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Movies / On DVD / Pride
Pride

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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.

Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins

Genre: Dramas

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

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
04/23/09
Tom Meek
Tom Meek
Boston Phoenix

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.

Full Review Source: The Scorecard Review | comment Comment
03/03/08
Jeff Bayer
Jeff Bayer
The Scorecard Review

Feel-good swimming flick takes on racism.

Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
10/31/07
Sandie Angulo Chen
Sandie Angulo Chen
Common Sense Media

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

Full Review Source: Murphy's Movie Reviews | comment Comment
07/14/07
Ted Murphy
Ted Murphy
Murphy's Movie Reviews

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

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

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
07/09/07
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

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

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
07/02/07
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

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

Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
06/25/07
Stax
Stax
IGN Movies

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.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
06/19/07
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

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

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
04/05/07
Keith Phipps
Keith Phipps
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.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
04/01/07
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
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.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Insiders | comment Comment
03/31/07
Jonathan W. Hickman
Jonathan W. Hickman
Entertainment Insiders

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.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/31/07
Josh Rosenblatt
Josh Rosenblatt
Austin Chronicle

This is an inspirational movie that really touches the heart.

Full Review Source: 3BlackChicks Review | comment Comment
03/31/07
Kamal  'The Diva' Larsuel
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel
3BlackChicks Review

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”?

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
03/28/07
Brent Simon
Brent Simon
FilmStew.com

I have seen Pride now too many times without actually seeing it.

Full Review Source: Mark Reviews Movies | comment Comment
03/26/07
Mark Dujsik
Mark Dujsik
Mark Reviews Movies

Swimming isn't exactly the most cinematic of sports and unfortunately the script gets waterlogged well before the big finale.

Full Review Source: Maxim | comment Comment
03/26/07
Pete Hammond
Pete Hammond
Maxim

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

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
03/26/07
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper

Been there done that.

Full Review Source: Greenwich Village Gazette | comment Comment
03/26/07
Eric Lurio
Eric Lurio
Greenwich Village Gazette

Well-intentioned, at best, regrettably, this fairly formulaic, Philly sports flick doesn't show enough brotherly love for anyone to be proud of it.

Full Review Source: AALBC.com | comment Comment
03/25/07
Kam Williams
Kam Williams
AALBC.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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