Hard to put yourself back 12 years and to imagine the impact this film might have had at the time it was released. But seeing it in 2005, it has the same effect as a recent performance of "Damn Yankees" which I saw at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. In 2005, "Damn Yankees" is unimaginably dated. The same with "Philadelphia." Frankly, Magic Johnson's TV announcement that he had HIV was far more moving than this film. Hard to believe it won any awards. Especially feeble are the court room scenes from which Jonathan Demme has managed to drain every ounce of energy. In 2005, Tom Hanks' Oscar winning role as the lawyer dying of AIDS is completely unaffecting. Denzel Washington is stiff as a board, and Jason Robards is a laughable villain. If you've never seen it, don't bother.