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Philadelphia | Rotten Tomatoes

  • ️Wed Dec 22 1993
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Critics Consensus

Philadelphia indulges in some unfortunate clichés in its quest to impart a meaningful message, but its stellar cast and sensitive direction are more than enough to compensate.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Philadelphia is a heartbreakingly mediocre movie. It’s dishonest, it’s often legally, medically, and politically inaccurate, and it breaks my heart that I must say it’s simply not good enough and I’d rather people not see it at all. Jun 3, 2022 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek Philadelphia may not be the film Demme's fans expect--its emotionalism is unfiltered by cool. But it has the power to open more than a few blinkered hearts. Mar 13, 2015 Full Review Todd McCarthy Variety [An] extremely well-made message picture about tolerance, justice and discrimination is pitched at mainstream audiences, befitting its position as the first major Hollywood film to directly tackle the disease. Oct 10, 2008 Full Review Eleanor O'Sullivan Asbury Park Press (NJ) Tom Hanks is superb as a smart lawyer dying of AIDS who sues his former employers with the help of Denzel Washington, who matches Hanks' work note for note. Rated: 4/4 Feb 29, 2024 Full Review Steve Warren Southern Voice (Atlanta) Despite its weaknesses, Philadelphia can be enthralling and deeply moving at times. May 9, 2023 Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) Graced with splendid performances, this often stirring drama not only has its heart in the right place; it delivers a strong, convincing portrait, as well as a lesson about decency in a story aptly set in the City of Brotherly Love. Dec 16, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

paul o We have forgotten, perhaps too quickly, the dreadful impact of Aids on society. This film helps to remedy that and despite a few inaccuracies does it very well. Strong performances from Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. Very emotional film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/02/25 Full Review Fer S Boring movie and unnecessarily long. The emotional parts had absolutely no effect on me. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/25 Full Review rhi b joey did like, but joey sad at ending, but joey also happy sometimes Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/08/24 Full Review Fabrícia F Uma discussão bem arregimentada sobre o preconceito contra pessoas portadoras do vírus HIV é a chave para o sucesso desse filme. Facilmente poderia servir para os dias de hoje já que envelheceu tão bem na galeria de clássicos do cinema contemporâneo. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/14/24 Full Review Ava S Philadelphia paints a broad message on acceptance, leaving little room for more nuanced discussion, but still does a solid job in building a stellar arc for Washington. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/06/24 Full Review r96 s Very good. I did think I'd enjoy 'Philadelphia' much more though, solely based on who appears on the poster. The performances of Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington are impressive enough, though I'd say they have done greater in other productions. The story they portray here is a sizeable one and it is well told, it certainly makes you feel uncomfortable in parts and saddened in many others. I do feel like the pacing could've been better, a shorter run time perhaps would've helped. Overall, if I'm honest, my interest in this wasn't all that strong throughout, I couldn't shake the feeling of wanting something more from it. I can still acknowledge it's objective quality, of course. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/23/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Philadelphia: Official Clip - The Essence of Discrimination Philadelphia: Official Clip - The Essence of Discrimination 2:01 Philadelphia: Official Clip - A Pharmacy Pick-Up Philadelphia: Official Clip - A Pharmacy Pick-Up 1:40 Philadelphia: Official Clip - More Comfortable Philadelphia: Official Clip - More Comfortable 2:09 Philadelphia: Official Clip - Lesions Philadelphia: Official Clip - Lesions 2:12 Philadelphia: Official Clip - A Case About Homosexuality Philadelphia: Official Clip - A Case About Homosexuality 2:10 Philadelphia: Official Clip - An Excellent Lawyer Philadelphia: Official Clip - An Excellent Lawyer 1:01 Philadelphia: Official Clip - I Have A Case Philadelphia: Official Clip - I Have A Case 2:09 Philadelphia: Official Clip - Goodnight, My Angel Philadelphia: Official Clip - Goodnight, My Angel 1:52 View more videos

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Synopsis Fearing it would compromise his career, lawyer Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) hides his homosexuality and HIV status at a powerful Philadelphia law firm. But his secret is exposed when a colleague spots the illness's telltale lesions. Fired shortly afterwards, Beckett resolves to sue for discrimination, teaming up with Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), the only lawyer willing to help. In court, they face one of his ex-employer's top litigators, Belinda Conine (Mary Steenburgen).

Director

Jonathan Demme

Producer

Jonathan Demme, Edward Saxon

Screenwriter

Ron Nyswaner

Distributor

Sony Pictures Entertainment, TriStar Pictures

Production Co

Clinica Estetico, TriStar Pictures

Rating

PG-13

Genre

Drama, LGBTQ+

Original Language

English

Release Date (Theaters)

Dec 22, 1993, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)

Apr 16, 2012

Box Office (Gross USA)

$76.0M

Runtime

2h 5m

Sound Mix

Dolby, Stereo, SDDS, Surround

Aspect Ratio

Flat (1.85:1)

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