A harrowing yet hopeful courtroom drama that pierces the veil of prejudice through the lens of a dying man's dignity. Amidst the sterile coldness of the law, a red-lit opera aria becomes a transcendent metaphor for life, love, and the agony of mortality.
Philadelphia
"No one would take on his case... until one man was willing to take on the system."
Director:
Jonathan Demme
Cast:
Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Antonio Banderas
Drama
Budget:
$26,000,000
Box Office:
$206,678,440
Philadelphia - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details
Easter Eggs
Roger Corman Cameo
Legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman, who gave Jonathan Demme his start in the industry, appears as Mr. Laird, one of the law firm partners.
Demme's Regulars
Actors Charles Napier and Tracey Walter, who frequently appeared in Demme's films (like Silence of the Lambs), have small roles as the judge and the librarian, respectively.
Real-Life Activist Extras
Many of the extras in the film were associated with 'Action AIDS' in Philadelphia, immortalizing real members of the community who were fighting the disease.
Liberty Bell Imagery
The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are frequently shown to juxtapose the city's historical symbols of freedom with the current reality of discrimination.