Review of Pride (2014) by Harry W — 11 Nov 2014

With a lot of critical praise surrounding it, Pride sounded like a delightful romp.

I didn't expect what I got from Pride, and I loved it. Like a lot of films about homosexuals standing up in the face of adversity, Pride is an inspiring film. But the difference between Pride and films like Milk, Pride is easily inspiring and energetic in the best possible manner. Its story is pretty simple and so it paves the way for its limitations by adding in a natural touch of comedy, and while it can only go so far since its story tries to be about the larger scale of things as well as its characters while succeeding predominantly at the latter, it succeeds as a touching, uplifting and hilarious film.

Pride does have some problems in trying to focus on its characters and the larger scale of events. When it focuses on its characters, there are so many for it to follow that it never really consistently sticks to on, and it spends so much time focused on that which results in the scale being temporarily brought down. When it gets back to the larger scale of things, that is when the spirit of the film truly begins to shine.

Pride tells an excellent story that I was unfamiliar with prior to seeing the film. It chronicles the LGSM (Lesbians and Gays Support the Minors) on their quest to stand up for the British Miners' Strike of 1984. It is a tale about an oppressed community not just standing up for their own cause, but using their passion to help out others who have been oppressed by people in power for so long. The connection between these two is excellent, and it projects an even more positive look of the LGBT community due to showing how even in times of oppression they stood together and helped out other communities. In terms of its themes, Pride examines the sexuality of these people and how it was reflected in 1980's British society with brutal honesty, yet with a lighthearted nature which makes the experience easier, more enjoyable and less prone to falling into melodramatic territory. The way that the people stood up is inspiring, and the tone of the film is always appropriately uplifting even when it has moments of serious drama. The tone of the film and its spirit remains consistent, and the humour all falls into place easily. Thanks to a brilliant script which is fool of sensible British slang, Pride feels like the real film that it intends to be. It also puts a lot of great emphasis into the humour of homosexuality in the context where it crosses paths with the elderly community. There is much humour in the way that the older crowds in Onllwyn interact with the homosexuals and Lesbians of the LGSM community, particularly in the way the older women embrace the community in such a warm and hilarious way. The contrast between their personas and engagement of cultures is where a large source of the humour in the film comes into play while a lot of emphasis is put on the hilarious stereotypical elements of the community in general. Pride is full of hilarious material and a well-crafted script helps to give the film that edge as well as a lot of strong characters to assist it all in progressing. So Pride is both a hilarious film and a powerfully inspiring one which tells its story with plenty of energetic charm to keep it consistently entertaining.

And to keep in tune with the fabulous charm of the LGTB community, Pride comes off as a very stylish film. The scenery of the film is beautiful and the production design is great in establishing the time frame of the film and giving it a sense of vibrant colour which is all there. It is captured with strong cinematography as well which keeps things on the appropriate scale on a consistent basis. The soundtrack for the film is also fabulous, and the collection of costumes for the characters really does a fine job illuminating the energetic passion of fashion in the gay pride community which gives the film a lot of colour. The spirit of the film is in its humour, its story, the way it looks and the way it sounds. It is everywhere in the film, and so enjoying it is too easy to do.

And the cast of the film do their part as well. Every actor contributes to the film in some way or another, and a few of them stick out.

Ben Schnetzer is the standout in Pride. In the part fo Mark Ashton, he plays the leader of LGSM, and his passion in the part is undeniable. He captures the perfect flamboyant demeanour for the role in a manner which is clear without being over the top, and he puts more focus into the determination of the character to ensure that his people succeed in helping out their brothers and sisters who are suffering in the mining community. He is great because he is thoroughly engaging in the part and remains emotionally involved the entire time with a spirit which is just too admirable.

George Mackay is also strong. While his character is a fictional creation, he brings a great sense of drama to the story as it begins to develop. As he gets involved with the LGBT community, we get to see more of who he is as he comes to terms with his own identity. And when the story challenges him to be really dramatic, he comes out shining spectacularly well. George Mackay develops his character strongly over the course of Pride, and so he makes a compelling effort in his role without any doubt.

Imelda Staunton is perfect. While I will always have her immortalized in my mind as the evil Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter films, in Pride she is just hilarious. She provides such a compelling and likable character to the story and brings a true sense of support to the entire movement which strengthens it as a whole. Not just that, but she is funny the entire time because whenever the situation demands any humour, she brings it and does it so organically. Imelda Staunton brings a hilarious persona to Pride so easily that it is just unforgettable.

Lastly, Bill Nighy is a welcome presence. While he has his funny moments in Pride, the importance of his role in the film is predicated mostly on what he does with the dramatic material. Easily enough, he blitzes it and nothing less. Bill Nighy stands seriously strong in his part in Pride and remains likable throughout the story while developing the strength of his dramatic abilities the entire time without any shortcomings. Bill Nighy does his part in the film really greatly, and he has some really skilful moments of interaction with the surrounding cast.

So Pride is simple film with a great story, plenty of humour, a lot of inspirational spirit and a wonderful cast which overlooks its minor story flaws.