"I have AIDS."
Andrew Beckett
Philadelphia
1993
"We're standing here in Philadelphia, the, uh, city of brotherly love, the birthplace of freedom, where the, uh, founding fathers authored the Declaration of Independence, and I don't recall that glorious document saying anything about all straight men are created equal. I believe it says all men are created equal." - Joe Miller
This story was captivating and astonishing. This story was compelling and intriguing. The acting of Tom Hanks was his best, the character of Andrew Beckett was embraced by audiences and critically defined as realistic interpretation of perception.
When a story as true and honest as Philadelphia becomes a part of a person's soul; the story of abandonment, and isolation become the reality in appearances, and the reality in any given sub-culture. When Hanks' character; a lawyer, Andrew Beckett is "infected" with AIDS, his highly conservative law firm dismisses him as a counsel, and a homophobic lawyer represents him in the lawsuit brought upon to sue the law firm for his release.
The film brings up a few interesting points.
The first: was the preconceived notion of AIDS back in 1993 larger than that actuality of knowing what AIDS actually is?
The second: is the misunderstanding of a person's ability to portray professionalism somewhat misconstrued by the perception of ones ability to perform beyond sickness?
I ask these questions in an attempt to engage in thoughts that perhaps identify that ignorance is blinding and perception give people more power. It makes one safely assume that beyond reasonable doubt people are cruel when mis-informed, and people are neglected by mis-understanding.
Hanks' progression throughout this film as Andrew Beckett's character allowed audiences to capture the essence of a man and the choices of another. It is of most substantial evidence that people can and will change when they are educated. It is of most substantial evidence that people are versatile and able to be enlightened when given circumstances to doubt.
I strongly believe that people can adapt to change by first becoming uncomfortable with what is comfortable to them, and step outside their perception by actually asking instead of assuming.
That assumption can cost you friendships, relationships and comfort when you are faced with identifying exactly what it was that gave you that false sense of someones actual reality.
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Comments
Rated.
scanner.. I was most definitely wanting that point to be put across and you picked up on it perfectly. Image, perception and "what we are told" is sometimes more powerful than the actuality. That FEAR you are talking about is why it is so profound to see films like this made.. it kind of puts things in persepective and gives audiences that were one biased an "aha" moment. Thanks ScanMan!!!
Kit.. yes, the loss of Wilson was definitely the catch 22 most people find themselves tangled up in. Do you fight for survival within your own skin or do you stay loyal. Its a tough one! Great comment. Thanks
diary of a food addict!!! Hell ya! thanks for stopping by.