Philadelphia 1993

Tom Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, a highly respected senior associate at Philadelphia’s premier corporate law firm. Despite sharing his life with partner Miguel Álvarez (Antonio Banderas), Beckett remains discreet about his homosexuality and his AIDS diagnosis to his colleagues. His professional reputation is built on his exceptional skills, but this carefully crafted facade begins to crumble when a lesion on his forehead becomes visible to the firm’s partners. As Beckett struggles to conceal his illness, he finds himself increasingly isolated from his peers.

When Beckett is assigned the firm’s most significant case, he pours all his energy into completing the complaint, even as his health begins to decline. A mysterious absence from work followed by a frantic phone call to the ER only adds to the mystery surrounding the missing document. Meanwhile, Beckett’s relationships with his colleagues begin to fray, and his once-untouchable reputation starts to unravel.

The drama reaches its climax when the firm’s partners discover that Beckett has been dismissed due to the misplaced complaint, a decision that raises serious questions about their own professionalism. As the dust settles, it becomes clear that Beckett’s hidden struggles have far-reaching consequences for those around him, forcing everyone involved to confront the harsh realities of prejudice and discrimination.

As Beckett’s suspicions deepen that someone is deliberately trying to oust him from the firm due to his AIDS diagnosis, he embarks on a quest for justice. He reaches out to several attorneys, including the seasoned personal injury lawyer Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), who had previously worked with him on a case. Despite being initially hesitant and admitting to harboring homophobic biases, Miller is ultimately compelled to take Beckett’s case after his own doctor briefs him on the methods of HIV infection following a visit to clarify the risks of contracting the disease from shaking hands with Beckett. However, it becomes apparent that Miller is not entirely forthcoming about his motivations, as he dismisses the suggestion that he take a blood sample to test for AIDS and instead appears to be using the encounter as a means of self-diagnosis.

As Beckett’s search for legal representation yields few results, he finds himself forced to take matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Joe Miller is seen researching a case at a law library, where he inadvertently crosses paths with Beckett. The tension in the air becomes palpable when others begin to stare and then distance themselves from Beckett, following the librarian’s suggestion that he retire to a private room. Undeterred by the hostility, Miller approaches Beckett and begins reviewing the material he has gathered, his expression betraying a newfound determination to take on Beckett’s case.

The stakes are raised as Charles Wheeler (Jason Robards), the head of the firm, receives a summons from Miller, prompting him to worry about the potential damage the lawsuit could inflict on his business and reputation. Despite the efforts of one partner (Ron Vawter) to persuade him to settle out of court with Beckett, it becomes clear that this is not a battle to be won without a fight.

As the trial unfolds, Wheeler takes center stage, painting a picture of incompetence and intentional concealment by Beckett. The defense, however, suggests that Beckett’s reckless promiscuity was the root cause of his illness, rendering him an unwilling participant in his own victimization. Through the course of testimony, it becomes clear that the partner who initially detected Beckett’s lesions had previously worked with a woman who contracted AIDS from a tainted blood transfusion. This revelation sparked a chain reaction of insight, as it became evident that the lesions would have been unmistakable to anyone familiar with the telltale signs of the disease.

As cross-examination commences, Beckett concedes that he initially intended to confide in his law colleagues about his sexuality, but abandoned this plan after overhearing their bigoted remarks in a health club sauna. When pressed for the truth behind his infection, Beckett reveals that he had engaged in anonymous sexual encounters with another man at an adult film theater. Meanwhile, Miller skillfully navigates the defense’s attempts to discredit Beckett, capitalizing on a crucial turning point when the partner who initially advised settling out of court confesses to having long suspected Beckett was afflicted with AIDS but chose to remain silent. This admission serves as a poignant reminder of the regrettable consequences that can arise from inaction.

As Wheeler continues his testimony, Beckett’s health begins to falter, and he collapses dramatically. During his hospitalization, the jury delivers a verdict in his favor, awarding him substantial compensation for back pay, pain and suffering, and punitive damages totaling nearly $4.5 million. Miller pays a visit to Beckett in the hospital following the verdict, overcoming his initial trepidation to gently touch Beckett’s face.

In the aftermath of Beckett’s passing, which occurs shortly after the verdict, Miller is left reeling from the news. A somber reception at Beckett’s home follows the funeral, where mourners, including the Millers, view heartwarming home movies showcasing Beckett as a vibrant, healthy child. The stark contrast between his youthful vitality and the struggles he faced in his later years serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility and unpredictability of life.