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Philadelphia

(1993, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Antonio Banderas, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Moving, Oscared '90s drama fostered AIDS empathy.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The law firm partners lie, cover up their behavior, and attach Andy. Several characters also make derogatory comments about gay people, calling them "disgusting." But the film also humanizes people with a dreaded and stigmatized disease and has at its heart a message of love and acceptance of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or STD status.

  • Violence:

    Joe lunges at a man who comes on to him and threatens to attack him.

  • Sex:

    Andy and Miguel kiss briefly. A lot of talk about how STDs like HIV/AIDS are spread and the implication that Andy deserves it because he's gay. A visit to a gay porn theater is discussed.

  • Language:

    Some salty language, including "bulls--t," "s--t," "goddamn," and "asshole." Several characters use anti-gay slurs, such as "queers" and "faggot."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The senior law firm partners smoke cigars and drink liquor. Andy smokes a cigar at a party. Joe hands out cigars and smokes one after the birth of his daughter. At a party, everyone drinks alcohol, but not to excess.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Philadelphia

Parents need to know there's considerable discussion about homosexuality and AIDS, as well as painful discussions of who "deserves" to get AIDS. For gay and sensitive viewers, this conversation can be especially triggering. Joe threatens to "kick your faggoty ass" when a man comes up and hits on him in a drug store. The film also shows Joe's wife giving birth and Tom Hanks' character surrounded by family as he passes away.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about STDs and safe sex. Can you tell who has an STD and who doesn't just by looking at them? What do kids at your school think? Families can also talk about how they feel as a family about gay issues. Do you object when people use anti-gay language at school? Do you feel the way Joe does when people start accusing him of being gay because he represents Andy? Has the social climate changed for gay people and people with AIDS since this movie came out? How has it gotten better and how has it gotten worse? Which people in the public eye are "out" that you're aware of and how are they treated by the media? Do you think they have more pressure than straight famous people?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Mr581
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism

    the theme is the only reason young kids 5-8 cant watch

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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