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Pride (2007)

tomatometer

45

Average Rating: 5.5/10
Reviews Counted: 108
Fresh: 49 | Rotten: 59

Pride features a typically stellar performance from Terrence Howard, but ultimately falls victim to its over usage of sports movie clichés.

46

Average Rating: 5.5/10
Critic Reviews: 35
Fresh: 16 | Rotten: 19

Pride features a typically stellar performance from Terrence Howard, but ultimately falls victim to its over usage of sports movie clichés.

audience

73

liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 102,421

My Rating

Movie Info

A college-educated African-American schoolteacher frustrated by his inability to find a job repairs an abandoned recreational pool hall in hopes of starting Philadelphia's first African-American swim team in this inspirational drama that takes its cue from the true-life story of charismatic 1970s-era schoolteacher Jim Ellis. The year is 1973 and the job market is tight. Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) may have a college diploma, but despite his education he still can't seem to find a job. An

PG, 1 hr. 48 min.

Drama

Michael Gozzard, Kevin Michael Smith

Jun 26, 2007

$7.0M

Lionsgate

Cast

All Critics (111) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (50) | Rotten (62) | DVD (6)

Director Sunu Gonera does a nice job with the swim meet scenes, and the cast of mostly unknown younger actors is extremely likable.

March 26, 2007 Comment
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Pride is a fairly predictable entry in the highly predictable inspirational sports drama genre. But the movie is saved by the earnest, believable performance of Terrence Howard and by Bernie Mac in a more serious role than usual.

March 23, 2007 Full Review Source: USA Today | Comment
USA Today
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It really has nothing to be proud of but a central performance much better than the movie itself deserves. It's time for Terrence Howard to appear in a movie that rises to his level.

March 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Toronto Star | Comment
Toronto Star
Top Critic IconTop Critic

That Pride ultimately gets to you is more of a surprise than the outcome because it's not very well-constructed.

March 23, 2007 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | Comment
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Despite the stale odor of the broth, lack of originality isn't Pride's stumbling point -- it's that the familiar story is not well presented.

March 23, 2007 Full Review Source: ReelViews | Comment
ReelViews
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A generic against-the-odds underdog sports drama.

March 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | Comment
Philadelphia Inquirer
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It's another kinda, sorta based on a true story, inspirational sports film in the vein of any given Bruckheimer sports film.

April 25, 2011 Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | Comment
ComingSoon.net

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.

March 3, 2008 Full Review Source: The Scorecard Review | Comment
The Scorecard Review

Feel-good swimming flick takes on racism.

October 31, 2007 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

Whether intentionally or not, the supplement section of Lionsgate's DVD release actually shows how much more effective this film could have been.

August 19, 2007 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | Comment
TheMovieReport.com

Howard anchors the film with a charismatic turn. He doesn't turn Ellis into a plaster saint but portrays a complex and complicated man.

July 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Murphy's Movie Reviews | Comment
Murphy's Movie Reviews

The DVD provides a nice-looking widescreen version of the film (2.35:1 aspect ratio).

July 9, 2007 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment
Apollo Guide

A movie that deserves to succeed, but falls just short because it shows us much more than it teaches us.

July 9, 2007 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment
Apollo Guide

...undone by its reliance on exceedingly conventional elements.

July 2, 2007 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | Comment
Reel Film Reviews

Despite its shortcomings, Pride proves to be an effective feel-good sports drama.

June 25, 2007 Full Review Source: IGN Movies | Comment
IGN Movies

Though well-intentioned, unfolds in fairly formulaic fashion for a sports flick, with Terrence Howard turning in one of his typically captivating performances as the charismatic coach.

June 22, 2007 Full Review Source: Mount Desert Islander | Comment
Mount Desert Islander

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.

June 19, 2007 Comment
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

The plot plays out as predictably as anyone might expect, but the fine details keep Pride squarely above average.

April 5, 2007 Full Review Source: AV Club | Comment
AV Club

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.

April 1, 2007 Full Review Source: PopMatters | Comment
PopMatters

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.

March 31, 2007 Full Review Source: Entertainment Insiders | Comment
Entertainment Insiders

This is an inspirational movie that really touches the heart.

March 31, 2007 Full Review Source: 3BlackChicks Review | Comment
3BlackChicks Review

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.

March 31, 2007 Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | Comment
Austin Chronicle
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Pride

I really like Terrence Howard, and this movie was pretty good. Despite being super-sweet (to the point of saccharine), and being emotionally heavy-handed, I still had tears well in my eyes from time to time. While not overtly racist, this film was subtly racist. In the entire film there was only one positive white

April 17, 2011
itsjustme2004

Super Reviewer

I really liked this film alot. It's simple, very formulaic, but it is also very touching. Terrence Howard gives a very good performance. I'd recommend this film to anyone.

March 4, 2011
jamers2011
Jameson Worley

Super Reviewer

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Foreign Titles

  • Pride (2007) (DE)
  • Pride (2007) (UK)
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