Philadelphia Review by: Rina Gangemi Spano Teaching Sociology, Vol. 23, No. 4 (Oct., 1995), pp.

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430
in new ways about the historicalroots of crime and violence in today'sinner-cityghettos. LauraM. Hecht and Ann Marie K. Kinnell Indiana University

TEACHING SOCIOLOGY
This film has applicationto a numberof sociology courses,particularly sociology of medicine, social problems,sociologyof deviance,and introduction to sociology. Philadelphia is an excellent starting point for the explication of sociological concepts such as prejudice,discrimination,stigma, deviance, homophobia, stereotypes,labeling, and subcultures. Andy Beckettcan certainlybe analyzed in his status as "patient"and how that affects his relationshipswith family, co-workers,and health careproviders. The conceptof diseaseepidemiology can be explored.Of course,the film can also be used as a documentaryof sorts on the ravagesof AIDS. By now, just about everyoneknows someone who has died of AIDS, though most will not have witnessedsuch a death.Philadelphiadoes not sparethe viewer:The audience is privy to both the physical and the emotional pain felt by Andy Beckett, his partner,and his family.Ultimately,of course, one hopes that an informed, objective, and analytical discussion of this film will reduce if not eliminate homophobia in those students who are openly or That maybe a privatelybiasedagainsthomosexuals. tall order, but the film could be a start in that direction. On the other hand, it is entirelypossible their thatsome studentswill use the film to reinforce Severalscenes are somewhat explicit homophobia. in the tenderness thatAndyand Miguel,his devoted feel for each other. Classroomviewing of partner, this film runs the risk of insensitive student outbursts. It is safe to assume that a typical college classroomwill have one or more homosexualsin it, and one or more homophobes.Sociologicallessons, however important, should not be taught at the expenseof the homosexualstudents.Giventhe possibilitiesfor interpersonal problems,I would recommend that the viewing of this film be done outside of the classroomas the basis for an optionalcourse assignment.The potentialfor enlightenmentis cerfor tainly there, but it is not guaranteed all viewers. In this case,becauseof the film'ssensitivetopic, it is best to erron the side of caution. The followingarestudyquestionsand/or topics for short papers. Depending on the particular than others. course,some will be moreappropriate 1) Define prejudiceand discrimination.Apply as these conceptsto Andy Beckettin particular they occur in this film and to homosexualsin generalas they occur in the largersociety. 2) What is homophobia?Describe the homoin phobic attitudesand behaviorsthat areexpressed the this film by Joe Miller,the librarian, men in the barwith Miller,the crowdsoutside the courthouse Focuson the law partand other minor characters. ners. Discuss in detail the homophobiaof the law partners.Their actionsare, of course,a centralplot of the film. But what are the beliefs about homosexualsthat motivatedtheir actions?What did they reallyfear?How could Beckett be so respectedone day and so reviledthe next?Apply Thomas'sTheorem to the demise of Andy Beckett.

star.PG-13.

125 Philadelphia. minutes.1993. Columbia Tri-

Philadelphiais the story of AndrewBeckett(played by Tom Hanks), a brilliantyoung corporatelawyer law with one of Philadelphia's most prestigious firms. A closetedhomosexual,Beckett is fired unjustlyon trumped-upchargesof incompetencewhen the law is suspecthe hasAIDS. Yet,Philadelphia not partners a primarily movie about AIDS, though it is hardto imaginethat even the most callousof viewerswould not be sensitizedto the ravagesof the disease.It is, instead,a film abouthomophobia,the fearand loathhealth deteriorates As ing of homosexuals. Beckett's rapidly,capturedin his emaciatedframeand other in visiblesigns of illness,he seekslegalrepresentation his discrimination againstthe lawfirm.Afternine suit unsuccessful attemptsto retaincounsel, BeckettapJoe proaches Miller (playedby Denzel Washington), as a black,"ambulance attorney, a lastresort. chasing" When Beckett tells him, "I have AIDS," Miller is obviouslyconcernedthat Beckettshookhis repulsed, hand and touchedhis desk, and he, too, turnsdown the case. It is only when he sees Beckettin a library, his preparing own defense, that he is moved to ask to He morequestionsabouthis dismissal. agrees take case. Beckett's Joe Miller is, in fact, every bit as brilliant an attorney as Andy Beckett. He is also every bit as homophobic as the attorneys who fired Beckett. Though he agrees to represent Beckett when he recognizes that, like blacks, homosexuals are discriminatedagainstbased on their membershipin a particulargroup, his own loathing of homosexuals is not easily overcome. In the courtroom, he brilliantly exposes the bigotry that caused Beckett to be wrongfully dismissed; outside of the courtroom, Miller struggles to come to termswith his own homophobia.Indeed, Miller'sresolutionof his homophobia, his changed perceptionofAndy Beckett,and his growingrespect and affection for him, are a significantpart of what this film is reallyall about. Miller wins the case against the law partners. Beckett,who is dying painfullythroughoutthe trial, lives just long enough to learn of the legal victory. The "wakeparty"that followshis death is a celebration of the life of Andy Beckett. The film makesit clearthat his sexualorientationwas only one definof ing characteristic Andy Beckett, and surely not the most important characteristic.An intelligent, cultured,gentle manwith a greatsenseof justiceand Andy Beckettwas a fine humanbeingwho integrity, happenedto be a homosexual.It is Andy Beckett,in the totality of his personhood, who is lovingly rememberedby his familyand friends.

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FILM AND VIDEOREVIEWS

431

you think that the announcement of HIV-positive

that of 3) Oneof thelawpartners suspects Beckett effectiveway to raisepublic awareness the virus hasAIDSwhenhe seesa lesionon hisforehead. This and to promote safesex?Explain. is the firstsignof Kaposi's a Sarcoma, rareformof 9) Overall,what is your reaction to this film? cancer that is associated AIDS.In Goffman's Did it causeyou to examineor reexamine with your own terms,discussthese lesions on Andy Beckettas beliefs and attitudesabout life, love, justice, homoHow man- sexualityand disease? so, how?Is the changein Joe If "stigma." didBeckett employ impression whilehe wascontrollably positive? Millerbelievable? HIV viewers agement Explain.Canheterosexual sues of 4) Beckett thelawfirmforviolation the identify at all with Andy Beckett?If so, how so? Federal Vocational Rehabilitation whichdefines Explainyour answer.Would you adviseme to conAct This of AIDSasaprotected handicap. lawspeaks the tinue to offerthis film analysisasan optionalassign"social death" precedes actual that the death ment?Why or why not? physical on Based theevents Surely,there are even more questions that this by experienced AIDSsufferers. of this filmas wellas on additional from film raises. examples or life" describe this When I assignthe out-of-classviewingof a film, yourreadings "real incidences, "social death." Howdo youaccount suchpreju- I encouragemy studentsto watch it with others. It for dicewhenmostpeople very aware AIDS doesn'tmatterif thoseothersarein the courseor not. are well that is notcontracted casual contact? there They should, aboveall, talk about the film. As long Are through to any other groupsof people subjected "social as the students produce their own paper,they are death" because illnessor otherascribed of statuses? free, even encouraged, to discuss the questions. Discuss. Does thisseemreasonable you?Doesit Since so many of the answerswill depend on perto sonal beliefsand attitudes,life experiences, seemfair? Explain. interpremembers are tationofthe film, andperception(someoneis bound 5) All of Andy Beckett's family aware his homosexuality of his illness. of and They to see or hear something another missed), an aniare (in-lawsincluded)totallysupportive him. mateddialogueis an effectiveway to exchangeideas of Describethe familyas a primary groupand the and opinions. I have found that this procedure functions the familyas an institution. works quite well, and that students,manyof whom of expected Do you findBeckett's to noble? are visual learners,enjoy this type of courseassignfamily beespecially Underthesecircumstances you thinktheirre- ment. do is or yourself sponse typical extraordinary? Imagine or your best friendin the placeof AndyBeckett. Rina Gangemi Spano Howwouldyourfamily yourfriend's names, or (no CaldwellCollege react? family please) 6) At one point in the film,a youngblacklaw Where is My Future: GenerationX. 22 minutes. student to pickupJoeMiller. tries furious Miller, at 1994. Purchase Library. Rental$55 from Filmakers the insinuation, shouts,"Do I look gay to you?" Price $250 from Filmakers Library,124 East 40th Discussand correctseveral mythsand stereotypes St., New York,NY 10016. abouthomosexuals areraised thisfilm. that in is 7) Duringthe trialAndyBeckett askedif he This video is an analysisof the cohort of people everfrequented houses and pornographic movie gay culturallydefined to be the children of the Baby if he everengaged sex there.Andyanswers in that X. Boomers,calledGeneration The focusof thevideo in yes, he had,on one occasion 1984 or 1985. At is thisgeneration Canada it seemsapplicable in but to thattime,he says, were of homosexuals aware a "gay the UnitedStatesaswell. with scholUsinginterviews or "gay but knowhow ars, membersof GenerationX, focus cancer," "Wedidn't plague" groups, and was you couldget it." Although AndyBeckett not analyses specificsocialcircumstances, film disof the is deliberately lying on the stand,this statement cussesthe difficulties facingthis generationin terms inaccurate. firstcaseof AIDSwas reported The in of economic chances for success, cultural factors the UnitedStates 1981.Review "milestones" which haveaffectedthe in the of acceptance this generation related AIDS(research thevirus,thespread to on of by the restof society,and societalchangesthat have the disease, announcements infec- affected this generation.The video focuses on the of drugtherapy, tion/death well-known of Americans, Whatare aspirations, etc.) of goals,and subjective perceptions diffithe future cultiesfelt by Generation Xers.It followsthreememprojections? of death bersof this generation work,school,home, volunto 8) The inevitability a slow,agonizing from in AIDS,aswitnessed thisfilm,should prompt teer,and socialactivities. safe from WhereisMy Futurewouldbe appropriate the in mostpeopleto practice sexandto refrain otherwise behavior. youthinkthisfilm following courses:social change,life course,sociolDo high-risk in anywaywillcontribute peoplechanging to their ogy of culture, and/or introductionto sociology. I behaviors? orwhynot?Research topicand used this video in introductionto sociology during this Why that substantiate resultsof a section of the course dealing with social action. the reporton surveys AIDSeducation personal and increasing practices. Society'sperceptionof this generationis that they Havetheychanged muchsince1981?Howso?Do are apathetic, unconcerned,and uninvolved. This statusby a celebrity(e.g. MagicJohnson)is an
video can be used to challengesome of these stereotypes and to focus on specific difficultiesfaced by

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