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At the Champlain Centre, WHY: 5 Philadelphia has been trumpeted as the first Hollywood film to deal openly dnd honestly with AIDS, which it never does. - AIDS#ingers in'the ravaging one of the lead characters, but never does the film truly explore what AIDS is doing to him, to his family, to his friends. This film is not about AIDS, it is about discrimination, which when the topic of AIDS arises is always in the air. If 'you can accept and understand that Philadelphia is about discrimination, and that you will not come away with a greater "undepstanding of AIDS, you will enjoy the film, perhaps even admire it. To begin with, I was surprised that director Jonathan Demme, a genuine original, pulls so many punches in dealing with AIDS and homosexuality. This is the director of The Silence Of The Lambs, a brilliant thriller that pulled no punches in dealing with serial killers, homosexuality, and violence towards women. You have to wonder why a director of Demme's enormous talents would pussyfoot around such a topical issue (controversial to be sure) when' he has met all other chall This actor gives an astounding, breathtaking formance as a young lawyer his job because he has 5 While he sties the firm he worked for, the disease takes a hold of him and slowly, before our eyes, destroys him. Hanks has often been thought of as a light comic actor capable of very light drama, but in Philadelphia he meets the challenge without flinching. His is a remarkable performance because it is so vividly realistic, so heartbreaking, and so very, very tragic. | This is not a sick pervert, but a man who happens to be a J; who has a longti companion, a high' paying job, and a disease that'is going to oly but viciously destroy his Ay ks allows us tofeehfor this character without ever resorting to tear jerking theatrics, giving us an honest superb performance that will likely wifi him an Academy Award. The, crux. of the story, as I have mentioned is not AIDS but discrimination, and 'this is covered in two clever ways. First of all, the Hanks character is fired because it is learned he has AIDS, and secondly, * when, Hanks hires a homophobic lawyer, portrayed by Denzel Washington, to defend him. Through Washington's eyes we see the agony the disease is ing the character, but more head on. - " 'Was he afraid of the reaction his film might have received? Was he afraid audiences would not accept a gay hero? Perhaps he under-estimates = the intelligence of today's audiences, who have grown past colour and certainly past sexual preference. Bo, if I am so miffed at the film, why did I give it three stare? * Tom Hanks importantly, we see the humiliation with Which he is treated. Here in 1994, homosexuals th AIDS are still being treated as lepers, which I think is pathetic and sad. : Then again, ignorance has always been pathetic, the cruelty ' that exists through that is sad. To think there are still minds out. there who think homosexuals are evil, sick perverts without a soul asad comment on society. 1 have known men and women who are gay, they are fine people. They keep to themselves, and keep their preference Within their circle, which is something I respect them for. Who am I to agree or disagree Yong nd choice? Who is a nit? » There are more important. things going on jn the world than to worry about whether a person is gay or not. Read the papers, read what is happening in 8t. Catherines where a married couple is accused of doing unspeakable , and in England where two little boys murdered a toddler. Believe me there are more important things *for 'this generation to concern, themselves with. Philadelphia will awaken you td what you think of & homosexul, but it will not give one to you answers about either that or AIDS. Even the vilest of ophobics (or red- d-niecks). will i by the p of being the first film dealing with AIDS, because it really isn't and really doesn't. True discrimination is an ugly, Hanks, p ng that AIDS is a Ti in for anyone to die. : When will Hollywood come to understand that that we can , take it! § The tender dance scene between Hanks and his lover is down played because we cannot yet deal with that, as are any intimate moments between them. If the film makers want us to accept the gay lawyer as a loving human being, perhaps they should have the courage to show him as one. Not that this affects the Hanks _ performance, but I.could not help "thinking that Philadelphia was a "good movie that always should have been a great one. Maybe the producers should not have made so much noise about his idly growing ulcer of AIDS, but is that w wanted to make a nfovie about? All the signals go in other directions, you have to wonder. For g business and industry so populated with gays, and HIV positive gays why is Hollywood , 80 afraid of making a film about AIDS? Not even Barbra Strelsand; a fine director with a great deal of power' can get funding to film The Normal Heart, one one of the best plays written on the subject. - Are they homophoBft jn Hollywqod as well? Or just plain scared? After thought, yes, the_ songs from Bruce Springsteen & Neil Young where composed specifically for this film. Delta Fitness has opened a new Aerobics and Step moming and evening classes are available for both men fitness centre was officially opened recently by Scugog the ribbon at left Is Instructor Kim McCann and at right Kelly Bennett. At left in photo Is Perry Paviakous of Delta Fitness, John Hillopoulos, and directors Egle KOPP: Bill Dowson and Rick McCoshen. For Information on classes call Delta Fitness Full Range of Accounting Services available lo Owner-Managed Busingsses, FORDER - PARKS INSURANCE BROKERS INC. 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