The film Philadelphia portrays the struggles and eventual death of Tom Hanks' character, Andrew Beckett, as he battles AIDS. According to the textbook, “Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which destroys the body's immune system” (Santrock, 2009). Andrew faces problems not only with contracting AIDS, but also with society's ignorance about disability. Instances of prejudice and discrimination can be seen throughout the film, but they are overcome in the end. Two opposing lawyers must unite to fight injustice, and through the process their friendship grows deeper than either could have ever imagined. Andrew is a middle-aged white male who works for the largest law firm in Philadelphia. She lives with her partner, Miguel, in a studio apartment in the city. Developmental tasks for middle adulthood include maintaining marriage, managing family, managing career, and parenting. Andrew was very busy with his work and didn't have much time for a social life. You can see examples of Erikson's developmental stages for this age period, generativity versus stagnation. A sense of generativity is felt when a person in adulthood focuses on producing something valuable for future generations and contributing to society. In contrast, stagnation involves being self-centered and lacking interest in helping society. Andrew was determined to seek justice for all his clients at the law firm. It seemed like he had achieved a sense of creativity because he was making a change in Philadelphia. The most significant way in which AIDS affected Andrew's development was the impact on his life expectancy. A person currently infected with HIV/AIDS...... focus of the paper......., Cherry, C., & Kalichman, MO (2011). Integrated behavioral intervention to improve HIV/AIDS treatment adherence and reduce HIV transmission. American Journal of Public Health, 101(3), Retrieved March 9, 2011, from http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/hww/results/external_link_maincontentframe.jhtml?_DARGS=/hww/results/results_common. jhtml.44Maslin, J., (1993, December 22). Philadelphia; Tom Hanks as an AIDS victim who fights the establishment. [review of the film Philadelphia]. The New York Times. Retrieved March 9, 2011, from http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE1DC163CF931A15751C1A965958260Demme, J., Saxon, E. (producers), Demme, J. (director). December 24, 1993. Philadelphia[film]. United States: TriStar Pictures.Santrock, J.W. (2009). Development across the lifespan (12th ed.). New York: McGraw-HillCompanies, Inc.