Philadelphia

PG-13

Released Dec 22, 1993

2 hr. 5 min.

Drama

LGBTQ+

TRAILER

for Philadelphia: Trailer 1

List

81%

64 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Fearing it would compromise his career, lawyer Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) hides his homosexuality and HIV status at a powerful Philadelphia law firm. But his secret is exposed when a colleague spots the illness's telltale lesions. Fired shortly afterwards, Beckett resolves to sue for discrimination, teaming up with Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), the only lawyer willing to help. In court, they face one of his ex-employer's top litigators, Belinda Conine (Mary Steenburgen).

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Critics Consensus

Philadelphia indulges in some unfortunate clichés in its quest to impart a meaningful message, but its stellar cast and sensitive direction are more than enough to compensate.

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roger d

During the making of this film the producers, really did a lot of research into the was society felt about AIDS , they spoke to the families that were victims, and to the family that this film was based on , the film is an outstanding court room drama, the cast are given enough dialogue to give you the impression that they were all giving their best . Tom Hanks is pitch perfect in his portrayal of the AIDS victim, and Denzel, Washington as his lawyer gives an outstanding performance, the soundtrack is both moving and heartbreaking. I saw this film when it first came out in 1993 and rewatched it tonight, it has not lost a bit of its power , it is as important and valid as the day it was released.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

Full Review

Dave C

A gentle, tender, intimate account of suffering with AIDS and the stigma, assumptions, fear, and suffering that go with it, all whilst living, working, and navigating relationships. DW and TH are the perfect coupling, and really show the disparate views and feelings in this story with palpable emotions

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/29/24

Full Review

Alec C

The pursuit of justice is applied to all, even those who have different sexualities! Lawyer Andrew Beckett is unjustly fired from his law-firm when he begins to show signs of AIDS, resulting in him hiring Joe Miller as his attorney in the legal battle against his old partners, with the illness becoming worse. An emotional and heartbreaking film that resonates with the current social climate for those who are considered different in the eyes of the law!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

David F

This movie was a groundbreaking depiction of homosexuality and AIDS suffering when it was released in the early 1990s and it stands the test of time as a compassionate plea for our basic humanity, no matter our sexual orientation or health status. It's a story about an ordinary lawyer who is terminated by his firm because of their backwards attitudes and who engages another lawyer, one with some outward homophobia, to take the law firm to court over its unjust termination. It's a great courtroom drama with a wonderful sense of its setting, the eponymous city of Philadelphia, and great acting.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

Liz M

One of my favourite movies. So moving, so important, so well written and acted. I cry every time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

Full Review

David H

Very entertaining movie even if it's depiction of the subject matter is somewhat simple minded the performance of Mary Steenburgen as one of the lawyers in particular is excellent

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

Full Review

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Jonathan Demme

Director

Tom Hanks

Andrew Beckett

Denzel Washington

Joe Miller

Jason Robards

Charles Wheeler

Antonio Banderas

Miguel Alvarez

Joanne Woodward

Sarah Beckett

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Philadelphia: Official Clip - The Essence of Discrimination

2:01

Philadelphia: Official Clip - A Pharmacy Pick-Up

1:40

Philadelphia: Official Clip - More Comfortable

2:09

Philadelphia: Official Clip - Lesions

2:12

Philadelphia: Official Clip - A Case About Homosexuality

2:10

Philadelphia: Official Clip - An Excellent Lawyer

1:01

Philadelphia: Official Clip - I Have A Case

2:09

Philadelphia: Official Clip - Goodnight, My Angel

1:52

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Philadelphia: Trailer 1

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Denzel Washington Coolest Lines Mashup

2:00

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Philadelphia is a heartbreakingly mediocre movie. It’s dishonest, it’s often legally, medically, and politically inaccurate, and it breaks my heart that I must say it’s simply not good enough and I’d rather people not see it at all.

Jun 3, 2022

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Philadelphia may not be the film Demme's fans expect--its emotionalism is unfiltered by cool. But it has the power to open more than a few blinkered hearts.

Mar 13, 2015

Full Review

Todd McCarthy

Variety

[An] extremely well-made message picture about tolerance, justice and discrimination is pitched at mainstream audiences, befitting its position as the first major Hollywood film to directly tackle the disease.

Oct 10, 2008

Full Review

Eleanor O'Sullivan

Asbury Park Press (NJ)

Tom Hanks is superb as a smart lawyer dying of AIDS who sues his former employers with the help of Denzel Washington, who matches Hanks' work note for note.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 29, 2024

Full Review

Steve Warren

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

Despite its weaknesses, Philadelphia can be enthralling and deeply moving at times.

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Graced with splendid performances, this often stirring drama not only has its heart in the right place; it delivers a strong, convincing portrait, as well as a lesson about decency in a story aptly set in the City of Brotherly Love.

Dec 16, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Fearing it would compromise his career, lawyer Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) hides his homosexuality and HIV status at a powerful Philadelphia law firm. But his secret is exposed when a colleague spots the illness's telltale lesions. Fired shortly afterwards, Beckett resolves to sue for discrimination, teaming up with Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), the only lawyer willing to help. In court, they face one of his ex-employer's top litigators, Belinda Conine (Mary Steenburgen).

Director: Jonathan Demme
Executive Producer: Ronald M. Bozman, Gary Goetzman, Kenneth Utt
Screenwriter: Ron Nyswaner
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment, TriStar Pictures
Production Co: Clinica Estetico, TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 1993, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $76.0M
Sound Mix: Dolby, Stereo, SDDS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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