Philadelphia

Director: Jonathan Demme

Stars: Tom Hanks, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Antonio Banderas, Denzel Washington

Year: 1993 Running Time: 122 mins Rating:

Tom Hanks won his first Oscar as a gay lawyer who takes his firm to court when he is sacked after his colleagues discover he has Aids. Class act Denzel Washington is the attorney who takes the case against his better judgement while Antonio Banderas goes against his natural macho grain as Hanks' lover. An involving drama, the film presents its case with grace and dignity without resorting to placard-waving histrionics.

Review

A real tear-jerker, professionally done, with strong, emotinally charged performances from the stars.

Tom Hanks won a deserved Oscar as a gay lawyer who believes he has been sacked by his plush leather firm because they found out he has AIDS, and gets wheeler-dealer counsel Denzel Washington to bring suit against them.

Though the issues are dealt with decently, at heart it's a courtroom drama - and a rousing one.

Bruce Springsteen won the film's second Oscar for best song - Streets of Philadelphia.