This, the first major Hollywood movie about Aids, is a tour-de-force for Tom Hanks, who won the Oscar for Best Actor. He plays Andrew Beckett, a gay HIV-positive lawyer who takes his conservative former employers to court on the grounds of unlawful dismissal because of his condition. Unable to represent himself in court, he must find a lawyer willing to take on the case and discovers an unlikely aid in the guise of a black, homophobic lawyer (Denzel Washington).
Directed with aplomb by Jonathan Demme, the commanding cast play their roles to perfection, with Mary Steenburgen (defence lawyer), Jason Robards Sr. (law firm partner) and Joanne Woodward (Beckett's mother) providing powerful support to the Hanks/Washington partnership.
A very touching movie with lessons for us all. Highly recommended.
Philadelphia is a Film programme that first aired in 1993 and has been classified a 12 certificate.
