Siskel & Ebert - Philadelphia

Arguably the best film of 1993 was Philadelphia starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. The film was the first Hollywood big-budget, big-star film to tackle the issue of AIDS in the United States and was partially based on a true story about the life of Geoffery Bowers. Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert gave the film 2 thumbs up and Tom Hanks won Best Actor at the 66th Academy Awards.

[@Tbone51]

Two of the most talented, powerful actors ever: Tom and Denzel.

[@xendava7217]

This was a great film. Two outstanding performances by two outstanding actors.

[@gheller2261]

This is only a great film if you know little about the law. The courtroom scenes were ridiculous, mostly because the issues already would have been decided on motion practice and the defense offered by the defendant was contradictory and made it obvious that he was fired for having AIDS.

[@xendava7217]

@@gheller2261 Yeah, guess you are right about that. The Tom Hanks character probably could have handled it on his own. He didn't need the lawyer. Had it been real, the defendant would have muddied the waters far more then that. You're right. I guess that's why we have a legal right to a lawyer. Because it's more complex then what the movie depicted. I feel bad for those who don't get a lawyer. It would seem based on your post that who ever should face the system without one is pretty much screwed.

[@65g4]

Tom hanks didnt just get nominated he won

[@newwavepop]

every time i ever watch this film it devastates me, i dont know whats more powerful than that.

[@alonealien1474]

As someone else has already pointed out, "Philadelphia" 's ending, with that song in Neil Young's voice, is so heart wrenching! I have watched "Philadelphia" more than a few times and that ending still makes me emotional. "City of brotherly love Place I call home Don't turn your back on me I don't want to be alone..."

[@reneedennis2011]

I have watched this movie only once. Why? I cried at the end.

[@judiroth7855]

Renee Dennis Rewatch it. Brilliant🌈🌈👏

[@cnj1000]

I watched it recently and it is still very sad. Excellent film all around.

[@reneedennis2011]

@@cnj1000 I agree.

[@flipperhansen5600]

What a moving movie.

[@beechnut8779]

Neil Young's song at the end just about ripped my heart out. I can't believe it lost out to Springsteen's song (good, but not as emotionally powerful) as the Oscar Best Song Award.

[@alonealien1474]

I absolutely agree. I have watched "Philadelphia" quite a few times and that ending, with both its visuals and Neil Young's voice, makes me totally break down each time!

[@kennethzinke9168]

Siskel and Ebert 4-EVER!!!!

[@uyeda]

Denzel Washington was also in The Pelican Brief same year he did that film. Tom Hanks was also in Sleepless in Seattle when he did Philadelphia as well.

[@flmbyz]

Back when stars in movies mattered. Back when there were stars.

[@christianhafer9819]

Okay. I'm sure they did a lot of movies these years. Lol.

[@Phillyguy316]

Tom Hanks was filming Forrest Gump on location in South Carolina (doubling for Alabama) and Savannah, Georgia when Philadelphia premiered in 1993.

[@msminmichigan]

This was one of the riskiest career moves Hanks ever did. First, before this he was known as a comedic actor so to switch to drama was risky. Second, for a straight actor to play gay at that time was considered risky. Third, the topic of aids was still taboo. It obviously paid off big time but it also could have just as easily been career suicide if the movie hadn't been successful.

[@degaulle30]

Absolutely superb picture.

[@seanvogt221]

I totally agree with Siskel and Ebert with the courtroom part that it could’ve been better. But still a good film.

[@lw3646]

Yeah, it was fairly straightforward for them to prove their case in the movie.

[@titusmccarthy]

This was a GREAT movie.

[@lanagorgeous9485]

They both got this wrong. It was one of the most powerful films I've ever seen!

[@traceytracey4821]

I agree totally. They are ashamed of this review is all I can hope for.

[@DannyCosmos]

they said it was powerful what you mean?

[@DannyCosmos]

@@traceytracey4821 they said it was powerful? they gave it a posetive review bro

[@bigduke5902]

Remember when movies were made for adults?

[@movieman104]

rhis movie made me cry n very few movies do

[@gailwebb9619]

Oh yes...esp the ending. When Andy is dying in the hospital and his family is saying good bye and his brother breaks down....so do I. Then the wake...and the videos of the family and the songs played...went through half a box of Kleenex.

[@christianhafer9819]

Great movie. Not one you can watch 100 times though.

[@joshuapeterson6072]

Everyone is right about Philadelphia, its like Schindlers List. Very powerful film you have to see, but its very painful to continually watch again and again. I always,thought the opera scene was most powerful. Anyone remember what opera it was?

[@andreasantoni6896]

When I saw this film on Netflix and this film made me think about the LGBTQ+ community and the HIV/AIDS issue. This is the kind of film that makes me think. When it comes to films that make me think about the LGBTQ+ community and the HIV/AIDS virus the movie Philadelphia is the killed two birds with one stone by doing so. Jonathan Timmy did a very good job depicting the LGBTQ+ community and the HIV/AIDS issue in a human light.

[@niknak410]

They mention minor characters before densel. Let's acknowledge denzel for always bringing his A game, not unlike Tom Hanks. Both are Hollywood staples, dont you think

[@donaldbadowski290]

This movie didn't hold back in any sense. For instance during the trial it comes out that even though Tom's character was supposed to be in a committed relationship (just like heterosexual couples) they both visited bath houses for casual sex with strangers.

[@lhart99]

I'm really surprised Siskel & Ebert gave two thumbs up to Wayne's World 2.

[@lhart99]

I totally agree with Siskel & Ebert. I thought the film was great until the courtroom stuff, specifically the scenes where Denzel Washington and Mary Steenburgen are saying, "Oh, durr, explain it to me as if I was a little kid." It's that type of contempt that couldn't get over. You know just as well as I do that BS wouldn't happen in a courtroom. If the scenes were done in a more adult manor I could have enjoyed it. But to just dumb it down to such a low common denominator was annoying. I didn't expect to see an endless parade of legal jargon that would no doubt be over my head. But come the fuck on, you gonna tell me that type of shit flies in a courtroom for real?

[@natecw4164]

Wonder what they thought of Gilbert, specifically DiCaprio. That movie sucks but Leo did a good job for being so young and raw. Real talent on display.

[@ronaldwayne7092]

They loved it. As did I.

[@joegrennon]

I didn't like Steenburgen's line "I hate this case". I thought it was badly written, poorly delivered and instead of giving the character depth, it indicated that she was an insincere, duplicit lawyer. who is selling out her values.

[@msminmichigan]

Unfortunately, too many lawyers who work for big corporate firms have to do that.

[@seanreyes6866]

That line was actually ad-libbed by her

[@joegrennon]

I thought it might have been and I understand the motivation to walk back some of the nastiness. I just think that it's ham-fisted and she might have made the point in a more subtle way.

[@metalmadsen]

Wow. A movie these two didn’t hate.

[@katvtay]

It’s more surprising they’re on the same page and Siskel didn’t hate it. He was far less forgiving than Ebert.

[@fromthehaven94]

Yeah, because movies ads in the 80's and 90's which added positive critical reviews never included "and Siskel and Ebert give it 'Two Thumbs Up'" in them.

[@avisco01]

No offense but this is an ignorant comment.

[@mjacobsable]

Actually, there are quite a few movies that Siskel and Ebert liked

[@takerdust]

Bruh, they even gave 2 thumbs up to Wayne's World 2.

[@adrianstevens165]

Was that two thumbs up?

[@jeepthing98]

yes, they both say they recommend it.

[@Myndir]

Where?

[@traceytracey4821]

What a horrid review. I just watched this movie again after many years. I had somehow forgotten just how important this movie was at the time. These guys got it right with the "look at me" part, however, the dismissal of performances by these magnificent actors is a shame....and hardly a mention of Denzel. What performances by both of these lead actors. Flawless, by both. Everything about this movie is perfect. The courtroom scenes S&E hated was of great importance to the film. The dialogue is so important!!! I hope S&E are looking down on this and wishing they could re-do this review. This is the worst review of this movie ever. And Siskel's comment "what victims must feel, among many other things, OBVIOUSLY, their going to die"....THANKFULLY that statement IS NOT true anymore! If you haven't seen this movie...you should.

[@eugeneyoung5279]

Two hacks, S and E, whose only claim to fame was "critiquing" others who were mainly masters at their crafts. It's like watching the loud mouth, Stephen A. Smith, "critiquing " boxers and telling them what they should do. The nerve.

[@fenwar9060]

@@eugeneyoung5279 Yet here you are.🤣

[@eugeneyoung5279]

@@fenwar9060 yes I am. Is that a problem? They sucked Period.

[@fenwar9060]

@@eugeneyoung5279 Not a problem for me but it definitely is for you.😁

[@eugeneyoung5279]

@@fenwar9060 yet, you responded to my comment. Get a life.