| Philadelphia | | Cast : | Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington | | Director : | Jonathan Demme | | Studio : | Columbia Tristar Hom | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby | | Released Date : | December 23, 1993 | | DVD Released Date : | June 07, 2005 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 17, 2005 | | Summary | another overrated movie (brave subject to tackle though) | Content
 | This movie had the potential to tell a compelling story, but for me it missed the mark. It's not a bad movie, but I didn't think it was so great.
The movie had good believable acting from Hanks and Denzel Washington, but the part the movie fails in is the TELLING of the story. There's just too many courtroom scenes and not enough character development, and without that, it gets pretty boring and repetitive. You can't give the movie credit for the story it's TRYING to tell, because as far as I'm concerned, the story it DID tell was not told in an entertaining way.
The two main characters weren't developed enough. For one, the transformation of Denzel's feelings about gay people was not believable, there just wasn't enough shown on screen to make the viewer believe that he would have any reason to change his feelings. The way it was directed, it looked as if that opera scene is what changed Denzel's feelings about Hanks, and that's ridiculous to have someone's lifelong feelings that has been etched into their persona be changed almost because of a single incident (like I said, the way it was directed implied this). They should've shown a gradual change and made it interesting, maybe throw in a scene where Denzel protects Hanks from ridicule or something, I don't know, just show some sort of growing relationship to make the viewer care. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 21, 2005 | | Summary | Tears will fall from your face | Content
| A masterpiece of a film that is very sad and depressing. AIDS is a serious issue and this movie shows the discrimination against people who have it, but also shows the pain that the love ones would go through. It shows how sad life can be and it makes me feel how lucky I am and how many peopel are. AIDS is very common in the US and this film beautifully portrays a story of an ordinary person that gets AIDS. The movie contains powerful performances by Tom Hanks and by Denzel Washington. It'as really great to see these wonderful actors in a great movie together. I recommend renting it because you really won't want to watch it a lot. Tears will probably flow from your face as it is one of the saddest movies of all time. Bruce Springsteen's song "streets of Philadelphia" also adds a lot to it as it is an absolute beautiful song.
A masterpiece. |
| Rating | | | Date | May 31, 2005 | | Summary | aha! | Content
| when Andy visits his family with antonio banderas, who is filming the party with a videocamera, there's a major hole in the script. a little girl, a niece perhaps, looks at the camera and shouts: "Uncle Andy!". why the hell does she call antonio banderas uncle andy? did I miss something? these little things really mess up my life. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 18, 2005 | | Summary | IN THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE | Content
| When watching a movie like PHILADELPHIA, one can't help but awed by the talent involved in this devastatingly excellent film. Director Jonathan Demme has assembled a cast to die for and with an intelligent, provocative, and thoughtful script, he has given us one of the best "message" films ever committed to celluloid. Whether or not you are heterosexual, homosexual, a gay rights activist or an out and out homophobe, you can't help but be impacted by the power of this movie.
Of course, Tom Hanks shines in a brave role, a risky role that Hanks elevates to heights of greatness. Hanks has given us so many outstanding performances through his career: Big; Saving Private Ryan; Cast Away; Forest Gump; Apollo 13; Road to Perdition; Green Mile; etc., etc. Tom has the ability to not only portray a character, but to inhabit him as well. Tom's soliloquy while listening to the beautiful piece by Maria Callas is devastating; his faltering moments in the courtroom are heartwrenchingly real. It is truly an Oscar worthy performance. Equally impressive is Oscar winner Denzel Washington, crimefully neglected at Oscar time for this one; I think it's Denzel's most powerful and controlled performance. Initially a diehard homophobe, he is able to arrest these reservations and work hard to help Hanks win his case. His reactions during the aforementioned Hanks soliloquy prove how good actors don't need to say a word to show what they're feeling. And what a marvelous supporting cast: Joanne Woodward is superb in her small but wonderful performance as Hanks' mother; Antonio Banderas, eschewing his pretty boy persona with a direct and honest portrayal of Hanks' lover; Jason Robards hiding behind his own homophobia and judgmental religious fervor; Kathryn Witt in her small role as the aids-infected lady who wasn't fired because it wasn't her fault she had AIDs. The entire cast down to the smallest of roles is mesmerizing. The actors playing Tom's family are marvelous. The musical score by Howard Shore, and the Oscar winning title song by Bruce Springsteen complement the movie tremendously.
PHILADELPHIA is one powerful movie; one that will make you examine your own prejudices; Hanks was really being tried for his lifestyle; his final scenes with his family and especially Banderas are beautifully done, and the movie proves what a remarkable actor we have in both Hanks and Washington. Truly a classic for our times. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 09, 2005 | | Summary | A very powerful film with a message. | Content
| This movie was very powerful, and very emotional. Tom Hanks deserved the Oscar that he got for this movie, because he had me believing that he was actually a man who has done nothing bad to people, but is dying a very painful death. Denzel really shined in this movie as he went from someone who didn't like Gay men to a man who is willing to fight for them. This movie took alot of the stigma off of Aids, and should be seen by everyone so that people can realize that AIDS cannot be caught by casual contact, and that we need to give our support and love to them. |
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