Tom Hanks vs Denzel Washington

                ‘these people make me sick, but a law has been broken’ – Joe Miller.

Last summer on the All Def Digital podcast SquADD Cast Versus, they debated which of the two juggernaut actors was better- Tom Hanks or Denzel Washington. After some conversation about their different styles of acting and whose catalogue would be better to take to a desert island, Denzel Washington won the debate by one.

I’ve watched few films from the two Oscar award winners, so I haven’t made enough of a dent into their filmographies to seriously join the conversation or critique their final ruling.

But why choose between the two when I can watch both.

In Philadelphia, two once opposing lawyers, Andrew Beckett (Hanks), and Joe Miller (Washington), work together to argue the wrongful dismissal of Beckett from his law firm.

The two lawyers meet briefly at the start of the film. They’re both underhanded lawyers, just on different sides of the courtroom. Miller doesn’t try to disguise his exploitation of the law, passing out business cards in every environment and becoming known infamously as “The TV Guy” due to his relentless ads used build his clientele.  

Joe Miller believes that everyone has a case, but he didn’t jump at the chance to represent Beckett. His fear of AIDS and prejudice against gay men kept him away. But after seeing the mistreatment Andrew receives when people are aware of his diagnosis, Miller takes on the case.

The trial is emotional for everyone involved. Beckett is the most obviously affected as his body tries to fight AIDS while also try to be a strong presence in the courtroom. Defence attorney, Belinda Conine, also feels the emotional toll of the case, muttering to co-council ‘I hate this case’, after interrogating Andrew on the witness stand.

Philadelphia is loaded with raw emotions and Jonathan Demme employs close ups so none of them are missed. The concern on Miguel’s face when he takes care of his boyfriend. The panic in Miller’s eyes once he realises, he has just shaken hands with a man who has AIDS. The deterioration of Andrew Beckett’s mental and physical state. These heavy emotions are all seen in earnest.

Demme also uses space well in the film. Beckett sits almost two table lengths away from Wyant, Wheeler, Hellerman, Tetlow and Brown, when they tell him boldly that he is still ‘family’ despite no longer having a place in their firm.

Miller and Beckett have to work to prove the conspiracy of the Beckett’s former employer to fire him not only because he had AIDS but also because he is gay. The audience know this for certain from early on. Too early on. More intensity could have been built for the audience by not knowing the true culpability of Beckett’s former employers, following the trial almost like the jury, seeing who truly had the best case. Waiting until the pressure of the trial or the guilt became too much for the corporate law firm before they acknowledge their wrongdoing, could’ve added another layer to the film.  

No one in Philadelphia feels guilty admitting their homophobia however, not even Miller. The defendants consistently blame Beckett and all gay men alike for inflicting AIDS upon themselves. Days into the trial Miller still uses derogatory phrases towards gay people. At that time for Miller regardless of his plaintiff’s sexual orientation, he was just doing his job. Eventually, similarly, to Conine, Miller could no longer do just that and needed to acknowledge they are talking about a man's livelihood. A man who is dying in front of them. After seeing the deteriorating mind and body of his co-council Miller gains more concern and empathy. Maybe not for all gay men but for Andrew and his loving family.

To answer the initial question of who’s the better between Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, from my limited knowledge, I choose Hanks. He has put his body through a lot in multiple roles. In Philadelphia, Beckett becomes visibly frailer as his body fights against the AIDS virus, while he struggles to maintain his upbeat demeanour. Hanks lost 26 lbs for the role which he won the Best Actor Academy Award in 1994. This is the complete opposite to Cast Away (2000) for which Hanks put on 23kg and grew out his beard. Cast Away too was nominated for Academy Awards.

With over a hundred films between them and counting, the debate over who is the better actor is definitely not over.