Philadelphia - 8 stars out of 10

Philadelphia - 8 stars out of 10

"Philadelphia" is an emotionally charged drama that focuses on the prejudice towards AIDS victims.  The presentation of the story is wonderful, first showing Tom Hanks as a promising young lawyer and quickly transitioning to his rapidly deteriorating health.  The scene in Denzel Washington's office is the most poignant of the entire film, showing the unjust judgment and paranoia caused by the disease.  One qualm that I have with the story is that the law firm did not actually fire him due to his AIDS or his homosexuality.  Once that information is revealed, it became difficult for me to pull for him to win the case, knowing that the law firm did not do anything wrong.  The second half of the movie tends to drag, particularly the opera scene, but Tom Hanks is reason enough to keep watching.  His first of two back-to-back Oscars was well deserved as he transforms into a sickly shell of a man.  Denzel Washington is equally as awesome as his character's perspective progressively changes toward AIDS and homosexuality.  Finally, Mary Steenburgen makes an incredibly convincing lawyer for the defense, creating the best possible case for the law firm... except for the lesions on the chest - she loses that argument in one of the most tear-jerking moments of the film.  "Philadelphia" may have its slow moments, but great acting brings this tragically sad story to life.  You will grow emotionally attached to Hanks and plead with the jury to rule in his favor when you watch this significant addition to cinema history.