critically and commercially successful movie, a number one song by Bruce Springsteen, and giving Tom Hanks his first Oscar for Best Actor. He’d follow this up a year later with another landmark performance in “Forrest Gump”, giving him back-to-back accolades for his work.
The film is, first and foremost, a story about a man carrying a heavy burden, and his fight for justice in a corrupt legal system he himself once worked in. And it also isn’t afraid to tackle the issues of the time, in a totally candid and honest way. It explores the lives of homosexuals, their vulnerability to contracting AIDS and the untimely death many of them can meet as a result. How all of that can label a person in the eyes of society is damaging, and this is personified in the film by the key characters and the people of Philadelphia themselves, who play a significant role in shedding light on the fears at play. It was very admirable for the Academy to recognise the film, given Hollywood can be known for its homophobia, and giving Tom Hanks a well-deserved Oscar for his performance was a true acknowledgment. His portrayal on screen is incredible, as you will see a man who goes from having the world at his feet, to hiding a secret he feels he can’t share, then being front and centre in a legal case where everyone has an opinion about it.
The film
may challenge some of your own notions and fears, and is at a times a confronting
viewing experience. You will feel angered, ashamed, shocked and dismayed. It’s in the key supporting role of Joe Miller,
where Denzel Washington shines as usual, and symbolizes the various fears being
explored. He goes through a major transformation of his own, from a layer
usually representing guys who broke their legs at work, to the centre of the
biggest court case in Philadelphia, and perhaps the country.
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