Philadelphia

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2:54

Philadelphia

PG-13

Released Dec 22, 1993

2h 5m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

64 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

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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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

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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

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Steve Warren

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

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

May 9, 2023

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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

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Fer S

Boring movie and unnecessarily long. The emotional parts had absolutely no effect on me.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

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rhi b

joey did like, but joey sad at ending, but joey also happy sometimes

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

Full Review

Fabrícia F

Uma discussão bem arregimentada sobre o preconceito contra pessoas portadoras do vírus HIV é a chave para o sucesso desse filme. Facilmente poderia servir para os dias de hoje já que envelheceu tão bem na galeria de clássicos do cinema contemporâneo.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

Full Review

Ava S

Philadelphia paints a broad message on acceptance, leaving little room for more nuanced discussion, but still does a solid job in building a stellar arc for Washington.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

r96 s

Very good. I did think I'd enjoy 'Philadelphia' much more though, solely based on who appears on the poster. The performances of Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington are impressive enough, though I'd say they have done greater in other productions. The story they portray here is a sizeable one and it is well told, it certainly makes you feel uncomfortable in parts and saddened in many others. I do feel like the pacing could've been better, a shorter run time perhaps would've helped. Overall, if I'm honest, my interest in this wasn't all that strong throughout, I couldn't shake the feeling of wanting something more from it. I can still acknowledge it's objective quality, of course.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Did no one spot the outstanding clanger in the film? Hanks' character is given that prime law case AND promoted to senior associate up front. The entire court room drama never mentioned the promotion !!!! That in itself would be the most compelling reason to use as proof Andy was the most competent lawyer the firm had. FFS. Who directed this film? In any film watch out for "product placement" - a branded item seen or mentioned in the movie. Like a close up of a "Sharp" microwave oven in a kitchen scene just behind an actor. Perfect white teeth 😁😁😁😁😁 , no. matter what the role is. It's 2024 and makeup departments still can't make teeth look realistic. Close up scenes only make the white teeth more incongruous. Denzel Washington staring into the camera, practically blinding me with the dazzling perfect veneers. People have yellowish teeth generally speaking. Hollywood stars do not apparently. It's like a competition for the whitest teeth.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

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

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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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
Producer: Jonathan Demme, Edward Saxon
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
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Stereo, SDDS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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