Philadelphia Forum

Philadelphia

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Idenitfying yourself with the mother of Andy Becett, reflect on the course of your son's life, and what/ who is the ultimate cause of his (premature) death. You may want to look at your role as parent which may/ may not have affected how his life has turned out. In order to give sensitivity and emotional depth and insight into your essay, you may consider the support of your husband and other children for stength to survive the trying times. (Tuesday, 12 Nov 2002 07:13)

Taking a sociology course and working on several essay papers for a mid-term. I watched the movie Philadelphia with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington last night and I didn't realize how powerful this was from a sociology standpoint. What a lack of knowledge can do. What hatred and indifference can do. How much the movie showed us what you have to do to make a difference. Unfortunately so many people can get hurt and suffer while the ignorant finally wake up. I must admit my ignorance to so much, but this type of film woke me up and the class I'm taking helps me understand more the needs of others and what society needs to do to help. I notice the budget cuts with our DHS programs in the state of Iowa and it now sickens me, when before, I just read the paper and set it out to recycle. I hope in my way and my voice, I can do something to help others. I may get hurt along the way, but I believe we all need to open our eyes. What a wonderful film this was.

>>By Kim (Sunday, 29 Dec 2002 23:44)

Philadelphia
The movie, Philadelphia, was an excellent example of the severe discrimination many people with Aids are exposed to. In this instance the main character, Andy, was also gay. Unfortunately, in our society, he was faced with a double whammy. The gay issue is controversial enough, but to compound that in the work force with having Aids would be almost unbearable for any person to cope with. Tom Hanks played Andy with a serious need to communicate to the viewers how everyday life, work, emotions and mental well being are affected by this kind of situation. The movie was well cast and thoughtfully portrayed Andy's serious predicament. The theme was very interesting. It made me realize how lucky I am to not have to deal with those kinds of problems.
It's really very frightening to realize, as Andy did, that even our legal system can be discriminating. When he started looking for a lawyer, he found many people who did not want to represent him because of his illness. The frustration he felt must have been a real burden. Most people were afraid of him. Even the man who finally represented him was afraid of him. He soon came to understand Andy was no threat to his health or his reputation, but someone he learned from and ended up becoming friends with.
Andy himself feared his disease even before he was sure he had it. He did not want to go for his blood test. He didn't want to face the reality of having Aids. He really didn't have any choice. After the doctor confirmed his fears and diagnosed him as having Aids, Andy began to deal with the news and the way it was changing his life and how people treated him. His employer was trying to shaft him. He fought for his rights, not knowing what the outcome would be, but knowing this was something he felt he must do.
The turning point in the movie for Andy was when he was in the library trying to learn more about Aids. He was asked by the librarian to go to a private room. His lawyer was there and saw this happening, although he was hiding behind a pile of books. I guess this is when he realized Andy needed him to help protect his rights.
It killed me to think just because someone has an illness people don't understand that they can let their ignorance make them behave in a way they normally wouldn't. To tell you the truth I can't honestly say I would have acted any different then the librarian did! The lawyer took the book Andy was holding out of his hand to show the librarian he was not afraid getting the disease by touching something Andy had touched. Andy must have felt one hell of a big relief when that happened! He finally had someone on his side.
I hated the firm Andy worked for. At first they seemed okay, but after they tried shafting Andy, I was really pissed. He worked for them, produced for them, was an asset to their business and then they just blew him off. The blowing him off part wasn't as bad as how they tried to do it. They tried to make him look like a loser. They cut down his work, his character, his abilities as an employee. What gives them the right to try and destroy someone's life ?? Especially someone whose life is being detroyed anyway by the disease he has. The illness didn't affect the way he did his job or how well he did it. They were just a bunch of ignorant morons who didn't care about anything other than how having someone with Aids working for them would make them and their business look..... and in their opinions it could ruin them. So, just fire the guy to cover their own asses. What a bunch of shit! Especially coming from the very institution that was supposed to help protect peoples' rights, lawyers! The whole system must have really gotten to Andy. Especially because he was a part of that very same system. I agreed with the verdict of the trial hands down. It really made me happy to see Andy get true justice. I also loved to see his so called "associates" eat crow pie! I have to admit I was a little nervous during the trial.
I wondered if the jury felt as strongly as I did about Andy's situation. Justice prevailed, but I know this was only a movie. I have to ask myself how many people in the real world suffer from this kind of discrimination and don't get the help Andy had. It's a terrible thought... really a terrible reality because it probably happens every day. The most important thing I learned from this movie is not to be too quick to pass judgment against people who, for whatever reason, are different than you are. It could be their health, financial status, color of their skin, the way they talk, their heritage or the culture they grew up in. None of these things should matter.
People are people. They all deserve the same consideration, compassion and right to live their lives in a way that's comfortable to them. No one should be so quick to "judge a book by it's cover!"

>>By Sjors (Monday, 17 Feb 2003 18:53)

What most strikes me is the issue of "social death." Perhaps we need a boredom view of this. This is what happens to a lot of disabled or handicapped people. They are able to work but denied the right to do so. And once you are disabled, espeically physically disabled, you can't get out much without friends. You begin to loose friends and family because they see you as a burden. People don't want to associate with you because they want to do things that require legs and arms and physical stamina. People think that giving Social security, Medicaid and housing subsidies are what we need. What we need are friends and normalcy in our lives. That is the point. I really believe that most people die of AIDS due to this fact and the related stress and hopelessness. It's the psychological abuse that causes us to give up. I'm physically disabled women, and doctors don't even want to physically touch you when you go into see them. It's just social attitude and ignorance. I call this the associated cost of discrimination.

J~

>>By Redmond Rose (Wednesday, 19 Feb 2003 00:39)

I watched philadelphia last night and was very much moved by the operatic aria that the Tom Hanks character put on for his lawyer. I would like to know the name of the opera and the composer.

>>By angela (Monday, 10 Mar 2003 18:48)

Im not sure of opera or composer, but i know that the aria was sung by Maria Callas

>>By Bex (Wednesday, 19 Mar 2003 22:31)

Does anyone know iof this was based on a true story?

>>By tanyard (Tuesday, 1 Apr 2003 06:20)

To Angela:

The Opera: Andrea Chénier
The composer: Umberto Giordano (1867-1948)

>>By Luis (Tuesday, 15 Apr 2003 16:08)

if the homosapeans were infact, homosapians. Is that why they're Extinct?

>>By Mike Rotch (Saturday, 26 Apr 2003 20:33)

In class we are analyising 'Justice' as an area of study, and this week I have to discuss 'The Crucible' along with Philadelphia which is a text of my choice. I have to talk about either 1)how my background knowledge of the film enhanced my understanding of it
2)Discuss how myconcept of justice was challenged by Philadelphia or
3)Discuss how the medium of production (eg, film, play, etc ) forms, structure, and features of language positioned me to think and feel differently about justice.

Does anyone have any ideas, if i was asked one of these quesitons? i have a fair idea but i'm interested in what you had to say!
thanks alot, kath

>>By kathryn (Sunday, 18 May 2003 08:35)

Hi kathryn I am also doing Philadelphia at school so mabey i can help you out with those questions.
Well with question 2 I guess you can say that you would have expected justice to be completly none byast but in the movie we realise that lawyers do not want to represent Andy Beckett as he is a homasexual and has aids. So if you just work around that point I am sure you can find the answer.

>>By Max (Monday, 16 Jun 2003 18:02)

We should learn more about AIDS and more about the homosexuals, it's not their fault to be homosexuals indeed, because when they are born, they are decided to be homosexuals. Though AIDS is a dreadful incurable disease, it is not so dangerouse unless you risk your life.

>>By lesley (Wednesday, 18 Jun 2003 10:07)

What was the name of the music played at the end of the film at the wake and who sang it ????

>>By OZ (Thursday, 19 Jun 2003 04:57)

The song at the end is "Philadelphia" by Neil Young - and the movie is loosely based on a true story about Geoffrey Flowers'.

>>By katie (Thursday, 10 Jul 2003 21:53)

I'm 14 and I saw this movie a couple days ago.I was touched and moved,but also not surprised by the discrimination of Aids and Homosexuality.It is a serious problem,and Andy Beckett learned that the hard way.I this this is a great movie that portrays reality very well.

>>By geoff (Monday, 14 Jul 2003 17:00)

Although 'Philadelphia' contains many issues of homophobia and discrimination upheld by today's society, it is evident that attitudes about these issues are costantly changing with the ever changing values of society. Hopefully in the future the film can be looked back upon as a horrific example of the petty attitudes people had about these issues as society's values take a turn for the better.

>>By ruth (Tuesday, 22 Jul 2003 14:11)

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