Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) is a senior associate at a law firm in Philadelphia. He is a hardworking, intelligent and very likable person and his future at the firm is very bright and promising.
When Beckett becomes terribly sick and began exhibiting the symptoms of HIV/AIDS, his partners at the law firm fired him without any apparent reason and deprived him of his entitlements.
Beckett decides to sue the firm and sought the help of a personal injury lawyer Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) who is homophobic and has a fear of HIV positive people. Miller agrees to stand for him in court.
Together they begin an attempt to fight for justice while at the same time attempting to break down public prejudices and discrimination towards homosexuals and those living with AIDS.
