Philadelphia (1993)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writer (WGA):

Ron Nyswaner (written by)

Release Date:

23 December 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

No one would take on his case... until one man was willing to take on the system.

Plot:

When a man with AIDS is fired by a conservative law firm because of his condition, he hires a homophobic small time lawyer as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit.

Plot Keywords:

AIDS | Lawyer | Homophobia | Pennsylvania | City Name In Title

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Tom Hanks	...	Andrew Beckett
Denzel Washington	...	Joe Miller
Roberta Maxwell	...	Judge Tate
Buzz Kilman	...	Crutches
Karen Finley	...	Dr. Gillman
Daniel Chapman	...	Clinic Storyteller
Mark Sorensen Jr.	...	Clinic Patient
Jeffrey Williamson	...	Tyrone
Charles Glenn	...	Kenneth Killcoyne
Ron Vawter	...	Bob Seidman
Anna Deavere Smith	...	Anthea Burton
Stephanie Roth Haberle	...	Rachel Smilow (as Stephanie Roth)
Lisa Talerico	...	Shelby
Joanne Woodward	...	Sarah Beckett
Jason Robards	...	Charles Wheeler
Robert Ridgely	...	Walter Kenton
Chandra Wilson	...	Chandra
Ford Wheeler	...	Alan
David Drake	...	Bruno
Peter Jacobs	...	Peter / Mona Lisa
Antonio Banderas	...	Miguel Alvarez
Paul Lazar	...	Dr. Klenstein
Bradley Whitford	...	Jamey Collins
Lisa Summerour	...	Lisa Miller
Freddie Foxxx	...	Hospital Patient
Paul Moore	...	Hospital Patient
Warren Miller	...	Mr. Finley
Lauren Roselli	...	Iris
Jane Moore	...	Lydia Glines
Joey Perillo	...	Filko
Bill Rowe	...	Dr. Armbruster
Dennis Radesky	...	Santa Claus
Glen Hartell	...	Library Guard
Tracey Walter	...	Librarian
John Ignarri	...	Young Man in Library
Richard Ehrlich	...	Young Man in Library
Julius Erving	...	Himself
Ann Dowd	...	Jill Beckett
Katie Lintner	...	Alexis
Peg French	...	The Bronte Sisters
Ann Howard	...	The Bronte Sisters
Meghan Tepas	...	Meghan
John Bedford Lloyd	...	Matt Beckett
Robert W. Castle	...	Bud Beckett (as Robert Castle)
Molly Hickok	...	Molly Beckett
Dan Olmstead	...	Randy Beckett
Elizabeth Roby	...	Elizabeth Beckett
Adam LeFevre	...	Jill's Husband
Gary Goetzman	...	Guido Paonessa
Daniel von Bargen	...	Jury Foreman
Melissa Fraser Brown	...	Juror
Jordan Cael	...	Juror
Dodie Demme	...	Juror
Patricia Greenwell	...	Juror
Donovan Mannato	...	Juror
Harry Northup	...	Juror
Steven Scales	...	Juror
Billy Ray Tyson	...	Juror
Kenneth Utt	...	Juror
Steve Vignari	...	Juror
Lawrence T. Wrentz	...	Juror
Mary Steenburgen	...	Belinda Conine
Obba Babatundé	...	Jerome Green
James B. Howard	...	Dexter Smith
Charles Techman	...	Ralph Peterson
Charles Napier	...	Judge Garnett
Roger Corman	...	Mr. Laird
Jim Roche	...	Not Adam and Steve
Donna Hamilton	...	Angela Medina
Edward Rendell	...	Himself (as Mayor Edward Rendell)
Daniel Wolff	...	Filko's Buddy
John T. O'Connell	...	Macho Barfly
Edward Kirkland	...	Cousin Eddie
Tony Fitzpatrick	...	Bartender
Kathryn Witt	...	Melissa Benedict
Debra H. Ballard	...	Court Stenographer
Andre B. Blake	...	Young Man in Pharmacy (as André B. Blake)
Ira Flitter	...	Andrew's Friend
Gene Borkan	...	Bailiff
Jon Arterton	...	The Flirtations
Michael Callen	...	The Flirtations
Aurelio Font	...	The Flirtations
Jimmy Rutland	...	The Flirtations
Cliff Townsend	...	The Flirtations
Q. Lazzarus	...	Party Singer
Lucas Platt	...	Robert
Jiggs Walker	...	Punchline (as Lewis Walker)
Carmen Mahiques	...	Miguel's Mom
José Castillo	...	Miguel's Dad
Leigh Smiley	...	Younger Sarah Beckett
Philip Joseph 'PJ' McGee	...	Child Andrew
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Breslo
Valerio Bevilacqua	...	Hot dog stand (uncredited)
Roy Blount Jr.	...	Partygoer (uncredited)
Bob Bowersox	...	PR Director (uncredited)
Quentin Crisp	...	Guest at Party (uncredited)
Tom Detrik	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Tony Devon	...	Security Guard (uncredited)
Randy Aaron Fink	...	Emergency Room Doctor (uncredited)
Tak Fujimoto	...	Doctor (uncredited)
Jaime Gomez	...	Guy in Library (uncredited)
Ana Leza	...	Guest (uncredited)

Directed by
Jonathan Demme

Writing credits (WGA)
Ron Nyswaner		(written by)

Produced by
Ronald M. Bozman	....	executive producer (as Ron Bozman)
Jonathan Demme	....	producer
Gary Goetzman	....	executive producer
Edward Saxon	....	producer
Kenneth Utt	....	executive producer
Kristi Zea	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Howard Shore

Cinematography by
Tak Fujimoto

Film Editing by
Craig McKay

Casting by
Howard Feuer

Production Design by
Kristi Zea

Art Direction by
Tim Galvin

Set Decoration by
Karen O'Hara

Costume Design by
Colleen Atwood

Makeup Department
Alan D'Angerio	....	hair style designer
Carl Fullerton	....	makeup creator
Peter Owen	....	wig maker
Edna Sheen	....	makeup artist: Mr. Washington (as Edna M. Sheen)
Kenneth Walker	....	hair stylist: Mr. Washington

Production Management
Thomas A. Imperato	....	production supervisor
Steve Rose	....	unit production manager
Kenneth Utt	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ronald M. Bozman	....	first assistant director (as Ron Bozman)
Kristie Hart	....	second second assistant director
Kyle McCarthy	....	first assistant director: second unit
Drew Ann Rosenberg	....	second assistant director
Michelle Sullivan	....	dga trainee
Kristi Zea	....	second unit director

Art Department
Muhsana Ali	....	painter: Lisa's paintings
Rick Butler	....	assistant art director (as Richard Butler)
Francine Byrne	....	art department coordinator
Richard Crandall	....	scenic foreman
Dorsey Davis	....	set dresser
John R. Ford	....	assistant property master (as John Ford)
Eileen Garrigan	....	scenic charge artist
Frederika Gray	....	stand-by scenic
Robert Griffon Jr.	....	property master
Sandy James Harrer	....	set dresser
Robert Holtzman	....	set dresser
John R. Johnston	....	construction foreman
Peggy Khoury	....	assistant set decorator
Harry B. Koplin	....	props
Gary Kosko	....	assistant art director
Silvija L. Moess	....	scenic foreman
Ken Nelson	....	construction coordinator (as Kenneth Nelson)
Buster Pile	....	construction foreman (as Eugene Pile II)
Salvatore Pinto	....	painter: Miguel's paintings
Greg Rocco	....	set dresser (as Gregory N. Rocco)
Juan Suarez Botas	....	painter: Miguel's paintings
Kenneth Turek	....	key set dresser (as Ken Turek)
Ford Wheeler	....	set dresser (as C. Ford Wheeler)
Will Grant	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Mary O'Brien	....	scenic artist (uncredited)
Richard Salinas	....	painter (uncredited)
Nell Stifel	....	scenic artist (uncredited)
Paul Williams	....	carpenter (uncredited)

Sound Department
Ron Bochar	....	supervising sound editor
David Boulton	....	adr engineer
Robert Castellano	....	sound re-recordist
Kam Chan	....	assistant sound editor
Laura Civiello	....	dialogue editor
Marko A. Costanzo	....	foley artist (as Marko Costanzo)
Chris Fielder	....	assistant sound editor
Tom Fleischman	....	sound re-recording mixer
Frank Kern	....	foley editor
Dennis Maitland II	....	boom operator
Douglas Murray	....	sound re-recordist (as Doug Murray)
Christopher Newman	....	production sound mixer (as Chris Newman)
Eliza Paley	....	foley editor
Bruce Pross	....	foley supervisor
Nicholas Renbeck	....	apprentice sound editor
Fred Rosenberg	....	dialogue editor (as Fredric Rosenberg)
Steve Scanlon	....	sound recordist
Diane Schaub	....	assistant adr editor
Reilly Steele	....	additional sound re-recordist
Steven Visscher	....	foley editor
Deborah Wallach	....	adr editor
Michael Aharon	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
John Anthony	....	sound recordist (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Janos Pilenyi	....	optical effects supervisor (as Janos O. Pilenyi)

Camera and Electrical Department
Garrett Brown	....	Steadicam operator
Patrick Capone	....	first assistant camera
Andrew Casey	....	second assistant camera (as Andrew W. Casey)
Ken Connors	....	rigging gaffer (as Kenneth Conners)
Russell Engels	....	chief lighting technician (as Russ Engels)
James W. Finnerty	....	key grip
Tony C. Jannelli	....	camera operator (as Tony Jannelli)
Clayton J. Liotta	....	Steadicam assistant
Bruce MacCallum	....	camera operator: "b" camera
John R. McAleer Jr.	....	camera trainee
Billy Miller	....	dolly grip (as William A. Miller)
Matt Miller	....	rigging grip (as Matthew Miller)
Patrick B. O'Brien	....	assistant camera: "b" camera
Toshiaki Ozawa	....	grip
Ronald Plant	....	best boy grip
Ken Regan	....	still photographer
James C. Walsh	....	best boy electric (as James Walsh)
Rick Whitfield	....	video playback operator
Tim Davies	....	grip (uncredited)
Steven Litecky	....	electrician (uncredited)
David Norris	....	camera technician: Wescam camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Nicole Arbusto	....	casting associate
Susan Gish	....	extras casting supervisor

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Timothy Alberts	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Timothy J. Alberts)
Frances Cook	....	wardrobe assistant
David Davenport	....	wardrobe supervisor
Kathleen Gerlach	....	associate costume designer
Lisa R. Frucht	....	additional wardrobe (uncredited)

Editorial Department
David Bryden	....	color timer (as Dave Bryden)
Todd Factor	....	post-production coordinator
Kelly Irvine	....	second assistant editor
Annette Kudrak	....	apprentice editor
Colleen Sharp	....	associate editor
Debra C. Victoroff	....	first assistant editor

Music Department
Nicholas Meyers	....	music editor
Suzana Peric	....	music editor
Nic Ratner	....	assistant music editor (as Nicolas Ratner)
David Rogow	....	assistant music editor
Howard Shore	....	conductor
John Kurlander	....	music scoring mixer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Thomas Fitzgerald	....	transportation co-captain: Philadelphia
John Morrone III	....	transportation captain: Philadelphia
Edward O'Donnell	....	transportation captain (as Edward J. O'Donnell)
Dennis Radesky	....	transportation co-captain
James Patrick Whalen Jr.	....	transportation captain (as James Whalen Jr.)
Michael Avallon	....	driver (uncredited)
Bobby Marsh	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Marc Antony Alexander	....	production intern
Jennifer Anderson	....	production assistant (as Jennifer Taback)
Neda Armian	....	production assistant
Judy Arthur	....	unit publicist
Brian Atkins	....	production intern
Thomas 'Doc' Boguski	....	production secretary (as Thomas Boguski)
Lisa Corrine Broaddus	....	production intern
Jan Carroll	....	production projectionist
Diana Choi	....	assistant: Mr. Saxon
Alex Cohn	....	production assistant
Signe Corriere	....	assistant: Mr. Demme
Scott Currie	....	assistant location manager (as Scott C. Currie)
Robin Fajardo	....	assistant: Mr. Utt
Vanessa Fenton	....	production assistant
Allen Ferro	....	title consultant
Pablo Ferro	....	title designer: main title sequence
Charles Fields Jr.	....	production assistant
Tracey D. Gatewood	....	production intern
Anthony Gentile	....	craft service
Melissa Givey	....	production assistant
Benjamin Goldberg	....	production assistant (as Benjamin G. Goldberg)
Alisa Goldstone	....	production assistant
Lisi Gottlieb	....	production intern
Michele Grant	....	key set assistant
Anne Gyory	....	script supervisor
A. Scott Hoffman	....	medic
Nancy Duvall Horne	....	assistant: Mr. Goetzman
Andrea Isaacs	....	assistant accountant
A. Dino Johnson	....	security consultant
Michael Johnson	....	second assistant accountant
Mike Judge	....	police supervisor
Kate Kelly	....	assistant production office coordinator
Lara Kelly	....	stage coordinator
Eric Kim	....	production intern
Paul Kostick	....	assistant: Mr. Hanks
Rosemary Lombard	....	production office coordinator
Joseph Miceli	....	production intern
George Norfleet	....	location assistant
Terry Odem	....	assistant: Mr. Hanks
Steven Overman	....	assistant: Mr. Demme
Dawn Murphy Riley	....	production assistant
Olimpia T. Rinaldi	....	production assistant
John Rubbo	....	city hall liaison
Steve Shareshian	....	production accountant
Ellen Shire	....	location manager: second unit
Lucille Smith	....	fiscal representative
Neri Kyle Tannenbaum	....	location manager
Valerie Thomas	....	production associate
Jayne Walko	....	production secretary
Gina White	....	assistant: Mr. Washington (as Gina L. White)
Jomo Kenyatta Wilson	....	production assistant
Al Cerullo	....	helicopter pilot (uncredited)
Mark Gulbrandsen	....	dailies projection technician (uncredited)
Adrienne King	....	looping voices (uncredited)
David G. Knappe	....	stand-in: Tom Hanks (uncredited)
David H. Kramer	....	adr loop group (uncredited)
David Lanphier Jr.	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Michael Lehman	....	location scout (uncredited)
Sharon Pinkenson	....	film commissioner: Greater Philadelphia Film Office (uncredited)
Bill Timoney	....	adr loop group (uncredited)
Michael Wakely	....	location scout (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Clinica Estetico
• TriStar Pictures

Distributors

• TriStar Pictures (1993) (USA) (theatrical)
• Prooptiki (1994) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1996) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (Argentina)
• Columbia TriStar Film (Germany)
• Columbia TriStar Films Pty. Ltd. (Australia)
• Columbia TriStar Films de España (Spain)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• Columbia TriStar (Brazil) (DVD)
• LK-TEL Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• LK-TEL (Argentina) (video)
• Videosonic Arts (1994) (Greece) (video)

Other Companies

• C-5  sound effects and foley
• C5  post-production sound services
• CRM Group Inc.  Wescam aerial
• Cerruti 1881  selected wardrobe
• Coast to Coast Catering  catering
• Du Art Film Laboratories  color timing (as Du Art)
• Epic Soundtrax  soundtrack
• Inter Video  24 frame video services
• Kathy Wickline Casting  extras casting
• Mike Lemon Casting  Philadelphia casting
• Nancy Seltzer & Associates  public relations
• Sound One Corporation  post-production facilities
• Speakeasy  adr casting
• Technicolor  color timing
• Title House  main and end title opticals

Also Known As:

At Risk (USA) (working title)
People Like Us (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some graphic language and thematic material.

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Portugal:M/12 | Mexico:C | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 (bw) | Netherlands:AL | Norway:10 | Peru:14 | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

City Hall - Broad and 15th Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Clinica Estetico

Trivia:

While filming on Market Street, the Mellon Bank Building had been changed to the Wheeler Building and the art department had made temporary signs that were placed over the ones for Mellon. As a result of this, many law students that were scheduled to go on interviews for impending jobs missed their appointment. The reason given was that all they could find was the Wheeler & Wheeler building and had difficulty finding the Mellon Building.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Jamie is looking for files on Andew's computer at work, the computer, an old IBM PS/2, is switched off (the power switch is down).

Quotes:

Joe Miller: Now, explain it to me like I'm a four-year-old.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Extras: Sir Ian McKellen (#2.5)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

All The Way

Carefully Inspiring

There is a moment in the film in which I looked into his character's eyes and believed that Tom Hanks was actually gay. The commitment in his performance is monumental. The film is an episode of "The Practice" and not necessarily one of the best but if I feel inordinately happy I put "Philadelphia" on. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes. I loved Hanks in the part because I believed him so completely. The casting of Joanne Woodward is a stroke of genius. What an extraordinary actress. Her much to brief but perfect, moving, beautiful portrayal adds layers and layers to Hanks's character. We complete our understanding of him because of her. Denzel Washington is great fun to watch and as good as he is I haven't yet warmed up to him. There is something there that confuses me. Convincing in "Training Day" Unconvincing in "The Preacher's Wife" Banderas is lovely even if it was difficult to imagine him in a "Law of Desire" scene with Tom Hanks. I'm sure that a bit more explicitness about their relationship could have lifted this good movie into a great one, but probably wouldn't have made as much money. I'm not sure if I made myself clear, I'm recommending the film. I am, the qualms are all mine. Pay no attention. Hanks at his phenomenal best, Joanne Woodward and Bruce Springsteen. Of course I recommend it.