(Watching Denzel Washington's character explain homophobia to his on-screen wife is a particular jaw-dropper.)īut, these caveats aside, 'Philadelphia ' was the film that got people to sit up in their chairs, and that alone makes it worth seeing. Fletcher’s 2019 blockbuster Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody was hit-and-miss with some fans and critics, who craved a more accurate portrayal of the frontman’s relationship to 80s subculture and HIV/AIDS. Yes, it played out more like a Frank Capra movie than an insightful social drama.Īnd yes, a few scenes are still pretty cringe-worthy. Best of 2019 crime movies Knives Out Martin Scorsese Olivia Rutigliano Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Parasite Queen & Slim Quentin Tarantino Ready or Not The Irishman Uncut Gems. Yes, the film is unerringly safe and manipulative in the way that only Hollywood 'issue films' can be.
Nearly 20 years before that, though, she. Whether you like it or loathe it (yes, there are people who do), it is undoubtedly the film that changed the social landscape at a time when the anger vented at the Reagan/Bush administrations was nearing boiling point.Īnchored by an affecting performance by Tom Hanks, the film's impact in 1993 was undeniable, logging over $200 million in box office receipts and winning two Academy Awards. Saving Face (2004) These days, director Alice Wu is probably best known for her sweet Netflix coming-of-age film, The Half of It. 'Philadelphia ' is the film included on almost every top 10 list about HIV and for good reason.
