Philadelphia (1993)

Last updated:
September 7, 2025

Jonathan Demme’s Philadelphia is one of the first major Hollywood films to tackle HIV/AIDS, homophobia, and social prejudice head-on. With powerhouse performances from Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, the movie blends courtroom drama with human tragedy, creating a story that is as heartbreaking as it is vital.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Andrew Beckett’s Dismissal

Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) is a talented lawyer at a prestigious Philadelphia law firm. When the partners discover he has AIDS, they orchestrate his dismissal under the guise of incompetence. Beckett suspects he was fired because of his illness and sexuality, and he decides to fight back.

Joe Miller Enters the Picture

Andrew turns to Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a small-time lawyer who initially refuses to take the case due to his own homophobia and fear of contracting the disease. However, after witnessing discrimination firsthand, Joe agrees to represent Andrew. Their partnership becomes the emotional core of the film.

The Courtroom Battle

The courtroom scenes are tense and emotional. Andrew’s former employers argue that he was let go for professional reasons, while Joe builds the case that discrimination was at play. One of the film’s most striking moments is Andrew passionately explaining his love for opera to Joe, revealing how music helps him express emotions he cannot otherwise voice.

Growing Respect

As the trial progresses, Joe’s views shift. He grows to respect Andrew deeply, not only as a client but as a man. Their evolving relationship mirrors society’s slow confrontation with prejudice and misunderstanding around AIDS.

Movie Ending

The jury rules in Andrew’s favor, awarding him a large financial settlement. Justice, at least legally, is served. However, Andrew’s health is rapidly declining. In the final scenes, Andrew lies in the hospital, frail and exhausted, surrounded by his loved ones, including his partner Miguel. After a heartfelt goodbye with Joe, Andrew dies from AIDS-related complications.

The film closes with Andrew’s funeral reception, where friends and family gather to watch home movies of him as a child. The sequence is deeply emotional—children playing, a young Andrew laughing on the beach—underscoring the humanity lost in the AIDS crisis. It’s both a celebration of Andrew’s life and a call for compassion.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Philadelphia does not feature any post-credits scenes. The story concludes with Andrew’s funeral reception and the credits roll without additional material.

Type of Movie

This is a legal drama and social issue film, blending courtroom suspense with deeply human storytelling. It’s also widely recognized as a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema.

Cast

Tom Hanks as Andrew Beckett
Denzel Washington as Joe Miller
Antonio Banderas as Miguel Álvarez (Andrew’s partner)
Mary Steenburgen as Belinda Conine (defense attorney)
Jason Robards as Charles Wheeler (head of Beckett’s law firm)
Joanne Woodward as Sarah Beckett (Andrew’s mother)

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Howard Shore, whose somber and tender arrangements support the film’s emotional weight. Two major songs stand out:

“Streets of Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
“Philadelphia” by Neil Young, played over the end credits, further anchoring the film’s haunting atmosphere.

Filming Locations

Filming took place largely in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Notable sites include:

City Hall and the courtrooms for the trial sequences.
Locust Street and Center City for Andrew’s apartment.
The real Philadelphia skyline and streets give the film authenticity and anchor the story in a city with rich history and a working-class identity.

Awards and Nominations

Won: Academy Award for Best Actor (Tom Hanks)
Won: Academy Award for Best Original Song (Bruce Springsteen – “Streets of Philadelphia”)
Nominated: Best Screenplay, Best Makeup, Best Original Song (Neil Young’s “Philadelphia”)
Golden Globe and Grammy Awards also recognized both Hanks and Springsteen.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Director Jonathan Demme wanted to make a film that humanized the AIDS crisis for mainstream audiences.
Tom Hanks lost significant weight for his role to authentically portray Andrew’s declining health.
Denzel Washington admitted he was hesitant to take on the role due to fears of audience reaction, but later called it one of the most important films of his career.
Antonio Banderas’s role as Andrew’s partner Miguel was groundbreaking for its tenderness and lack of stereotypes.

Inspirations and References

The story is loosely inspired by real-life cases, most notably Geoffrey Bowers, a lawyer who sued his firm for discrimination after being dismissed when he was diagnosed with AIDS. While fictionalized, the movie’s events reflect very real struggles faced by many during the AIDS epidemic.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

A few deleted scenes exist, including additional moments between Andrew and Miguel that deepened their relationship. However, no alternate ending was filmed; the tragic conclusion was always part of the story.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Philadelphia was an original screenplay by Ron Nyswaner and not adapted from a book. However, after the film’s release, novelizations and analyses of the movie appeared, mostly to reach a broader audience and contextualize its impact.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Andrew’s passionate opera monologue while listening to Maria Callas.
Joe confronting his own biases in a video store scene.
The heartbreaking hospital farewell between Andrew and Joe.
The jury’s verdict in favor of Andrew, juxtaposed against his visible decline.

Iconic Quotes

Andrew Beckett: “Every problem has a solution.”
Joe Miller: “What do you call a thousand lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.”
Andrew Beckett: “I don’t want to just survive. I want to live.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The use of real Philadelphia locations grounds the film, subtly emphasizing the city’s role as the “cradle of liberty”—a symbolic backdrop for a case about civil rights.
The opera scene wasn’t just a character beat; it was Demme’s way of showing Andrew’s inner world in cinematic form.

Trivia

Tom Hanks prepared for the role by spending time with real AIDS patients.
Springsteen almost didn’t submit “Streets of Philadelphia” because he thought it wasn’t cinematic enough.
The film was groundbreaking for depicting a same-sex couple with compassion during a time when Hollywood largely ignored or stereotyped LGBTQ+ characters.

Why Watch?

Philadelphia is more than a courtroom drama—it’s a human story about dignity, prejudice, and empathy. It remains essential viewing for anyone interested in films that break barriers and shine light on real-world struggles.

Director’s Other Movies (Jonathan Demme)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Something Wild (1986)
Married to the Mob (1988)

Philadelphia (1993)