3. Dismissal In Library - Philadelphia
First released in 1993, Philadelphia struck the hearts of many being a highly taboo topic for its time. It was the elephant in the room highly controversial, with next to no information supplied about AIDS, and a general "hush-hush" attitude from the western population. Arguably, it's a film of its time and of our history. And when Hanks won for best actor at the Oscars, nobody was surprised. While there are many stand-out moments Hanks performed as Andrew Beckett a man who takes his previous employer to court over his contraction of AIDS after they fire him it's the scene where he receives such dismissal in his local library that becomes the turning point. When Andrew Beckett is busy researching for his case, a librarian comes over and states that they've found material on HIV discrimination. After Andrew thanks him, the librarian stands there and proceeds to ask him if he'd be more comfortable in another room. Awkward glances are exchanged from one person to another sat in the library, while Denzel Washington's character Joe Miller sits and watches the interaction take place. Andrew says with calm defiance: "No, would it make you more comfortable?" The line's execution is delivered perfectly by Hanks, who sits there in a calm yet steely reserve, with the librarian staring down on him. Later in the scene, when Beckett is speaking to Miller about the Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Act, Hanks delivers another line with a wonderfully placed pause, followed by a large gulp. The emotion behind Hanks' eyes, as well as his hesitation, gives the line much more weight than we anticipated, forcefully bringing us to the conclusion that he will not survive. The precision of Hanks' deliverance is completely mesmerising, coupled with his sheer commitment to this role and the film's poignant political message, secures it as one of his greatest movie moments.