Tom Hanks Gets Sick (But Not Really That Sick... Unless You Count Having an Awesome Lawyer) : A Hilarious Look at the Movie Philadelphia (Except It's Not Really Hilarious Because Discrimination is Awful)
Ah, Philadelphia. City of brotherly love, cheesesteaks, and... wrongful termination lawsuits based on HIV discrimination? Yep, that's the theme of this 1993 legal drama starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. But wait! Before you doze off imagining endless courtroom scenes in black and white (although, to be fair, there are courtroom scenes), let's liven things up a bit.
Basically, here's the gist: Tom Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, a brilliant lawyer who, by the way, is HIV positive. Now, this is the 90s, folks, and AIDS was a scary, misunderstood thing. So, Andrew keeps his condition hush-hush at his fancy law firm. Big mistake. Big, big mistake. His bosses discover his secret, and whammo! Andrew finds himself out on the street faster than you can say "hostile work environment."
But Andrew ain't no quitter! Determined to fight back, he searches for a lawyer to sue his former employers. The only problem? Everyone else is too freaked out by AIDS to take the case. Enter Denzel Washington as Joe Miller, a hotshot lawyer with a surprising prejudice: he's not a huge fan of folks who are different. Think Dwight Schrute from The Office, but with a law degree.
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
Hijinks ensue! Joe reluctantly agrees to take the case, mostly because Andrew promises him a ton of money (which, let's be honest, is a pretty good motivator). They become an unlikely duo as they navigate the legal system, with Joe learning a thing or two about compassion and Andrew proving that even with a compromised immune system, you can totally kick some discriminatory butt.
So, is it all doom and gloom? Not quite! There's some humor sprinkled in, mostly because Joe's initial homophobia is pretty darn funny (in a cringe-worthy kind of way). Think of it as the dramatic version of watching your dad try to use a new emoji. Plus, Tom Hanks is fantastic as always, and Denzel Washington delivers a powerhouse performance that will have you cheering for him (even if he is initially a bit... unenlightened).
Tip: Reread slowly for better memory.
 |
| What Was The Movie Philadelphia About |
Fun Fact Alert!
Did you know that Tom Hanks actually lost weight for this role to show the physical effects of AIDS? Dedication, people! Dedication!
The Takeaway
Philadelphia is a powerful film that tackles a tough subject matter, but it does so with a surprising amount of heart (and yes, some unintentional humor). It's a story about fighting for what's right, even when the odds are stacked against you. Plus, it'll make you super grateful for lawyers who aren't afraid of a little hand-holding (metaphorically speaking, of course).
QuickTip: Copy useful snippets to a notes app.
 |
How-To FAQs on Philadelphia, the Movie (and Maybe Life in General)
How to Overcome Your Fear of the Unknown? Watch Philadelphia and see how Joe Miller learns to accept Andrew for who he is. Just because something is different doesn't mean it's bad!
How to Find a Lawyer Who Will Actually Take Your Case? Andrew had to settle for a reluctant Joe Miller, but ideally, you'd find someone as passionate as Joe becomes (minus the initial homophobia, of course).
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.
How to Deal with a Wrongful Termination? Channel your inner Andrew Beckett and fight for what you deserve! Just maybe consult with a lawyer first.
How to Rock a Dramatic Weight Loss for a Movie Role? Apparently, Tom Hanks has the answer, but maybe consult a doctor before trying anything drastic.
How to Make a Serious Movie with a Touch of Humor? Philadelphia is a masterclass! Just remember, sometimes humor is the best medicine (except for actual medicine, of course).
 |
