isn't when he died or anything.
It was when Tom Hanks comes in to Denzel's office and Denel follows his hands and everything he touches.
It just shows the judgement that people couldn't handle when AIDS became a known disease.
I agree, that was a very powerful scene. But my favorite is the opera scene. It was perfect in every aspect.
shareI didn't understand the opera scene. I think it was supposed to be about a tragedy of 2 lovers but I'm not sure. I am not an opera person so please forgive me. I'm sure that it had lots of meaning or it would have been deleted. I finally saw the film yesterday and can't get it out of my mind. I still never saw "Citizen Kane" either. As far as powerful scenes, there were so many but the scene where Denzel is afraid to touch Hanks is up high on the list. At that time, people thought AIDS was transmitted by shaking hands. I always thought that this film got a nomination for best film but I think not.
shareThe opera scene is one of the most powerful in the history of movies.
shareThis opera scene alone is what earned a First Academy Award to Tom Hanks ..
and he has never looked back .. !!
I personally think that the MOST powerful scene was when Tom Hanks's character sings along to the aria whilst Denzel's character looks on. The emotion that Tom puts into that scene is just undeniably powerful. This scene is when Denzel truly realises that, gay or straight, AIDS or not, this man he is working to protect, is JUST as human as he, his wife, his daughter, and every other person on the planet is. It is because of this realisation that he goes straight home after that and holds his wife and daughter. It is an epiphany for him. His entire outlook on life changes within 5 minutes and he finally understands where he has been wrong up until that point. This is when he REALLY puts his heart into winning his client's case.
shareThis scene is when Denzel truly realises that, gay or straight, AIDS or not, this man he is working to protect, is JUST as human as he, his wife, his daughter, and every other person on the planet is. It is because of this realisation that he goes straight home after that and holds his wife and daughter. It is an epiphany for him. His entire outlook on life changes within 5 minutes and he finally understands where he has been wrong up until that point. This is when he REALLY puts his heart into winning his client's case.
ABSOLUTELY. Great summary of the scene- I took away the very same feeling from it.
Baba mi Ogun modupe
President Barack Obama
Denzel's character really starts to "get it" though when, at the party, he sees Miguel and Andy dancing together while he is dancing with his own wife. He realizes at that point that true love can take many forms.
shareThe most powerful bit for me was when he came out of Denzel's office after he refused to take the case "for personal reasons," and he just stood there with people rushing by looking so hopeless and trying not cry.
shareYes I agree. It was as if he was all alone in the world. Powerful scene indeed.
shareAnd the scene in the library when Denzel comes over when Hanks is getting quietly hassled by the librarian and Hanks says Hello Counsellor and Denzel just looks at the librarian like bring it on. Hanks realises he may not be alone with this.
O that blue, blue shirt of yours
And the scene in the library when Denzel comes over when Hanks is getting quietly hassled by the librarian and Hanks says Hello Counsellor and Denzel just looks at the librarian like bring it on. Hanks realises he may not be alone with this.
I totally agree with eltie88. It has been years since I last saw Philadelphia but I still remember the scene, especially the look in Tom Hanks' eyes as he gets out of the lawyer's office (Denzel).
I usually consider that Tom Hanks is not a very good actor (he's been in very good - or, more precisely, entertaining - movies, though). Then again, there's Philadelphia... so I have my doubts.
I agree. I felt for him the most at the scene after he left Denzel's building.
shareTotally agree i just wonder why they never went on to collaborate more because it was clearly succesful. But my other favourite scene is when Denzel gives a speech in he courtroom the one about breaking the law. Quality.
THA CARTER III- Ya Digggggggggg!!!!!!
I like the one where Andy's mother is talking at his house and says "I didn't raise my children to sit on the back of the bus."
shareI just saw this movie in summer school, those were all powerful scenes, the part which broke me down was after the woman had demonstrated with the mirror how visible his lesions were Joe asked him to show his chest, the pain is his eyes mixed with the reactions (note: male lawyers covering their faces) just tugged and pulled at my heart. Loved this movie, it was a pleasure to watch. <3 Take Care!
It's like grass seed on steroids!
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That GREAT movie was Perfect! The family, the trial, all the actors! And that give to Tom Hanks his FIRST OSCAR! Proof than Hollywood could make GREAT MOVIES!!! And could give chance to GREAT ACTOR to have a role than nobody thought they could do before!!!
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Yes. Because that was the moment Denzel went through a soul-conversion. He finally stopped seeing a man with AIDS, or even a gay man, and simply saw a man, who loved life.
shareI like the one where Andy's mother is talking at his house and says "I didn't raise my children to sit on the back of the bus."
I've always loved that part, too and also the subtle touch Demme used by showing Andy's mom on the home video. She smiles and hugs Andy and shows such love in her eyes- Then that one split second we see her cup her hand to her mouth when Andy walks away, as if trying to hold back tears. That was a very moving moment for me and I love the subtle touches Demme used all through out this film.
Baba mi Ogun modupe
President Barack Obama
For me is when Tom leaves Denzel office and stays at the door thinking that nobody (except his family) cares about him.
shareThere are so many powerful scenes as others have mentioned -- the opera scene, the lesion scene, etc. One more to add was the video at the end because it showed him as an innocent child as everyone once was, not as a gay man with AIDs who had sex with another man in gay porn theater. I see homeless people, drug addicts, prostitutes and always think that they were innocent and (hopefully) loved children -- how did they get to this point? These people aren't bad but just had bad situations, made bad choices, but shouldn't be thrown away.
sharethe most powerful scene for me has to be him coming out of the lawyer's office standing outside looking lost and unsure. The look on his face is one that I will always remember if this film is even mentioned. My favorite Tom Hanks acting moment.
Predictions:DiCaprio/Streep/Winslet/Fiennes
The scene where the brother hugs him at the end in the hospital room and he breaks down. Gets me every time
shareThe most powerful scene IMO was the scene were Tom's character is in the library and the librarian is asking him if he would prefer a seat at another table. Tom Hanks is fine with his seat and says no. Then the librarian continues to ask him if he wouldn't prefer sitting somewhere else. At this point other people at the table kinda have an idea what's going on (his research is on the table) and they just sit there quietly doing nothing. And across the room Denzel Washington's characters witnesses the whole thing and comes to his aid.
To me this scene is the most powerful scene in the movie. every time i see it i get totally rilled up. I really can't stand discrimination in any shape form or fashion.
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I agree. When I saw this scene, I immediately thought to myself, *beep* what if this guy was my own brother, or son, etc.?" and that's when the movie really hit me hard. I think it was a great addition to the ending, it's not overdoing the emotion but just making sure that even those guys with a pretty thick skin (I hadn't gotten emotional until then) don't miss out on the message.
shareYes, the scene in the hospital where his brother breaks down crying makes me start crying, too. And I keep crying, eventually sobbing, right through the credits.
And when he tells Miguel that he's - ready - I'm wailing by this time.
I'm watching the movie right now, and as much as I agree with everyone, I smiled when I read Poet26's response. Something about Joanne Woodward's reaction in that moment always KILLS me. I mean, I sob through points in the movie anyway, but that one part just... it's a beautiful moment.
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