Philadelphia Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Philadelphia" by Twilight Time presents the film in an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, delivering a commendable video experience. Despite the intrinsic limitations stemming from the film's frequent dark interior scenes and brown-toned color palette, the high-definition presentation excels in rendering appreciable fine object detail and a nicely saturated, albeit usually quite muted, palette. Outdoor and brightly lit daytime sequences benefit significantly, displaying enhanced clarity and vividness. The presentation features a consistent, fine layer of grain that adds a pleasingly cinematic texture.

One notable observation is the appearance of some strange visual anomalies, possibly attributable to the Blu-ray’s heightened resolution. A peculiar reflection is evident in the library scene during a camera pan, where it almost seems as if the scene was shot through Plexiglas, diverging from typical lens flare characteristics. These quirks aside, "Philadelphia" on Blu-ray offers a solid and professionally executed video transfer that enhances the film's visual storytelling despite its inherent aesthetic constraints.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Philadelphia" primarily shines during its iconic bookending songs and the bustling cityscape scenes, which bring the film to life with a vivid auditory backdrop. Dialogue is predominantly anchored in the front channels but occasionally makes use of surround sound to artistically depict Beckett’s deteriorating health. This is particularly effective during the climactic courtroom sequences where muffled noises add a layer of psychological complexity. The audio fidelity is commendable though the overall dynamic range remains somewhat limited.

The Twilight Time Limited Edition Blu-ray offers a solid, if not spectacular, audio experience that underscores the film's narrative without overshadowing it. While the DTS-HD track doesn’t have frequent opportunities to showcase its full potential, especially outside of musical sequences, it remains consistently clear and effective. Despite the somber tone of some scenes, the audio remains detailed and engaging, contributing to a thoroughly immersive viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Philadelphia" offer a robust array of insightful and historically significant content that enriches the viewer's understanding of the film. The extras include an assemblage of deleted scenes, archival footage, and interviews that provide deeper context and background into the film's production and thematic elements. The audio commentary by director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Ron Nyswaner stands out as particularly engaging, offering intricate details about the film’s lengthy development process and personal anecdotes from Nyswaner. While the isolated score track showcases Howard Shore's music in high-quality DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, it regrettably omits key songs like Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia” due to licensing constraints.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Omissions that provide additional story insights.
• Courthouse Protest Footage and Interviews: Archival protest footage and brief interviews.
• Making of Philadelphia: Behind-the-scenes look at the film's creation.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: The original promotion for the film.
• Isolated Score Track: Music track by Howard Shore in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.
• Audio Commentary: Detailed discussions by director and screenwriter.

Jonathan Demme's "Philadelphia" stands as a significant film that illuminated the plight of AIDS and homophobia during the early 1990s. Tom Hanks, in an Oscar-winning performance, embodies Andrew Beckett, a gay attorney battling both AIDS and entrenched prejudice in his renowned law firm. Denzel Washington co-stars as Joe Miller, a sole practitioner initially uncomfortable with Beckett's sexuality and disease but ultimately becomes his unlikely advocate. The film commences with an intense legal discussion that subtly sets the tone for the opposing trajectories of Beckett and Miller’s careers, revealing an underlying societal division.

The film’s narrative pivots sharply as Beckett is dismissed over a misplaced document—an incident steeped in blatant discrimination under the guise of incompetence. As he faces insurmountable ostracism, Beckett turns to Miller for representation, highlighting moments of raw societal homophobia and the gradual shift in Miller’s perspective. The courtroom drama that unfolds is meticulously crafted, albeit formulaic by today's standards, culminating in a poignant depiction of Beckett's deteriorating health and Miller’s burgeoning realization of shared humanity.

While Hanks and Washington deliver exemplary performances, bringing emotion and gravitas, some criticism arises from Ron Nyswaner's screenplay and Demme's direction. The caricatured portrayal of law firm partners and occasionally melodramatic techniques mar the otherwise noble thematic intentions. These elements can feel overwrought as the film veers into sentimentality, which some may perceive as manipulating its audience more than necessary. Despite these flaws, "Philadelphia" remains a powerful artifact of its era, reflective of evolving societal norms and attitudes toward AIDS and LGBTQ+ rights.

Philadelphia is a poignant and historically significant film that features exceptional performances by Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. Tom Hanks delivers a deeply affecting portrayal of Andrew Beckett, a man fighting wrongful dismissal while grappling with AIDS. Denzel Washington’s character, Joe Miller, provides a critical counterbalance with his nuanced journey from skepticism to empathy. The support from actors like Jason Robards and Joanne Woodward enhances the narrative with compelling, layered performances that still resonate strongly despite the film’s age.

The direction by Jonathan Demme is noteworthy for its sensitivity and keen eye for detail, though some may find certain elements heavy-handed by today’s standards. The Blu-ray presentation showcases the film with remarkable clarity. The video quality benefits from a meticulous transfer that preserves the original cinematography’s subtle lighting and color palette, essential for immersing viewers in the early ’90s Philadelphia setting. Similarly, the audio is clean and provides an immersive experience, ensuring dialogue and the impactful musical score by Howard Shore are both crisp and clear.

Philadelphia may strike some as overly mawkish and simple-minded, but one has to place the film in its proper historical context to fully appreciate its valiant effort. While some aspects of the film have not aged particularly well, the two lead performances still have awesome power and visceral intensity. The supporting cast is also wonderful, even if Robards is forced to chew the scenery with abandon, balanced by Joanne Woodward's touchingly understated turn as Beckett's anguished mother. This Blu-ray offers very good video and audio and has some decent supplements. Recommended. Philadelphia is certainly a significant film filled with top-notch actors working at the peak of their abilities. If today it seems a little heavy-handed in its approach to homophobia, that’s a good barometer of how far we’ve come in a fairly short time. And the movie continues to have enough resonance to demonstrate that we still have a long way to go.