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Pride (2007)
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Reviews Counted:104
Fresh:48
Rotten:56
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: Pride features a typically stellar performance from Terrence Howard, but ultimately falls victim to its over usage of sports movie clichés.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for thematic material, language including some racial epithets, and violence
Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Mar 23, 2007 Wide
Box Office: $7,036,608
Synopsis: Based on true events, Lionsgate's PRIDE tells the inspiring story of Jim Ellis, a charismatic schoolteacher in the 1970s who changed lives forever when he founded an African-American swim team in... Based on true events, Lionsgate's PRIDE tells the inspiring story of Jim Ellis, a charismatic schoolteacher in the 1970s who changed lives forever when he founded an African-American swim team in one of Philadelphia's roughest neighborhoods. Directed by Sunu Gonera, this life-affirming drama stars Academy Award ® nominee Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow, Crash, Ray), Bernie Mac (Guess Who, Oceans 12, Bad Santa) and Kimberly Elise (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Manchurian Candidate, John Q). The year is 1973, and Jim Ellis (Terence Howard), a college-educated African-American, can't find a job. Driven by his love of competitive swimming, Jim converts an abandoned recreational pool hall in a Philadelphia slum with the help of Elston (Bernie Mac), a local janitor. But when city officials mark the new Philadelphia Department of Recreation for demolition, Jim fights back – by starting the city's first African-American swim team. Recruiting troubled teens from the streets, Jim struggles to transform a motley team of novices into capable swimmers – all in time for the upcoming state championships. But as racism, violence and an unsympathetic city official threaten to tear the team apart, Jim must do everything he can to convince his swimmers that victory, both in and out of the pool, is within their reach… By turns comic, rousing and poignant, PRIDE is a triumphant story about team spirit and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. The film is produced by Paul Hall, Patrick Rizzotti and Brett Forbes. -- © Lionsgate [More]
Starring: Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Kimberly Elise, Tom Arnold
Starring: Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Kimberly Elise, Tom Arnold, Scott Reeves, Trevor Morgan
Director: Sunu Gonera
Director: Sunu Gonera
Screenwriter: Michael Gozzard, Kevin Michael Smith
Producer: Paul Hall, Brett Forbes, Michael Ohoven
Composer: Aaron Zigman
Studio: Lions Gate Films
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Reviews for Pride
Maybe because it focused on swimming, and didn't really capture the drama of the sport, it came off like a TV movie. It even borrowed from Dead Poets Society with an 'Oh Captain, My Captain' moment.
Howard anchors the film with a charismatic turn. He doesn't turn Ellis into a plaster saint but portrays a complex and complicated man.
A movie that deserves to succeed, but falls just short because it shows us much more than it teaches us.
Despite its shortcomings, Pride proves to be an effective feel-good sports drama.
Directed by Zimbabwean-born Sunu Gonera, who seems fascinated with 1970s American 'ghetto' atmosphere; he overdoses viewers on afros, hoop earrings and graffiti, which at least keeps the movie watchable.
The plot plays out as predictably as anyone might expect, but the fine details keep Pride squarely above average.
Bodies are framed and lit to be seen. In a movie where characters appear in dimly lit interiors or near light-reflecting chlorine-blue pools, this is no small thing.
While Terrence Howard is subdued in the role of Coach Ellis throughout much of the film, Bernie Mac provides a much needed lift especially early on.
Pride’s story was etched in stone ages ago by mysterious movie powers beyond our understanding, and all the Staples Singers’ songs in the world won’t keep it from its appointed rounds.
By painting in such broad strokes and playing up race-baiting that Ellis says he didn’t experience, are they not couching the movie as somehow uniquely “black”?
Swimming isn't exactly the most cinematic of sports and unfortunately the script gets waterlogged well before the big finale.
Director Sunu Gonera does a nice job with the swim meet scenes, and the cast of mostly unknown younger actors is extremely likable.
Well-intentioned, at best, regrettably, this fairly formulaic, Philly sports flick doesn't show enough brotherly love for anyone to be proud of it.
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