Rating of
3/4
I’ve forgotten how fantastic this film is!
MovieAddict - wrote on 03/24/12
1993 and a deadly virus called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (aka AIDS) was emerging as the most fearful disease on the planet. It had surfaced in the mid 80's but the early 90's saw its establishment as a terrifying and ultimately fatal disease. In this movie, Tom Hanks portrays Andrew Beckett, a successful lawyer at a major law firm on his way to being partner. When he contracts AIDS he hides his illness and continues work. When an important document goes missing and an important client only narrowly avoids ruin, the partners fire Beckett. He however, suspects that his bosses find out that their "golden boy was gay and had AIDS." Beckett then seeks representation from injures lawyer Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), who is homophobic and at first rejects him but then he decides that it’s the right thing to do.
Mary Steensburgen as the opposing lawyer gives a great villainous performance, Antonio Banderas is Tom Hanks's gay partner and Tom Hanks does a great portrayal of a Gay man struggling against bigotry, the effects of AIDS, and the fears of AIDS. He plays this character so well you genuinely care about him. Not only is it a great movie but it also carries a very important message about the danger and ignorance surrounding AIDS.
