Directed By: Jonathan Demme
Written By: Ron Nyswaner
Cinematography By: Tak Fujimoto
Editor: Craig McKay
Cast: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robarbs, Joanne Woodward, Anna Deavere Smith, Chandra Wilson, Robert Ridgely, Bradley Whitford, Tracy Walter, Adam Lefevre, Charles Napier, Roger Corman, Obba Babtunde
Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer infected with AIDS, is fired from his conservative law firm in fear that they might contract AIDS from him. After Andrew is fired, in a last attempt for peace, he sues his former law firm with the help of a homophobic lawyer, Joe Miller. During the court battle, Miller sees that Beckett is no different than anyone else on the gritty streets of the city of brotherly love, sheds his homophobia and helps Beckett with his case before AIDS overcomes him.
This film is remarkable as it takes up a serious issue and social cause, yet also manages to make it personal. The film could easily have gone a more cookie cutter melodramatic route. Which it does reach At times for good reason, but then easily backs away and returns to it's slow heartbreaking scenes.
The film has two sequences that approach overwrought sentimentality with score. The opera record where Tom Hanks emotes and tells the story of what is happening in the piece of music with passion, while showing how it means something personal to him and also he ending showing home movies of his Character growing up with a Neil you g song playing. In the wrong hands it would seem like emotional manipulation in Director Jonathan Demme's hands he makes it artful an necessary as it fits into the story
I like that the film makes Denzel Washington the audiences surrogate as he is a like able character, but we see his prejudices even while representing Tom hanks character and as the movie goes on. He learns more about the disease, gay community and his client puts a face on everything For him and us he personally begins to change. I really enjoyed the chemistry and dynamic between him and Tom hanks
Tom Hanks character seems more the perfect ideal of a character then an actual real character at times, but I have to say this is the performance out of all that came before that not only won me over but impressed me and i am sure i'm not alone enough with his talent to look at him In a new light. here he plays his typical happy go lucky fun character, but here he feels more iconic as we slowly begin to watch him wither and slowly die, but always with a positive attitude and with a bravery. Only truly breaking down once.
This film while routine when I saw it In theaters the film film Felt so different and raw. It really made An impression on me of what a film Can be. Even if it seems like a event movie or a issue movie. It can still be more and personal. --I think that fact can easily be forgotten. By now it's dated and feels a little more square, but it truly shows the issues and attitude o the time period. This film was also vital in learning and showing acceptance to a community hat had been more or less hidden or shunned by society and the film world.
The fact that 2 superstar actors took on this project at the height of their careers and helped open people's eyes is mind blowing. It is why I am fan of Director Jonathan Demme as a director though he directs more Hollywood type films these days. He still seems to have an artist’s eye as he employs more experimental and abstract touches to his films to throw the audience off and present a story, We might have seen before in a totally different way. Making it strange, but brings a certain excitement.to the films and his work. Tom Hanks lost 26 pounds during his role for this film
The home movies at the end which show Andrew as a child are real life videos of Tom Hanks in his childhood Originally, director Jonathan Demme was going to cast a comedic actor in role of Joe Miller as he felt it would be a good counter balance for Tom Hanks who had already been cast and to give an audience the "it's OK" to watch a film about a gay man dying of AIDS. Demme had considered casting either Bill Murray or Robin Williams but when Denzel Washington showed interest in the part, he gave the role to him instead because Demme had wanted to work with Washington for the past few years.
This film is like a Billy Joel album. It has a theme, but the individual songs that make up the album have a different direction, but fill you In on the overall aspect, but gives you a certain viewpoint that when they all come together inform and make up a story for the time, but let you personally get involved. I choose Billy Joel as he is more blue collar popular yet tuneful. He brings a star quality to material though doesn't fit the mold of a star. This film has star quality, but doesn't fit the mold of a star. His songs can be seen as men he once was or could have been relating their situation or lot in life to no one in particular. Ballads if you will, but they move and don't stick in the mid of self loathing like this film we know what will happen, but before it does the character is determined to fill his life with joy, yet fight for his rights. So no One else will have to suffer like him back then it was Rare. Having a main character have aids on a film now is more common.
Though it feels more like it was aiming for Oscar bait. The film actually managed to make a difference and have a powerful identity of it's own.
Now of course it could have been Frank Capra-esque by having it be all about what's right, but one of the powerful things the movie does is have Denzel Washington's character have his own prejudices being repulsed at first then slowly overcoming his prejudices and becoming informed and actually forming a bond with Tom hanks character that is miraculous to witness. --In it's own way the film is a crowd pleaser while dealing with the reality of the situation and also making a statement and humanizing the afflicted and affliction.
I remember going to see this film In high school twice. For some Odd reason It was one of the first films where I really paid attention to the fashion of the characters impressed by the way they dressed so elegant to a degree.
It's not a film I watch often, but it still affects me anytime I watch it even writing this review thinking about the film makes me emotional. It represents a certain time In my past that is warm and still growing in my beliefs and spirit. Plus each time I had ever watched this film it has been with family of some sort.
Grade: B+
No comments:
Post a Comment