Thinking about Philadelphia

I thought for the most part the film was about aking a national problem of stigmatizaation and putting a micrscopic lense on the issue.I think this is seen a lot in the beginning of the film. I noticed that the early scenes were of  the life of the people of this city,the murals depicting some history of America, the Liberty Bell and the flags of many nations. I thought it was a little like saying this is who we were as Americans before and look at us now.Lokking at the history of America and looking at present Philadelphia, which  in many respects represents other cities across the nation.The characters in many ways if not totally, represent American citizens.The problems that the main characters face are not isolated in this city alone and I think the title of this film too is a part of an artistic attempt to try and bring stigamtization into a narrow lense while trying to include every American in its message.Trying to talk about a general problem by telling a  very specific story.

When  Joe Miller started yelling out the derogatory words associated with homosexuality, I started to laugh. At the same time I wanted to root him on.This scene could have brought out a feeling of anger but I think that it's different for everyone.Few words are associated with just one thing, one emotion, or effect.For me it was a moment of reflection and familiarity. Some of these words are words we've heard before and worse yet are the type of words we may think or say to each other. I thought it was not only a dramatic scence but one that gave the film an element of honesty.