Antonio Banderas and Tom Hanks, two of Hollywood’s most prolific actors, playing a gay couple in a movie that not only addressed homophobia but also HIV/AIDs was certainly not in the cards in 1993. But so it was. Receiving incredibly positive critical and audience reaction, Philadelphia quickly became one of the highest-grossing movies of that time, despite being Banderas and Hanks’ most controversial movie of their careers.
While Hanks later seemed to have a different opinion of the film, Banderas back then was in awe of the way the movie changed things. He even revealed one deleted scene from the movie that never made it to the final film.
One Deleted Scene from Antonio Banderas and Tom Hanks’ Philadelphia
A legal drama that dealt with homophobia and the misconceptions regarding HIV/AIDS, Antonio Banderas and Tom Hanks‘ Philadelphia was a crucial film made at the right time. Released to largely positive critical and commercial success, the movie’s appeal and status were solidified when the film bagged two Academy Awards: Best Actor for Tom Hanks and Best Original Song for Bruce Springsteen’s hauntingly beautiful Streets of Philadelphia.
Released at a time when the misinformation and fear about HIV and AIDS were unchecked, on top of the rampant homophobia, the Denzel Washington-starrer film was one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to focus on a gay relationship, bringing such representation to the forefront in a significant way. Made against a budget of $26 million, the film grossed a massive $206 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo).
Back in 1995, in an interview with Attitude, Banderas appreciated the way the film changed the perception of the film industry toward LGBTQ+ roles but also revealed one scene from the film that got deleted.
Tom and I had a scene in bed where I tell him a story in a funny way about how a guy in the gym said to me: ‘How you gonna feel knowing your boyfriend’s gonna die?’ And I tell him I said: ‘How do you know you’re not gonna die first, b*tch?’
Although the scene never made it to the film, the above-mentioned scene featured the character development of his and Hanks’ roles, providing a deeper insight into their relationship dynamics and personal struggles. Despite the lack of this one scene, the film as a whole made a deep impression on audiences worldwide.
Tom Hanks Now Has a Different Perception of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, directed by the acclaimed Jonathan Demme, was a simple film about a man who had been wronged due to his ‘personal beliefs’ and chronic disease. It was a movie featuring a man fighting to live a normal life, yet the film was absolutely crucial in bringing LGBTQ+ representation to the forefront in a significant way.
While it remains a significant film even now, the film’s reception today might be more complex and Tom Hanks understands that better than anyone. In an interview with the New York Times, the actor addressed the potential controversy such a film might cause today and stated,
[…] Let’s address ‘could a straight man do what I did in Philadelphia now?’ No, and rightly so. The whole point of Philadelphia was don’t be afraid. One of the reasons people weren’t afraid of that movie is that I was playing a gay man. We’re beyond that now, and I don’t think people would accept the inauthenticity of a straight guy playing a gay guy.
Back then, the roles of Andrew and Miguel could not have been more justly played by anyone else other than Hanks and Banderas, respectively. Yet, today the conversation around authentic representation in media has evolved, with many advocating for LGBTQ+ actors to portray LGBTQ+ characters.
While this is a different debate altogether, there is no denying that the film’s core message about compassion, justice, and human rights continues to resonate powerfully even now.
Philadelphia can be rented on Amazon Prime Video.
