Philadelphia
Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Produced by: Jonathan Demme, Edward Saxon
Written by: Ron Nyswaner
Starring: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Antonio Banderas, Joanne Woodward.
Introduction
It’s hard to imagine that anyone who’s faced a life-threatening illness hasn’t worried about “what if” scenarios at some point. Living with HIV is not easy.It takes courage to face the social realities of discrimination and uninfomed stigma, while battling the disease itself.One of the movie that talks about human right to get equality is PHILADELPHIA. PHILAELPHIA is one of the first mainstream hollywood films to acknowledge HIV/AIDS,Homosexuality and Homophobia.
STORY & SCREENPLAY
Philadelphia is one of those Hollywood movies to tackle the misinformation and biases against individual with HIV/AIDS, was released in theatres on December 22,1993.It is made by Director Jonathan Demme. The story tells about Andrew Beckett(Tom Hanks) ,a successful lawyer who gets fired from a prestigious law firm. The law firm claims that Andrew is no longer a good lawyer. However, Andrew was sure that the real reason he was fired because his bosses found out that he had AIDS. Andrew fights to get equality. He sues his high-powered law firm for wrongful termination. He gets the counsel of Joe Miller(Denzel Washington),a lawyer who fears of AIDS and homosexuality. Joe’s prejudices against homosexuals begin to fade as he begins to see the bigger picture of discrimination.
Action Wellness, a nonprofit organization dedicated towards helping people in the Philadelphia area deal with chronic illness, helped the filmmakers cast more than 50 extras with HIV and AIDS to appear in the film. By the end of 1994, 43 out of those 53 people had died – demonstrating the close linkage between fiction and fact.
STORY & SCREENPLAY
Emotional, Powerful, gripping and great performances by Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. Needless to mention, Tom Hanks won his first Oscar for his performance in this movie. Bruce Springsteen receives his Oscar for Original Song for the somber “Streets of Philadelphia” from the film “Philadelphia”.
Conclusion
The story is a case study in the history of the disease–part drama and part informational, nearly becoming a documentary. Considering the musical compositions that accompany thus film and the brilliant performance by Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, Philadelphia effectively drive home its message. A must watch movie starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. A great cast you don’t get to see often. Philadelphia, apart from having talented actors delivering remarkable performances, is a piece of history. Do watch the movie & you would love the initial sound track Streets of Philadelphia and in the end Philadelphia by Neil Young. cheers.
Disclaimer: The above review solely illustrates the views of the writer.