It’s always interesting to watch an older movie and then go back and read how people reacted at the time and put it in context. This is especially true for movies that broke ground in the way movies are made and especially those that kick open the doors on societal taboos.

After watching “Philadelphia” last night, and living as we do in the context of 2010, I was curious to see what the response was in 1993 when the movie was made. The story is credited as being one of the first to openly discuss not only AIDS, but also homosexuality.

To anyone who has seen “Milk,” for which Sean Penn won a best actor Oscar, it is striking how tamely “Philadelphia” portrays the interactions of its gay characters. Granted, much of the film takes place in places like a courtroom and a hospital and doesn’t delve into the behind the scenes relationships that told much of Harvey Milk’s story. But even in moments of affection, I can’t recall anything more than a kiss on the forehead.

Being 10 years old at the time, I didn’t exactly have my hand on the pulse of American culture in 1993. Thanks to the Internet and a review from Roger Ebert, the film is put in the context of that contemporary reality.

In closing his review, Ebert writes: “Sooner or later, Hollywood had to address one of the most important subjects of our time, and with “Philadelphia” the ice has been broken. In a year or two, it will be time for another film to consider the subject more unblinkingly. This is a righteous first step.”

It is in steps–sometimes very small–that cultural awareness becomes acceptance. Ebert cites the 1967 film “Look Who’s Coming to Dinner” as one of those groundbreaking works, a story he says is the first major film about an interracial romance. We are a long way from 1967, but the issue of whom others think it is acceptable for you to love is still very much a challenge for our society.

In 2005, I was certainly old enough to remember no real backlash over “Guess Who,” a remake of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (except of course those who hated Ashton Kutcher for many other reasons). At last year’s Oscars, Milk was nominated for best picture (Philadelphia was not nominated, though Tom Hanks won best actor).

Progress, yes. But I wonder what they’ll be saying about us in 2025.