Philadelphia is an Academy Award-winning 1993 drama film revolving around HIV/AIDS. It was written by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Jonathan Demme. The film stars Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards, Antonio Banderas, Lisa Summerour, Chandra Wilson, and Mary Steenburgen.

It was partly inspired by the story of Geoffrey Bowers, an attorney who in 1987 sued the law firm Baker & McKenzie for unfair dismissal in one of the first AIDS discrimination cases.

Andrew Beckett is a young up-and-coming lawyer who has just been fired by his prestigious law firm. His former colleagues claim he’s just not good enough; Andrew says he’s been fired because he has AIDS.

Determined to defend his professional reputation; Andrew hires fierce personal-injury attorney Joe Miller (played by Denzel Washington) to represent him as he sues his former firm for wrongful termination.

Separated from Andrew by a deep social and cultural chasm, Joe is initially reluctant to take the case. For Andrew the battle is clear cut–he’s fighting for his reputation, his life and for justice. Joe, however, faces a different kind of struggle as he confronts his own fears and prejudices about homosexuals.

deletereply redheadgirl4 wrote on Dec 9, ’07 Tom Hanks was brilliant in this movie, and I love the Bruce Springsteen song. This is a great movie — painful to watch on so many levels, which is why it is so important, I think, for people to see it. Great choice!

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 9, ’07 This is possibly the best performance that Tom Hanks did in his career (at least I think so).

deletereply redheadgirl4 wrote on Dec 9, ’07 I totally agree, he was amazing, and this was clearly a role that suited him.

deletereply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 9, ’07 Never saw it, though I think it was shown on tv and I began it but never completed it!Does look like a good one. I worked with a guy with Sarcosi’s Sarcoma in the early 80′s; I remember how freaked we all were thinking it was contagious. AIDS was barely known at the time and it was very misunderstood.