Philadelphia

In the movie, Philadelphia, Denzel Washington plays a well known African American lawyer. His character is a heterosexual male with a wife and a new baby daughter. At the beginning of the movie, he has very negative feelings towards homosexuals. As the movie continues, his character evolves and his feelings towards homosexuals and people affected with AIDS changes.

When Tom Hank’s character asks Washington to represent him in court, he becomes very uncomfortable around Hanks. After Hanks reveals he has AIDS, Washington becomes very distant, and fearful that he could contract the disease from being around him. Washington even visits the doctor to make sure he wouldn’t contract AIDS. Washington speaks negatively about homosexuals to his wife and others.

Washington runs into Hanks at the library where Hanks is researching for his court case. He was blackmailed by the company he worked for because they were also, like Washington, afraid of the deadly disease and his homosexuality. Hanks tell Washington that he hasn’t found anyone to represent him in court, and Washington agrees