Tom Hanks would turn down his role in "Philadelphia" today
It was the film that shaped an entire generation and, at the same time, the work that focused attention on a particularly important issue that many did not want to deal with. "Philadelphia" moved many people to tears and was certainly what many would call a "look outside the box."
Suddenly, AIDS sufferers were given a face... And a very familiar one at that (even today). It seems all the more astonishing that Tom Hanks himself recently announced in an interview with the New York Times Magazine that he would no longer play his role from back then. But why not?
Tom Hanks and his gay role
In "Philadelphia" Tom Hanks played a gay man who was infected with AIDS and had to give up his life. Today he believes that it would be inappropriate to take on such a role again. The reason: he does not think that a heterosexual man could play this role. Apparently, the 65-year-old actor is concerned with a factor that has become increasingly important in this day and age - even in the film industry: authenticity.
But wasn't this always a given? The film broke many records, shook people up and brought tears to their eyes. Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington played two men who set out to sue a law firm for discrimination. For: Hanks' character (Andrew Beckett) was fired due to a confirmed HIV condition and the fact that he loved men. As time goes on, the two become more and more friends and manage to stand up to the "big enemy", Beckett's former employer, time and time again.
The film even earned Tom Hanks an Oscar.
Philadelphia built bridges
For a long period of time, AIDS was considered "the gay disease". Many people simply had no desire to deal with the subject. For a long time, there was also the prejudice that heterosexuals could not contract the disease anyway. However, "Philadelphia" finally managed to give the disease a face.
It was the first film from Hollywood to deal with this topic in such a forceful way and to build bridges accordingly. And that was exactly what was needed at the latest. After all, thousands of people had already died of the disease when the film was released in cinemas in the USA.
Not everyone was enthusiastic about the subject, however. The movie's release also drew the attention of many critics, who demonstrated against showing it in cinemas. The accusation was that "Philadelphia" portrayed being gay as something good. All this did not detract from the success. Hanks received his Oscar for his acting performance in 1994.
According to the interview, however, he would no longer consider himself authentic in this role in this day and age. In the meantime, the demands - especially in the area of authenticity - have risen further. And that is absolutely fine. But: He as a heterosexual man could no longer offer what would be expected of him in this case.
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