In 1993, Philadelphia was a really important film, and a good one. I remember that it made quite an impression on me, and that I liked it a lot.

Now, thirty years later, when I watch it again, I give it a 6/10 rating. Why? It's not a film mainly aimed at young people, making me too old for it. It's not a movie whose special effects or fight scenes have aged poorly.

No, Philadelphia is a film that reminds me that a large part of the western world has actually evolved in a decidedly positive way. Watching it again in 2023, I remember how much more prejudiced our societies were towards gay people thirty years ago. I'm not saying there's not still a lot of work to be done. I'm saying it was way worse back then.

Philadelphia may even have contributed to that evolution to some extent. The cast and crew deserve to be recognized for their courage in making this film.

But a consequence of the evolution of society in this regard is that some aspects of the film feel dated. That is certainly true of Joe Miller, the character played by Denzel Washington. The legal case forces Mr. Miller to confront his own prejudices against gay men, but it's depicted in a clumsy, heavy-handed way. In fact, I doubt that film makers today would have chosen to make Mr. Miller a Black man, since it feeds into another stereotype.

Philadelphia is still worth watching, but it's not as good as it was. And that's a good thing.