Philadelphia | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

81% Tomatometer 64 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings

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).

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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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Critics Reviews

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Philadelphia | Rotten Tomatoes (1) 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 Philadelphia | Rotten Tomatoes (2) 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 Philadelphia | Rotten Tomatoes (3) 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 Philadelphia | Rotten Tomatoes (4) 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 Philadelphia | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Steve Warren Southern Voice (Atlanta) Despite its weaknesses, Philadelphia can be enthralling and deeply moving at times. May 9, 2023 Full Review Philadelphia | Rotten Tomatoes (6) 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

Audience Reviews

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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 5/5 Stars • 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 4/5 Stars • 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 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/23/24 Full Review Audience Member Did no one spot the outstanding clanger in the film?Hanks' character is given that prime law case AND promoted to senior associate up front.The entire court room drama never mentioned the promotion !!!! That in itself would be the most compelling reason to use as proof Andy was the most competent lawyer the firm had. FFS. Who directed this film?In any film watch out for "product placement" - a branded item seen or mentioned in the movie. Like a close up of a "Sharp" microwave oven in a kitchen scene just behind an actor. Perfect white teeth 😁😁😁😁😁 , no. matter what the role is. It's 2024 and makeup departments still can't make teeth look realistic. Close up scenes only make the white teeth more incongruous. Denzel Washington staring into the camera, practically blinding me with the dazzling perfect veneers. People have yellowish teeth generally speaking. Hollywood stars do not apparently. It's like a competition for the whitest teeth. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/19/24 Full Review Max W From opposing discrimination to celebrating life, even 30 years later, Philadelphia still has moments that can touch the hearts of everyone. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/16/24 Full Review Jules N Un film très émouvant en partie dû à la performance de Tom Hanks qui est tout simplement parfaite. Il propose une approche très réelle de la situation des malades du SIDA de l'époque et de la discrimination qu'ils subissaient. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/09/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Jonathan Demme Director Tom Hanks Andrew Beckett Denzel Washington Joe Miller Jason Robards Charles Wheeler Antonio Banderas Miguel Alvarez Joanne Woodward Sarah Beckett
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Philadelphia

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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Philadelphia: Trailer 1 Philadelphia: Trailer 1 2:54 Denzel Washington Coolest Lines Mashup Denzel Washington Coolest Lines Mashup 2:00 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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