Philadelphia
A gay Philadelphia lawyer living with AIDS challenges his powerful former firm in court, forcing his reluctant advocate to confront homophobia and institutional injustice.
Overview
A poignant exploration of love and justice in the face of discrimination and illness.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- earnest
- compassionate
- somber
- socially conscious viewing
- discussion night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film sincere and socially important, with stellar performances and sensitive direction compensating for some conventional clichés.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Andrew Beckett's case brings the AIDS crisis and homophobia into a major commercial courtroom drama.
Andrew hides his homosexuality and HIV status, then sues after his law firm fires him.
Joe Miller initially holds homophobic views but works with Andrew and faces those beliefs in court and outside it.
The courtroom proceedings expose the firm's motives while asking jurors to recognize discrimination against Andrew.
Films like Philadelphia, and why
A Few Good Men
shared courtroom drama structure, social justice themes, and emotionally direct performances
Erin Brockovich
shared trial-film conventions, institutional discrimination, and morally confrontational drama
The Normal Heart
shared LGBTQ+ rights subject matter, prejudice, and compassionate humanist tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Jonathan Demme
- Release Date
- 1993-12-22
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (4767)
Cast
- Tom Hanks
- Denzel Washington
- Jason Robards
- Mary Steenburgen
- Antonio Banderas
- Ron Vawter
- Robert Ridgely
- Charles Napier
- Lisa Summerour
- Obba Babatundé
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Philadelphia about?
- A gay Philadelphia lawyer living with AIDS challenges his powerful former firm in court, forcing his reluctant advocate to confront homophobia and institutional injustice.
- What is Philadelphia like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Philadelphia as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Philadelphia violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Philadelphia.
- What did critics think of Philadelphia?
- Critics broadly found the film sincere and socially important, with stellar performances and sensitive direction compensating for some conventional clichés.
- Which films are like Philadelphia?
- Films with a similar feel include A Few Good Men, Erin Brockovich, and The Normal Heart.
- How long is Philadelphia?
- Philadelphia runs 126 minutes.
- Where can I watch Philadelphia?
- In United States, Philadelphia is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
