March was Oscar month, and TCM (Turner Classic Movies) who showcase great Oscar movied showed ’’Philadelphia’’ with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.
’’Philadelphia’’ is the powerful movie about a well educated and hardworking lawyer named Andy Beckette who contracts AIDS and is then illegally and prejudicely fired from his law firm when they find out he has AIDS.
The movie is nothing short of Excellent demonstrating not only the cold-blooded and hypocritical members of corporte society, but the indignities and prejudices that people living with AIDS have to go through.
The movie also brilliantly shows the courtroom tactics and lies that defendants and lawyers will use in order to win their case. The Defense (who represents the Law Firm who fired Andy Beckette) tries to make Andy Beckett’s lifestyle and often times varying performances at work against him to try to bring down his reputation and his case.
From a law point of view, the movie is Excellent.
From a Film making point of view, the movie is Excellent.
From a societal message , point of view, ’’Philadelphia’’ is Excellent.
Jason Robards, plays Charles Wheeler, a sickening, prejudice man who resembles the most disgusting corporate boss there is: The corporate boss, who pretends to be friends with his coworkers or clients, only to stabbed them in the back later. He will do only anything to benefit himself.
At the beginning, Wheeler pretends to be Andy’s friend, heck he even ask him for legal advice on a special antitrust case called ’’Highlite vs. Sander Systems’’.
Andy Beckett’s becomes fired, from the job, once they find out he has aids, but try to make it look he was fired for other reasons. The movie also greatly shows the prejudices, and misconception people have about aids.
However, Director Jonathan Demme does bring up some controversial areas for
example Andy was a guy with many sexual partners, and so his diagnosis
of the Aids Virus while dating Miguel Alvarez (Antonio Banderas) is not surprising
at all. In fact the defense uses Andy’s personal history against him very well.
Denzel Washington plays Jospeh Miller, the lawyer Beckette eventually to try to bring his AIDS case to court.
Miller himself, at first, displays his own prejudices against people with AIDS. When
Beckette, touches items in his office, his face becomes terrified, showing his fear and ignorance that perhaps he will catch AIDS from Beckette.
Another gritty scene that shows people ignorance and prejudice is the library scene in which Andy Beckette, is conducting researching for his AIDS case against the lawfirm that illegally fired him.
The librarian in the library, first asks Andy Beckette, if he would be more comfortable in a study room, but then it becomes evident that the the ignorant librarian is telling not asking Andy Beckette to go to another room.
Andy being, a very proud man, refuses showing his true dignity even while having AIDS.
Joseph Miller (Washington) eventually agrees to become Andy’s lawyer and this is where more powerful scenes are shown along with brilliant and well scripted performances.
’’Justice is blind regardless of color, sex and religion.’’ is the line that the Judge in the case uses to ensure the parties involved that this will be a fair case.
’’Philadelphia’’ gathered many Oscar Nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor leading to Denzel Washington winning for Best Actor.
’’Philadelphia’’ is not the only movie that deals with the issue of AIDS, but it is by far one of the best made.
I Highly Recommended this movie for both educational reasons (educate people about AIDS along with the ignorant misconception people have about it), and for Journalistic and Filmmaking reasons.
An Oscar worthy film that has to be seen.
There is a dvd available for ’’Philadelphia’’ but unfortunately no, special features are given but still a great film.