Tom Hanks & Justice Triumph in Philadelphia

The first mainstream movie to talk about AIDS is maybe still the best. Philadelphia continues to make me cry, and the message of the film matters today. Let's take a look.
/ mattbaume
/ mattbaume

[@danderson8431]

The tenderness that Denzel shows when placing on the oxygen mask is such a nice moment.

[@maciekpawowski6815]

He put it on wrong though

[@Randoplants]

Antonio Banderas is also amazing in this film as Andy’s partner. He plays his character so passionately, ready to punch the whole world to save his love. He and Tom Hanks work so well together. This is definitely a good movie to watch with several boxes of tissues.

[@sparkers70]

Cried my eyes out the first time I saw this movie. It's definitely one of the finest performances of Tom's career.

[@Andrew_Warden]

This movie came out when I was 11, the same age when things began to become clear, and I first came out to myself. I remember seeing my mom watch this movie with so much empathy for Tom Hank's character. She loved this movie.

[@johnluciano7241]

Thanks Matt: Great Movie, recall it well, but it is like reliving a horrible time in my life. My partner in 1992-95,was Tom Hanks in all aspects.HIV was everywhere. People and friends dying every weekend. Lost 35 of em. So I feel everything, still to this day can't watch the film without a hankie..Thanks,keep them comin!

[@Trund27]

John Luciano I’m sorry for your losses.

[@missdoglover1644]

I’m so sorry for what you went through and your losses. Prejudice is and has always been wrong. We are all human beings. It makes me so angry and sad that things were ever this way.

[@joelmaqueira4851]

Sending love your way.

[@sfkeepay]

One year in college, I met a boy in a coding class who wore earrings in both ears. This was in Michigan in 1992, so it was...unusual. I thought he might be gay, and he was very cute, so I introduced myself. He wasn’t gay, but we became good friends, and one evening, long after I’d come out to him, he confided that his older brother was gay, but had actually died of AIDS some time before. When Philadelphia was released, he and I went to see it together. The theater was packed. After the movie was over, he and I sat there in silence until literally the entire audience had left. He finally stood up and we went to leave when he reached out, pulled me to him, said just “hard movie, man” and just started sobbing as we held on to each other. It was so humbling. I felt helpless, incredibly moved and so sad for him, but also, honored, that he let me in like that. It was impossible not to love him, and by extension, that brother I’d never met. I will never forget it.

[@PaceFilmsProductions]

For me the scene that always gets me (there are other moments but this is the strongest and one I don't often see mentioned) is where the mom says her good bye, "Goodnight my angel, my sweet boy." Not only is is heartbreaking to see a parent have to watch her son die, the beauty of the words itself but also knowing that they came from the writer's sister when her son died. FYI I'm totally crying just writing this comment.

[@ziffulmyer]

The part that got to me the most was the ending, showing the old family movies.

[@missdoglover1644]

I cry like a baby every time I watch it.

[@stephysteph9538]

That scene gets me every time!

[@friendofdorothy9376]

The ending was a tough one for me. Two other hard scenes being when Andy had to rush to the bathroom and his friend walked over to help him...and when the woman with HIV was testifying and said she was just like Andy and “was just trying to survive”. 😢 I saw the movie with my friend Mark and as we walked back to our cars he completely broke down in the parking lot.

[@GlennDavey]

Yeah I thought we were done and BOOM nooooo you got meeee whaaaaaa

[@stevensmith426]

​@@friendofdorothy9376I hate that scene when Andy is in the toilet and you can hear him crying. It gives us an idea of the sheer terror and despair that a human being would feel in that situation.

[@BrendanHadash]

You might want to talk about my favorite movie: Jeffrey that came out in 1995. It is an upbeat love story in the time of AIDS starring Steven Weber. Patrick Stewart plays his first role after being Star Trek captain as a flamboyant gay man. Also there are many great cameos by big name stars.

[@hearmymotoredheart]

Yes! Such a glorious yet painfully underrated film!

[@PaulBrady1]

That move is such a wonderful time capsule now! It was released just before the life-prolonging drug cocktails came out. Everything was different. I personally feel that people looked out for each other more. There was more of an underlying kindness in the community. Everybody really did know that "we're all in this together."

[@GlennDavey]

Huh, so he did that and Frazier around the same time. Pat was really gaying it up in the late 90s. And then would meet Sir Ian McKellen on the set of X-Men in 1999. The rest is history. Friends for life. That whole thing makes total sense now.

[@malikshakur1306]

the scene where tom describes the opera to denzel is truly a triumph of cinema and brings me to tears.

[@carlfrano6384]

This movie, when it came out, touched me so deeply that my friends actually had to help assist me out of the theatre. Cut ahead nearly 30 years later. I haven't seen the movie since, but your review had my crying in a public park. Also, all these years, whenever I hear Bruce Springsteen sing the title song, my heart breaks. Losing A LOT of your best friends in the 1980's is impossible to describe to someone today.

[@Citadel1221]

The opera scene: a scene so good that even watching a review of it makes me cry.

[@GlennDavey]

Yup. There's all kinds of stuff going on in it. My initial intuition as a kid was that it was a dramatization of the chemo slowly cooking him from the inside, as the scene turns more red and the fire glows whiter, and just a performance of his suffering and slow dying. We are made to feel it second-hand with Denzel, before he leaves and goes to hug his children. Cinema is truly "a machine for generating empathy". But that was at a visceral level as kid, before I understood all the other subtext on subsequent viewings when I grew up. I still feel like the scene works on a sub-conscious level, but understanding all the issues as a grown-up makes it an absolutely masterful cinematic work. I'm in awe.

[@hachiemachie]

I was only about 14 when this came out, and I didn't see it until it was out on VHS, which was a good thing because I cried for at least an hour after watching it. I still get choked up just thinking about it.

[@arielklay23]

I couldn't bring myself to watch this movie because it just hurts too much. It reminds me of me about how my late husband Tim died of AIDS in '95. I remember how Tim cried when he heard the lyrics, "My clothes don't fit me no more," from the song, "Streets of Philadelphia." Tim told me about his HIV status after we first met and I eventually ended up marrying him, I had no idea how much his illness and death would hurt me. However, we had a beautiful life for as long as we did and I am thankful he crossed my path.

[@Rukai]

I watched this in our highschool English class one time, probably end of term where things were slow and all the exams were done in suburban Australia. And like all movies watched in class we never got to finish it. I scouted Sanity for a while until I found it tucked in the discount bin, and bawled my eyes out at the end. I'm not saying it influences the way I work, but maybe it has. Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington were amazing

[@donlevy3141]

Good choice of film. I forgot how moving Philadelphia is. The aria scene always gets me. I thought it would be interesting if you talked how, in the movie of Cat on the Hot Tin Roof with Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, they skip over Brick ' s love of his friend Skipper. It's an important part of the play, which explains why Brick drinks or avoids his wife Maggie.

[@joshuamoore4537]

I was 11 years old when I first saw Philadelphia; the scene where he was describing the Aria made me tear up because I understood at that moment why he was fighting so hard for his rights & what Justice meant to him. Truly a wonderful film.

[@zuglymonster]

My uncle died of AIDS in the early 90s. My mom was never, ever able to watch it as her beloved brother was dying at the same time or had just died (he died in 93 I believe Early 93 or late 92) I still love the song from the movie. Although I know it's about a gay man dying, sad and alone. I've related to it many times with the feeling of being alone, depressed, no support from friends, becoming someone you don't know because I struggle with addiction and although I'm doing MUCH better now. I'm recently relapsed on Xanax dealing with my boyfriends death. But I feel like that was a really awful thing to compare my feelings to those like my beloved uncle who died such a sad death with more than half the family either flat out not speaking to him or behind closed doors saying shit like 'well it's tragic, but it's his fault' which mirrors thier view on my struggles "sad but she can just get over it and addiction is a choice she made" 🙄🙄

[@pulg28]

Four moons, a mexican film about the struggle of 4 different gay men in 4 different stages of their lives, has won awards and the soundtrack is beautiful

[@tokkibeseu]

Love this movie. Lypsinka was supposed to be in the party scene but got cut. She's in the novelization of the movie though. Lypsinka is from small town Mississippi, like me! Thanks Matt for providing great content.

[@dovegrey1]

Oh this movie....the chills when Maria Callas hits that note along with the look of, I'll say triumph on Tom Hanks' face. Astounding. There's a line in the film I often say, and it's from Denzel Washington, "Explain it to me like I'm a three year old" (or is it six?) Anyway, it just nails it when someone with no clue is trying to get me to their way of thinking. Sure, break it down like I'm stupid....I'm sure I still won't agree with you. Maybe that's not the intention of the line, but it's stopped a couple of arguments.

[@danielelias7867]

+Matt Baume I highly highly recommend Holding The Man. It's by far one of the best movies about HIV/AIDS I've seen. The characters are so 3 dimensional and the emotions they experience are so raw and I just love it.

[@danstruchen8120]

Still remember going to th theater to see it. Also remember just how powerful this movie was.

[@juanessmendez]

I just can't stop watching your videos!

[@Jessicab-u7c]

To this day no matter how many times I’ve watched this I can’t watch it without crying. Two other movies you may want to review are Milk, and the normal heart both are imo brilliant, Heartbreaking but brilliant.

[@earthworm4255]

Thanks Matt. Your "voice" is one of the most enjoyable. Keep going.

[@hshoustontx]

Thank you for this.

[@Boobalopbop]

This is when Tom Hanks became known as a great actor.

[@JohnSmith-to5ow]

I'm not gay, but I loved this movie. It's so powerful, and deeply affecting, on so many levels. For me, the opera scene was a bit over the top. I think the heart of the movie, really, is the convenience store scene. Tom and Denzel are both there, but Tom doesn't see denzel. Then some ignorant crude white "bros" come in, and harrass tom for being gay. Denzel watches, and as the audience member, you can see that something about this makes his blood boil. Such a subtle scene, but for me, speaks volumes.

[@Boobalopbop]

This was the first time I ever saw a gay couple that looked sweet, normal and just like any other couple. Before that, even if we saw gay people on TV they were mostly stereotypes and were always single, cuz God forbid we actually see a man actually loving another man and not just flirting or making a joke about one. This movie opened so many eyes.

[@wailer27]

yes you are

[@Romiedahomie415]

I’m not gay either and this movie still moved me I cried at the end

[@bawoman]

Um , not to be a bitch, but there is nothing, nada, zilch special about being moved by this film despite not being gay. You're a human being. You have empathy, so you understandibly found this movie touching and liked it, like most people straight or gay did. Clarifying your sexual orientation brings nothing to the discussion.

[@20wolverines2013]

This was an amazing commentary of the movie, helped me learn everything I need to know about the film. Keep it up

[@JudgeDoom88]

Beautiful film! Thanks for the episode! I cry every time I see it too! Have to try and make my partner watch it with me.

[@sparkers70]

Oh! Another movie that brought me to tears -- but more often, laughter -- was Torch Song Trilogy. Lots of material there about which to make a video! Even today, it remains to be my favorite of all time. (Followed closely by Parting Glances.)

[@martijnspruit]

Torch Song is excellent!

[@sparkers70]

@@martijnspruit yes! And on top of superb acting by the entire cast (Bancroft was such a treasure!), I think Torch Song wasn't appreciated enough for just how many issues it tackled: homophobia, ageism, family rejection/acceptance, bisexuality, open relationships, gay adoption, youth bullying, gay bashing, grieving loved ones and moving on ("Honey, Alan died, you didn't").. and so much more! Torch Song Trilogy was a masterpiece.

[@martijnspruit]

@@sparkers70 Yes, not only the gay relation, but also the acceptance from his mother (and the struggle). And the movie is funny!

[@sfkeepay]

Torch Song Trilogy...the first gay-themed movie I ever watched in a theater. Such a rich, wild, hilarious, deeply sad, maddening, and ultimately uplifting film.

[@calebleland8390]

I feel bad that I still have never seen this movie. When it first came out, I knew it would be too hard to watch. A gay friend of mine had just died of complications from AIDS, and it was too raw. Since then, I just haven't had the opportunity to sit and watch it, but seeing your video makes me realize that I really need to. I just hope my wife will sit and watch with me, because I'm going to be crying like a baby.

[@MaestroFriedrich]

Demme is an amazing director. Great video. I choked up watching the clips. As Foxxy Love would say DENZELLLL!!!!

[@joelmaqueira4851]

R.I.P Johnathan Demme.

[@michaelpaternostro7]

You are loved Matt Baume. I live for your videos. You're awesome.

[@henrikechers9995]

Saw this at the cinema. Loved it - cried uncontrollably at the Maria Callas segment

[@maymarsh7903]

Have you seen "Holding the man" best book I ever read and the film is just so good

[@jennifergreen8649]

Tom tanks is the best actor ever. Philadelphia was an incredible and fantastic movie and story. I cry every time I see this movie. This is one of the early ones that started me fighting for those with HIV and AIDS.

[@robrush47]

This is great and heart warming...tears.

[@MyFlipperLikesIce]

I didn't realize I was also 13 when this came out but I remember really wanting to see it. So me and my dad went and saw it in the theater.

[@javis88h]

We watched this movie in High school. It was great. Not only was it a discussion on HIV, being gay, discrimination it's also about unlawful termination. And other lessons I'm sure, but it's been awhile since I saw it.

[@inapickle806]

I haven't seen it since it came out in '86, but Parting Glances was wonderful and moving in my memory.

[@GuppyCzar]

This movie hit me so hard, I had just lost two dear friends to AIDS and was suffering along with their families.

[@trackhandicapper739]

You're brilliant Matt!

[@sumthingwikked4257]

It says a lot about a film that glues you to your seat without action, gore, nudity, and crude jokes. Just a powerful story of justice and acceptance. You want to see it go well and yet, you know it's not 100% going to go well. At least a win matters to the lead.

[@TheHestya]

Oh, cried just watching this.

[@neillawson2578]

Thanks Matt, love this film. If you haven't seen 'Big Eden', it is also worth a watch. The fairy tale of what life would be like without homophobia in a Montana town - love this film.

[@kirok2011]

Love this review !!!!

[@InimicalWit]

I loved this movie. Seeing Washington’s character transform from someone who crosses the room to stand apart from a man he learns is gay and has HIV, to sitting on the same man’s bed and tenderly helping him put his mask back on his face; and you can see in Hanks’ character’s eyes that this transformation is not lost on him in that moment. My face is wet.

[@mladams3708]

Personally I always liked the movie "V for Vendetta". I'd be interested to hear what you think of that movie. It touched me very deeply when they showed the story of the Lesbian woman and her partner who were torn apart.

[@FMFFilms]

Great observation!

[@winkydobby4x4]

If you have time and want to, you could talk about “A normal heart” I saw both the movie and the play and it broke my heart but made me the person I am today. Thank you for your videos

[@iujock1974]

Great job Matt! Keep it up!

[@josabby474]

I was 15 and my brother was 17 when this movie came out. My dad took us to see it. He told a coworker how good he thought it was and the the coworker was like “why would you take your kids to see a movie about f**s.” My dad told him he was an idiot.

[@sampeacaml9307]

I recommend Crazy Moon, with Kiefer Sutherland, not quite a gay movie, but I love how Kiefer's character goes out of his way to learn sign language in order to woo his deaf girlfriend. It's on KZbin.

[@jere2592]

I remember seeing this in the theatre in 93. The opera scene and the court scene when hanks character took off shirt to expose his lesions absolute destroyed me

[@GlennDavey]

Philadelphia is a perfect movie.

[@montywolfe8900]

I need more videos on television and film!

[@MattBaume]

Aww thanks! Any requests?

[@montywolfe8900]

Gosh... I'm trying to think about films or moments that I found particularly inspiring or interesting... Seeing Victor/Victoria on TV when I was a kid was a big deal. I'll never forget, not long after cable television came to the sticks where I lived, I was up late one night and My Own Private Idaho was on. That blew my mind! Cyndi Lauper's Boy Blue song - which was promoted as being about a friend who died from AIDs. Madonna's relationship with Keith Haring and others... Hell, Truth or Dare! But before all that, wow, those moments on Golden Girls and Designing Women were just HUGE for me. Movies like Rebel without a Cause, books like A Separate Peace... oh! Dead Poets Society. The kid who kills himself - I just assumed he was gay. Oh... an interesting thing to look into would be how we (homosexual males) used other characters to identify with - other than the main guy. I know with lots of films, I identified with the female love interest (Willie in Temple of Doom) or a plucky side character (Sarah Jessica Parker in Footloose). With Disney films, I always related to the animal sidekick. In best friend movies - about two male best friends coming of age - I always got an icky weird feeling in my stomach, because what my heart wanted was for them to kiss and love each other... but they always end up going separate ways. Confession - I totally related to Martha Plimpton in Goonies... and I am ashamed to say, I thought Corey Feldman was so cute.

[@tomservo5007]

As an early teen, this movie changed my attitude. If this movie came out in my adult life, I'm not so sure it would have the same effect on me.

[@charliedead5015]

Matt! I love that shirt! 👍

[@MattBaume]

Thanks! It's from Design by Humans. www.designbyhumans.com/shop/all-over-mens-t-shirt/blackbirds-attackin-in-the-dead-o-night-graph/3870/

[@everydaymarvin2490]

Now I HAVE TO SEE THIS MOVIE!!! Thanks for sharing this with all of us! I have heard about this movie in the past but never got around to seeing it. I like how you broke it down in just minutes and the overall purpose of it all. Another good vid my friend! 😊 😀 😁 #gaypride #tomhanks #philadelphia

[@erynnelken]

Could you review the movie "Pride"?

[@Trund27]

Yes.

[@scottwalker8869]

The movie was powerful in the unity of justice and seeing people as individuals even those who have aspects of their lives we may disagree with.

[@somni6756]

And that beautiful, heartbreaking Bruce Springsteen song the fact that a straight guy wrote that shows the power of human empathy

[@mammamiia08]

Great movie! I also love the opera scene, it gave me goosebumps the first time I watched it. On another movies - have you made something about Brokeback Mountain? I just think it changed a lot in Hollywood and would love to hear what you think about it!

[@blkrhino7961]

This was the only movie I saw three times in the theater.

[@simplicitylost]

Okay, but where did you buy that shirt? 🤣 I love it; it looks so awesome!

[@rossbenderjr2798]

I cried my eyes out after the movie I was so upset

[@MattBaume]

Yeah that one really puts you through the ringer!

[@torreyinwi]

Matt, this was an outstanding review! This movie was so poignant in that age. For anyone that lived in that time period, it was a horrendous time to be gay because of the stereotypes of gays. Add to that stereotype that gays had a "gay cancer" and it was all the worse. I'd like you to review "Love! Valor! Compassion!" It's the consumate story of love, platonic and romantic, betrayals and strength.

[@TheMightyPika]

You want recommendations?? Sure!Infamous (the one with Toby Jones)Eastern Promises the graphic novel Stuck Rubber Baby These don't focus 100% on gay themes but have some very important aspects to them. Eastern Promises in particular is a great look at straight and gay interaction in a mafia setting.

[@judethaddeus9856]

Can cover the movie Doing Time on Maple Drive? That movie is really special to me

[@hannahwebster5606]

You should do a video on the book and film Holding the Man

[@randysalber4960]

Six years later, and no closer to just accepting!

[@youbetcha6880]

I was 18 years old when I went to see this flick. I took the bus all the way from suburban Toronto to inner-suburban Toronto to see this flick. I was still in high school and made the decision to see this flick during March Break of grade 12 because I thought the movie was a morally just cause. Even so, I was kind of embarrassed--this was the '90s--and going to see a "gay" movie then was suspect. Wow, how have times changed.

[@wendymccoy1093]

Linda Ellerby is a name I haven't heard in a loooong time

[@jdkleinsorge]

I will definitely rewatch this since I haven't seen it since it originally came out in the 90s. Thanks for the review...I'll know to have some kleenex handy when I watch it ;-)

[@RootMenu]

Jesus Fecking Christ. That Grindr notification was kinda triggering for me. Hahahaha. :)

[@GlennDavey]

Same. I think it moved a little................

[@markdaugherty8196]

Please, please, please, do a segment on the movie, "As Is".

[@MattBaume]

+Mark Daugherty Oh I'm not familiar with that one! What do you recommend about it?

[@pablogomez4202]

Thanks Matt! What about the normal heart? did you like it? i don´t know if you `ve already comment on it. I like it very much.

[@MattBaume]

I haven't seen it yet! But it's on my list to talk about.

[@benjaminjones2185]

I think you should look into story behind the monsters and mazes movie.

[@jaimep4888]

Do a video on Suddenly Last Summer

[@yordalyn]

Matt, could you please do a review of 120 bpm. Thank you.

[@samburnham2758]

So to summarize: it ain’t always sunny

[@TwoWholeWorms]

"I was 13 when Philadelphia came out." Liza Minnelli! LIES!

[@biguyjw]

have you ever seen a movie called "how to survive a plague"? it is a documentary about the aids epidemic in the world.

[@sparkers70]

+biguyjw If you haven't seen it already, "We Were Here" is an excellent documentary.. one of the very best I've seen.

[@mandemore.1013]

Could you review The Normal Heart

[@crippledncrazy]

My favourite movie, as both a gay man and a person with a disability, is Any Day Now ... which takes on homophobia and ableism at the same time. I'd love to hear your perspective.

[@wilfredohernandez154]

Notice that in the begining he didn't want to touch him, in the end put his mask on.

[@mongomongo7664]

You forgot about Dragnet as well

[@davedvlaries7764]

I've already seen a going blind then dying Bette Davis in _Dark Victory_ , and that's a lot easier to take than another noble death movie that also lards on the begging of tolerance from straighty. _Philadelphia_ was 'an obligation movie,' much like _Schindler's List_ , one of those items you went to so you could proudly say you did, a near-civic duty, much like sporting an "I voted" button, but nobody returns to them time and again for any _entertainment_ . It doesn't help either that I think Hanks, while talented, is one of the most overestimated actors of his generation. Make mine _Brokeback Mountain_ , a troubled yes, but impassioned love story, not accidentally set in a time before AIDS, and not needing to canonize its protagonist(s).

[@mastermarkus5307]

+Dave dvlaries While I don't agree on you calling people "straighty" because it's fucking weird, I agree on what you say about _Philadelphia_. I thought _Philadelphia_ was very dull. It's just the message of "gay people are people too" that is important.

[@danielvortisto6324]

Have you watched "The Way He Looks"?

[@RobbnCO]

actually Longtime Companion was the first "mainstream" movie to talk about AIDS ....

[@sparkers70]

+Robb Silverberg Even though it was made for TV, I think technically "An Early Frost" might have been the first to talk about AIDS.

[@barbraseville8984]

Mainstream= a big studio spends a lot of money to produce, cast, and promote a movie. A mainstream movie also plays in every Cineplex. I remember having to go to an "art house" theatre to see Longtime Companion, where Philadelphia was EVERYWHERE. Philadelphia featured two men who'd won Oscars, plus featured a song by HETEROSEXUAL HERO Bruce Springsteen. Longtime Companion..as important as it is.... was not mainstream in any regard.

[@MegCazalet]

I also think Pedro Zamora on the Real World: San Francisco has something to do with brining HIV+ people into the consciousness of the youth, at least.

[@kylenoe2234]

I recall being 10yo and livid that California voted gay marriage illegal...

[@writerspen010]

This may be a weird question, but I'm not familiar with many movies that address LGBTQIA issues, but I was wondering if you know why opera seems to be a common music genre choice for movies about these issues?

[@JBabyLeather]

So many! Love! Valor! Compassion!, Edge of Seventeen, Not Another Gay Movie

[@dayphantasm]

triply sad story. Tristar studio created this film without the Geoffrey Bowers family's consent. Tristar tried to cover up their plagiarism, but later had to settle with the family.

[@martykeaton182]

Another one to remember when it comes to A.I.D.S. is Ryan White.

[@martykeaton182]

Even shows that depicted it like Doogie Howser and 21 Jump Street like so kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5KammBpi56VbaM.

[@martykeaton182]

Anyone?

[@edwinfrench1199]

From the writers perspective, they had a good premise but had difficulty getting it set up