Philadelphia

"No one would take on his case... until one man was willing to take on the system."

1993 2h 6m EN

🙌

7.7

BANGER

★7.7TMDB · 4,779

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Two competing lawyers join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops, their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.

“No one would take on his case... until one man was willing to take on the system.”

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Cast

Tom Hanks
Andrew Beckett
Denzel Washington
Joe Miller
Jason Robards
Charles Wheeler
Mary Steenburgen
Belinda Conine
Antonio Banderas
Miguel Alvarez
Ron Vawter
Bob Seidman
Robert Ridgely
Walter Kenton
Charles Napier
Judge Garnett

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jonathan Demme
Writers: Ron Nyswaner
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Made its money back 7.9× over at the box office.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

33 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jonathan Demme, shot by Tak Fujimoto. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Howard Shore. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Craig McKay shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington and Jason Robards carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "No one would take on his case... until one man was willing to take on the system.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0107818 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jonathan Demme directs. Tak Fujimoto behind the camera. Howard Shore scores. Craig McKay cuts. Made its budget back several times over at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Made its money back 7.9× over at the box office.
233 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by Jonathan Demme, shot by Tak Fujimoto. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Howard Shore. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Craig McKay shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington and Jason Robards carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "No one would take on his case... until one man was willing to take on the system.".
8IMDB entry: tt0107818 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Classified under 17 themes, including "philadelphia, pennsylvania", "court", "jurors", "aids".

The technical file

Cinematography: Tak Fujimoto
Original score: Howard Shore
Editing: Craig McKay
Production design: Kristi Zea
Costume design: Colleen Atwood
Makeup / hair: Alan D'Angerio
Sound: Tom Fleischman
Runtime: 126 min · 2h 6m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $26,000,000
Box office: $206,678,440
Return: 795% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Philadelphia (1993)

Awards

National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Academy Award for Best Original Song
Academy Award for Best Actor

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Jonathan Demme

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Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

John Chard2019-11-11
★ 9/10
What do you love about the law, Andrew? Andrew Beckett is a gay lawyer infected with AIDS, who in spite of being his law firm's rising star, is fired on a trumped up charge of negligence. Refusing to accept defeat, Andrew manages to enlist the help of homophobic lawyer Joe Miller, whom it's hoped, can prove that the firm acted disgracefully out of fear of Andrew's illness. But can Joe throw off his own prejudice? Can Andrew keep it together as AIDS starts to take a hold? Philadelphia was the film to really bring the horrors of AIDS to the masses. Though certainly not the first film to deal with the subject, films such as "An Early Frost (1985)" and "As Is (1986)" had led the way, Philadelphia is certainly the most memorable of all the mainstream films dealing with the subject. As the years have rolled by, the film's standing has waned some what, gays have renounced the film as over sentimental gloop and various other cinema critics have accused the film of confusing its aims. The truth is that Philadelphia is only really guilty of playing it safe. Andrew Beckett is clearly wronged, and he's clearly a lovely and special man, supported by a complete and loyal loving family. It's the character set up that never really puts the film in any real danger of becoming edgy, even the strand dealing with homophobia is only briefly given credence. However, where the makers do achieve their aims, is with the emotional aspects, something that lifts Philadelphia to a far higher plain in the pantheon of emotional kickers. The tone of the film is set courtesy of Bruce Springsteen's Oscar winning "Streets Of Philadelphia", which acts as a sombre portent of things to come during the opening credit sequence. From here on in the story is content with gnawing away at our heart strings and breaking down prejudice barriers in the name of fair play and adult fallibility's. Part court room drama and part human tragedy, Philadelphia is never found wanting in the engrossing department, something that is in no small amount due to the work of a firing on all cylinders cast. Tom Hanks is always pretty safe company to be in as a rule, but tackling the role of Andrew Beckett required much more than merely charm and a homely appeal. Hanks, winning his first Best Actor Oscar, steps up to the plate here and delivers one of the best performances of the 90s. As AIDS ravages his body and soul, Hanks as Andrew reaches deep down within and has the audience with him all the way through his ordeal. Alongside Hanks is Denzel Washington as Joe, who if anything has the more prickly role to contend with. It's probably not much of a surprise to most followers of his to say he's on his usual great form here, with a shift in his character's fortitude showcasing the best of the New Yorker's ability. Rounding out the cast, and with equally fine performances are Jason Robards, Joanne Woodward, Robert Ridgely, Mary Steenburgen and Antonio Banderas. Then as surely as Springsteen's opener had set the mood, Neil Young closes the film down with his own heart achingly brilliant "Philadelphia", playing alongside some video footage that finally seals the deal as to why Philadelphia as a movie exists. Revisits to the film show up its minor flaws, but as someone who remembers how he, and the other multi sexed audience reacted on leaving the cinema back in 1993, it's the kind of impact that to my mind can never be understated. 9/10
Peter McGinn2021-05-08
★ 7/10
Yet another of those movies I watched close to when it came out umpteen years ago, and only recently watched again. For entertainment value, it hasn’t aged particularly well for me. I am not sure I can even describe why, except that it seemed to lack energy. There are a lot of good small moments, but its big moments struggle to live up to their potential. The courtroom scenes slow the story down in places, and the climactic scene that decided the case wasn’t convincing to me. Still, this was an important movie addressing the AIDS when it came out, and the two low lead actors, even though they both give an understated performance, carry the film quite nicely.
tmdb154355192021-05-20
★ 8/10
Compelling performances by both Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. And to think I almost didn't watch this because the poster doesn't look like Hanks...