I'm watching Philadelphia right now. When the movie came out, a long time ago (it seems), it made a big, big impact on me. I think it was set up to make a big impact, but now, when I watch it, I think it partly failed. I think it failed because all I really remember now is the music from the movie. In fact, I still really like the song at the end of the movie, by Neil Young. I can't think of what it's called, but I love the song. I think it's beautiful.
I suppose, at the time, the movie was revolutionary because it put this issue of AIDS and homosexuality, really, right into the mainstream. When America's hero, Tom Hanks, (and let me tell you, I am NOT a Tom Hanks fan), plays a gay man with AIDS, well, you have to expect that America is going to sit up and listen. But now, and I may be wrong, since I'm not quite in the know, but now it seems that so much focus has moved away from HIV/AIDS education. I'm worried that we look at it as this big problem that doesn't affect America anymore. And it's true, the problems in Asia and Africa are monumental, and need attention, immediate attention. But I happen to think that the way American drug companies sickeningly try to make a profit off the pain and suffering of people who so badly need drugs, I happen to think it makes us, as Americans, culpable. I am 100% in favor of making those drugs available generically, and as soon as possible, to countries in crisis right now.
But if we don't keep teaching Americans how to avoid contracting HIV, our numbers are going to pop right back up to where they were before education seemed to win the battle. But we can't teach sex education anymore, just abstinence education, and so things get worse, and worse, and we'll end up where we started.
We're so callous, Americans. We think nothing will ever happen to us. How wrong we are continually proved to be.
Update: It still makes me cry. A lot. The Neil Young song (which is actually called "Philadelphia") and the wake/funeral. It's very sad. And I'm a movie cryer.
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