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AIDS Major 
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TITLE |
Philadelphia (1993) |
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NOTES |
Hanks plays
Andrew Beckett who is working very successfully for a
Philadelphia law firm. He discovers he has AIDS but keeps this
quiet along with being gay. Soon after he is given |
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an important
case a partner points out a lesion on his |
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forehead and
his condition starts to deteriorate. The notes for |
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his case
disappear from his computer and he gets the sack |
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on grounds
of incompetence. |
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Beckett
knowing the real reason for his dismissal brings a |
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case of
discrimination against the firm. |
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He is
defended by Joe Miller (Washington) who isn't exactly |
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pro gay or
sympathetic towards someone with AIDS. |
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It's
important that films deal with important issues. Shindler's
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List is a
story 50 years in arrears, Costa Grava's Missing |
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came 10
years to late to really matter. The China Syndrome |
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resonated
and became a reference point. Philadelphia would |
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appear to be
topical and bang on target, yet while the story is |
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interesting
and informative melodrama rules over a drama |
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with depth.
Hanks and Washington's character are well |
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drawn and
acted well. But Becket's family are soggily PC, his |
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boss is over
the top in his reactions, his boyfriend is barely |
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visible and
the prosecutor doesn't have her heart in it. |
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There are
better films to be made about AIDS but this is the |
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one with the
most impact. |
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Notes
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