Review of Pride (2014) by Philip P — 04 Jan 2015

Pride is one of those films you don't expect too much from going in because there has been little to no buzz around it and therefore you have little to no expectations for it. I sat down not knowing what exactly the film was even about other than it was based on a true story dealing with gay rights.

More specifically, Pride concerns itself with the 1984 trials of a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists who raise money to support the National Union of Mineworkers who are on strike. The two groups discover that standing together makes for a stronger union for both their causes and generally serves as an inspiring tale all around.

What makes the film so rousing and fun while telling an inherently dramatic story is that of the characters and the genuine way in which they interact with one another. From Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton to Paddy Considine and Dominic West with a cast of exuberant youths in between including Ben Schnetzer, George MacKay and a star-making performance from Jessica Gunning Pride knows where its charm lies and it utilizes that quality to ensure the viewers feel its points.

Maybe it was that lack of expectation that made this a more emotionally stirring experience than I expected, but it is also a rather exhilarating study of the human spirit and the kind of, well, pride that comes along with seeing differences set aside for the greater cause.

Either that or maybe it's simply because director Matthew Warchus and first time screenwriter Stephen Beresford gauged just the right tone with which to capture this story and allowed their actors to flourish-creating not only a winning film in terms of being entertaining and informative, but a rather moving and intimate portrait of a little-known story that still feels more than relevant today.