Philadelphia Movie Review - Ethics

The movie Philadelphia was produced by Ronald Bozman, Gary Goetzman, and Kenneth Utt in 1993, after the AIDS epidemic peaked in the early 1990s, and when the general public viewed AIDS as a homosexual disease.  Uneducated citizens of the United States feared individuals that contracted the disease which triggered social tension during this time period. Philadelphia portrays how individuals were discriminated against, based on sexual preference, by members of the community. Furthermore, the movie was filmed to bring attention and knowledge to the unfair treatment of AIDS victims. The film focuses on homosexuality being the main contributor of the epidemic, but briefly brings to light how blood transfusions were an additional source of the disease.

The setting of the movie takes place in the late 1980s, in the city of Philadelphia, where Andy Beckett (Tom Hanks) is a top lawyer at a prestigious corporate law firm. Beckett conceals his sexual preference and AIDS diagnosis from his colleagues. After important documents disappear, Beckett is fired for being incompetent. Recognizing wrongful termination, He contacts several attorneys that are unwilling to take the case, including a homophobic Joe Miller (Denzel Washington), a personal injury lawyer. Ultimately, Miller decides to take the case after witnessing Beckett being discriminated against. The rest of the film plays out mainly in the courtroom, where the story provides insight to the firm’s homophobic attitude, society’s viewpoint, and Millers changing outlook towards Beckett.

Business is evident from the beginning of the movie Philadelphia. The movie portrays a corporate law firm, Wyant and Wheeler, where the ethics of the corporation come under scrutiny. The firm tried to set forth a policy that did not exist, by providing their coworkers and clients a safe environment to work in. The firm tried to accuse the credibility of Beckett due to his illness, but illegally fired him. Social tension is also highlighted, when he approaches Miller at Macready and Shilts Legal Services. When Beckett reveals that he has AIDS, Miller is noticeably apprehensive to be in the same room with him. After considering the details, Miller rejects to take the case. His homophobia is highlighted in scenes from the doctor’s office and at home where he makes crude comments to his wife about homosexuals. These scenes portray Miller’s true feelings on why he did not take Beckett’s case.

The course book, Managing Business Ethics defines ‘‘bad barrels’’ as, “bad work environments that not only condone, but may even expect unethical behavior” (36). It goes on to state that, “…behavior can easily turn bad if they believe that their boss or organization expects them to behave unethically or if everyone else appears to be engaging in a particular practice” (36).  “Bad barrels” are represented in the partners and some of the clients of the firm. It is made clear in the movie scene when Charles Wheeler (Jason Robards), Beckett, and other employees are in a sauna relaxing when someone makes a joke. Wheeler then responds with an offensive joke about homosexuals, which all the men find humorous, revealing his viewpoint. Wheelers mindset extends to the clients of the company that once thought of Beckett as an impressive attorney. When Mr. Laird, an executive of a large insurance company, takes the stand he changes his tone only referring to Beckett as satisfactory.