Philadelphia was meant to address the social injustices that were much more relevant up to 21 years ago. The subject matter in accordance with the filming made it possible to take the larger idea away from viewing this film. The timing of the release only helped its current and possibly ongoing popularity. This was the groundbreaking movie of its time for the acceptance of others, HIV/AIDS awareness and other injustices. Altogether, the execution of the subject matter was only made possible by the filming and the subject matter formed by great acting.
Tom Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, a man whose life seems almost perfect until his disease takes a toll on him and deters his associates and managers from accepting him as a part of their firm. Another important role that’s introduced here is Denzel Washington as Joe Miller, a homophobic man who brings another social injustice to the screenplay that creates the intense subject matter that’s revealed. Philadelphia was released in 1993, a time when most people did not have a strong understanding of HIV/AIDS, when black or afro-centrism wasn’t widely accepted in the corporate world and when being gay was simply outlandish. Ironically the film was set in the city of Philadelphia, which means the city of brotherly love. The opening of the movie, which brings the audience to the city, reflects the image we all know (As Philadelphians) as Philly. This was a great way to open the film and form the mise-en-scene while driving the aspects of imperfections within society.
The court date has been set so the Beckett family had a meeting. You see the difference between how his family treats him and how different it is than outsiders. The camera is held by Beckett’s lover/partner they walk up to the house, but stopped infront have a bird bath under it was two hand prints that were covered in snow. In this shot you can see a bit into Beckett’s past and you can also see/understand his feelings for his family before we meet them. The film then want into the house to meet Beckett’s family. They all give him kisses and let the kids be held by him. We meet all the family and then the film cut to have the Beckett’s family and Beckett’s lover sitting down. Beckett tries to get everyone ready for the court. Telling them that things will be said and that things might end bad, but to never give up.
Since we know the meaning of Philly the movie was able to show that even is a place that is known for “brotherly love” can still have flaws. In the opening we hear the Bruce Springsteen song “Streets of Philadelphia” playing in the background as we see the city from an overhead view then we slowly move in a circle getting closer and closer into the city. As we get closer we see business people walking to or from work. The camera starts moving around again to bring the spotlight to the amount of people that don’t have much of anything. We see them sleep on the pile of leaves, begging for money and waiting to get some food from a homeless shelter. That opening creates the idea of level in this society. It opens the viewers’ eyes to the hardships and ease of life. Then it cuts off and goes to the two main protagonists of the film Beckett and Miller.
From there it unfolds to tell a story of overall injustice, starting with homophobia, sexism and racism. The camera angles are very straight on for the first half of the movie creating a closer relationship with viewer and character. It allows the audience to feel what each character is feeling even if they may not fully agree with it. In once scene after Beckett becomes terminally ill, he “misplaced” an important document that costed him his job. In the scene where he gets fired there is an obvious distance between him and his colleagues that was not apparent in scenes previous to this one. Here we see the injustice that unfolds within the corporate systems, how one person can make the decision to discharge an employee on wrongful terms (being that he has HIV/AIDS, with the implication that he is gay).
We are now in the library with on a half shot on Miller. He is sitting down reading when he was spotted by a white guy that gave him a weird look. Then it turns to show us Beckett reading. Everything seemed fine until a homophobic librarian comes into view. This is a scene that is particularly effective, its conveying the fear and contempt the surrounding people have about AIDS and homosexuality. We see points of growth throughout all of the characters which simulates the idea of a renaissance and creates a new type of understanding for social injustices. This movie not only addresses the injustices that are seen throughout society but it envelopes the act of revolting against societal norms. Beckett, who had a clear-cut job in his industry, was the person who created the stir not only within his problems but those of others.
The movie Philadelphia is recommended to the viewers that are willing to analyze the smaller pieces that are added to the film which create the larger idea of social injustices in America. If viewers liked short HBO films such as Angels in America, viewing this film will be very well appreciated.
Authors: Maria L. & Jalisa S.
The court date has been set so the Beckett family had a meeting. You see the difference between how his family treats him and how different it is than outsiders. The camera is held by Beckett’s lover/partner they walk up to the house, but stopped infront have a bird bath under it was two hand prints that were covered in snow. In this shot you can see a bit into Beckett’s past and you can also see/understand his feelings for his family before we meet them. The film then want into the house to meet Beckett’s family. They all give him kisses and let the kids be held by him. We meet all the family and then the film cut to have the Beckett’s family and Beckett’s lover sitting down. Beckett tries to get everyone ready for the court. Telling them that things will be said and that things might end bad, but to never give up.
Since we know the meaning of Philly the movie was able to show that even is a place that is known for “brotherly love” can still have flaws. In the opening we hear the Bruce Springsteen song “Streets of Philadelphia” playing in the background as we see the city from an overhead view then we slowly move in a circle getting closer and closer into the city. As we get closer we see business people walking to or from work. The camera starts moving around again to bring the spotlight to the amount of people that don’t have much of anything. We see them sleep on the pile of leaves, begging for money and waiting to get some food from a homeless shelter. That opening creates the idea of level in this society. It opens the viewers’ eyes to the hardships and ease of life. Then it cuts off and goes to the two main protagonists of the film Beckett and Miller.
From there it unfolds to tell a story of overall injustice, starting with homophobia, sexism and racism. The camera angles are very straight on for the first half of the movie creating a closer relationship with viewer and character. It allows the audience to feel what each character is feeling even if they may not fully agree with it. In once scene after Beckett becomes terminally ill, he “misplaced” an important document that costed him his job. In the scene where he gets fired there is an obvious distance between him and his colleagues that was not apparent in scenes previous to this one. Here we see the injustice that unfolds within the corporate systems, how one person can make the decision to discharge an employee on wrongful terms (being that he has HIV/AIDS, with the implication that he is gay).
We are now in the library with on a half shot on Miller. He is sitting down reading when he was spotted by a white guy that gave him a weird look. Then it turns to show us Beckett reading. Everything seemed fine until a homophobic librarian comes into view. This is a scene that is particularly effective, its conveying the fear and contempt the surrounding people have about AIDS and homosexuality. We see points of growth throughout all of the characters which simulates the idea of a renaissance and creates a new type of understanding for social injustices. This movie not only addresses the injustices that are seen throughout society but it envelopes the act of revolting against societal norms. Beckett, who had a clear-cut job in his industry, was the person who created the stir not only within his problems but those of others.
The movie Philadelphia is recommended to the viewers that are willing to analyze the smaller pieces that are added to the film which create the larger idea of social injustices in America. If viewers liked short HBO films such as Angels in America, viewing this film will be very well appreciated.
Authors: Maria L. & Jalisa S.