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.
Comment
03/03/08
Pride (2007)
46 %
Reviews Counted: 103 Fresh: 47 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
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 one of Philadelphia's roughest neighborhoods. Directed by Sunu Gonera, this life-affirming... [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Kimberly Elise, Tom Arnold, Scott Reeves
Director: Sunu Gonera
Screenwriter: Michael Gozzard, Kevin Michael Smith
Producer: Paul Hall, Brett Forbes, Michael Ohoven
Composer: Aaron Zigman
Screenwriter: Michael Gozzard, Kevin Michael Smith
Producer: Paul Hall, Brett Forbes, Michael Ohoven
Composer: Aaron Zigman
Reviews
Howard anchors the film with a charismatic turn. He doesn't turn Ellis into a plaster saint but portrays a complex and complicated man.
07/14/07
A movie that deserves to succeed, but falls just short because it shows us much more than it teaches us.
07/09/07
Despite its shortcomings, Pride proves to be an effective feel-good sports drama.
06/25/07
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.
06/19/07
The plot plays out as predictably as anyone might expect, but the fine details keep Pride squarely above average.
04/05/07
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.
04/01/07
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.
03/31/07
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.
03/31/07
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”?
03/28/07
Swimming isn't exactly the most cinematic of sports and unfortunately the script gets waterlogged well before the big finale.
03/26/07
Director Sunu Gonera does a nice job with the swim meet scenes, and the cast of mostly unknown younger actors is extremely likable.
03/26/07
Well-intentioned, at best, regrettably, this fairly formulaic, Philly sports flick doesn't show enough brotherly love for anyone to be proud of it.
03/25/07
Sure it's predictable, but its virtues include its originality of theme (how often do we see films of African-American swim teens?) and a sharp performance by Terrence Howard
03/25/07
This surprisingly entertaining movie defies its formulaic plot and delivers a well-executed tale of team spirit.
03/25/07
Related Forums
(2007)-Sunu Gonera's PRIDE starring Terrence Howard to open nationwide on March 23rd!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/4/07
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/4/07
(2007)-Sunu Gonera's PRIDE starring Terrence Howard to open nationwide on March 23rd!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/4/07
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/4/07
(2007)-Sunu Gonera's PRIDE starring Terrence Howard to open nationwide on March 23rd!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/4/07
by: REEL_REVIEWER 4/4/07
Pictures
Videos
Trailer
Watch Now >>
Watch Now >>
News
Box Office Guru Preview: Madea Takes On Dr. Seuss
posted by Gitesh Pandya March 20, 2008
March Madness hits the North American box office as three new releases hit the multiplexes hoping to take down the...
posted by Gitesh Pandya March 20, 2008
March Madness hits the North American box office as three new releases hit the multiplexes hoping to take down the...
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Ninja Turtles Unseat Spartans For #1 Spot
posted by Gitesh Pandya March 26, 2007
A crowded box office saw six new films shove their way into the multiplexes this weekend, but it was the Warner Bros....
posted by Gitesh Pandya March 26, 2007
A crowded box office saw six new films shove their way into the multiplexes this weekend, but it was the Warner Bros....
Box Office Guru Preview: Six New Films Try to Shoot Down Spartans From #1 Spot
posted by Gitesh Pandya March 22, 2007
A half-dozen new soldiers enter the marketplace this weekend trying to topple the kingdom of "300" which...
posted by Gitesh Pandya March 22, 2007
A half-dozen new soldiers enter the marketplace this weekend trying to topple the kingdom of "300" which...
Critical Consensus: "TMNT" Gets Shredded; "Mimzy" Is Mixed; "Shooter" Misses; "Reign" Shines; "Pride" Sinks; Guess "Hills" Tomatometer!
posted by Tim Ryan March 22, 2007
This week at the movies we've got turtle power ("TMNT"), whimsy ("The Last Mimzy," starring...
posted by Tim Ryan March 22, 2007
This week at the movies we've got turtle power ("TMNT"), whimsy ("The Last Mimzy," starring...
IGN RSS Feeds