Pride (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'Pride' (a feel-good dramedy directed by Matthew Warchus) doesn't exactly re-invent the wheel, but it provides a joyous experience that will remind many of Britain's The Full Monty, Billy Elliot, Kinky Boots, & Calendar Girls; they all share the same uplifting spirit. In March of '84, U.K.'s National Union of Mineworkers went on strike to protest Margaret Thatcher's {ugh} plans to shut down 20 some coal mines. This film follows the inspiring (mostly) true story of how the down-&-out coal miners of rural South Wales found allies in an unlikely group -- young, pioneering gay-rights activists from London. The day of the annual Pride Parade, shy, semi-closeted Joe (George Mackay) reluctantly decides to march & ends up hanging out with said group of activists at a gay bookstore. Leader of the group, Mark (Ben Schnetzer), fervently believes that the gay & lesbian community should support the mineworkers by raising $$ to donate to a mining town.
He calls their newly formed group "Lesbian & Gays Support the Miners" ... but their efforts are rejected over & over again (people yelling slurs, spitting at them). In an effort to help, Welsh bookstore owner Gethin (Andrew Scott) recommends that they try a random town in South Wales and, the LGSM are finally able to convince one of these little villages ... the mining community of Onllym. The town (of the rolling hills/no town square variety) sends union committee officer Dai (Paddy Considine) to London to collect the $$ raised by their new friends, & he then invites the LGSM to visit his town; causing conflict among several factions of the townsfolk, but eventually leading to a mutual alliance which benefits both groups. Melodrama, singing, dancing, tragedy, & redemption ensues.
There's something oddly magical about feel-good British flicks that celebrate the underdog, & 'Pride' is a touching addition to that genre. Director Matthew Warchus & his screenwriter have captured the heart & humor of what happened when these urban activists didn't just raise $$, but also formed a real connection with the unlikeliest of allies, the predictably closed-minded inhabitants from a teeny tiny mining town (think of all the gruff men, the conservative mousy wives). The questions & concerns that the older generation of Onllym citizens pose, are kinda adorable; like when a grandmotherly woman asks young lesbians if it's true that they are all vegetarians, or when an inquisitive straight man from the town asks flamboyant Jonathan (Dominic West) if he'll teach him how to dance {to impress the ladies, haha}. That sounds trite, but it comes off quite endearingly. The older townsfolk (led WONDERFULLY by Imelda Staunton & Bill Nighy) eventually help their young counterparts as well, showing them that friendship & loyalty should be unconditional. Together, against all odds, they can make a difference.
The multi-generational cast is excellent, with Ben Schnetzer (who lent such a warm presence as Max in The Book Thief) & George Mackay as standouts among the up-&-coming british actors. Schnetzer, in particular, gives a gutsy performance as the lead campaigner who initiated the union of gays & miners. Dominic West plays witty queen, Jonathan, with great relish. As the gay bookstore owner who returns to Wales after being banished by his unsupportive mother, Andrew Scott affected me quite a bit; it's all in his eyes. I also loved Jessica Gunning as a portly young wife in the village who stands up to the authorities with gusto. Bill Nighy plays against type; quietly stealing scenes as an elder townsman who's guarding a secret. And Imelda Staunton is great as the sage, fun-loving Hefina; everything that came out of her mouth was GOLD. All of these actors - aided by the warm script & emotional music - got me to tear up several times.
'Pride' contains serious subject matter (prejudices, violence, injustice, death), but the director balances that seriousness with light humor, rousing music & general goodwill. Having said that, the reason why I really enjoyed this film, but wouldn't call it exceptional, is because the story doesn't dig too deeply into the reasons behind the strike, nor with the AIDS crisis. Furthermore, though I was intrigued by all the bold, brave characters in the story, the narrative should have really focused on a few LESS of them. Towards the end of the film, the proceedings get bogged down with too many things happening to a few too many characters & they all don't get their just due. Still, despite my little issues with it, 'Pride' is a charming, life affirming story of friendship, staying true to yourself, & standing together in solidarity. It also shows that there's strength in numbers, & stresses that joining a cause ... can change your life.
He calls their newly formed group "Lesbian & Gays Support the Miners" ... but their efforts are rejected over & over again (people yelling slurs, spitting at them). In an effort to help, Welsh bookstore owner Gethin (Andrew Scott) recommends that they try a random town in South Wales and, the LGSM are finally able to convince one of these little villages ... the mining community of Onllym. The town (of the rolling hills/no town square variety) sends union committee officer Dai (Paddy Considine) to London to collect the $$ raised by their new friends, & he then invites the LGSM to visit his town; causing conflict among several factions of the townsfolk, but eventually leading to a mutual alliance which benefits both groups. Melodrama, singing, dancing, tragedy, & redemption ensues.
There's something oddly magical about feel-good British flicks that celebrate the underdog, & 'Pride' is a touching addition to that genre. Director Matthew Warchus & his screenwriter have captured the heart & humor of what happened when these urban activists didn't just raise $$, but also formed a real connection with the unlikeliest of allies, the predictably closed-minded inhabitants from a teeny tiny mining town (think of all the gruff men, the conservative mousy wives). The questions & concerns that the older generation of Onllym citizens pose, are kinda adorable; like when a grandmotherly woman asks young lesbians if it's true that they are all vegetarians, or when an inquisitive straight man from the town asks flamboyant Jonathan (Dominic West) if he'll teach him how to dance {to impress the ladies, haha}. That sounds trite, but it comes off quite endearingly. The older townsfolk (led WONDERFULLY by Imelda Staunton & Bill Nighy) eventually help their young counterparts as well, showing them that friendship & loyalty should be unconditional. Together, against all odds, they can make a difference.
The multi-generational cast is excellent, with Ben Schnetzer (who lent such a warm presence as Max in The Book Thief) & George Mackay as standouts among the up-&-coming british actors. Schnetzer, in particular, gives a gutsy performance as the lead campaigner who initiated the union of gays & miners. Dominic West plays witty queen, Jonathan, with great relish. As the gay bookstore owner who returns to Wales after being banished by his unsupportive mother, Andrew Scott affected me quite a bit; it's all in his eyes. I also loved Jessica Gunning as a portly young wife in the village who stands up to the authorities with gusto. Bill Nighy plays against type; quietly stealing scenes as an elder townsman who's guarding a secret. And Imelda Staunton is great as the sage, fun-loving Hefina; everything that came out of her mouth was GOLD. All of these actors - aided by the warm script & emotional music - got me to tear up several times.
'Pride' contains serious subject matter (prejudices, violence, injustice, death), but the director balances that seriousness with light humor, rousing music & general goodwill. Having said that, the reason why I really enjoyed this film, but wouldn't call it exceptional, is because the story doesn't dig too deeply into the reasons behind the strike, nor with the AIDS crisis. Furthermore, though I was intrigued by all the bold, brave characters in the story, the narrative should have really focused on a few LESS of them. Towards the end of the film, the proceedings get bogged down with too many things happening to a few too many characters & they all don't get their just due. Still, despite my little issues with it, 'Pride' is a charming, life affirming story of friendship, staying true to yourself, & standing together in solidarity. It also shows that there's strength in numbers, & stresses that joining a cause ... can change your life.