Philadelphia was a groundbreaking AIDS film of the early 90s, when the panic surrounding the outbreak of the 80s was just starting to calm down as people learned more about the disease and advocacy of patient's rights became more of an issue. Tom Hanks was awarded the first of two consecutive Oscars for his work in this film, as Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer with AIDS who sues his firm for wrongful dismissal. It's an incredibly powerful film throughout, but one scene stands out as the most emotionally stirring. As Beckett's condition takes a turn for the worse, he is hospitalized, and becomes clear that he doesn't have a whole lot of time left. But while he's dying in the hospital, his (formerly homophobic) lawyer played by Denzel Washington arrives with a piece of good news: he has won his case. The significance of this victory cannot be overstated, and knowing that he has done something that will help all the people who come after him gives Beckett peace in his last days. It's a classic tearjerker scene that can make even the most cynical among us feel something.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
