Review of Pride (2014) by Googolendtimes — 13 Nov 2014

A fresh and inspired take on the miner's strike and LGBT rights movement, both of which were prominent issues of the 1980s, Pride takes an unlikely true story and weaves it something quite wonderful. It's a feel-good film that is genuinely heartwarming and tender but without cloyingly sentimentality.

It's an excellent showcase of how friendship, understanding, empathy and solidarity between the unlikeliest of allies can accomplish great things, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. To boot, it's a genuinely funny film and boasts a phenomenal ensemble: Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, Andrew Scott (especially Andrew Scott), Jessica Gunning and Dominic West are standout performers in what stands as one of the finest casts of any film in recent memory.

Its pop culture touches, particularly the soundtrack, help to create a wonderful sense of time and place. Ultimately, Pride is not to be missed. Its deft mix of humour and drama allow it to handle its subject matter in a way that is neither didactic nor heavy-handed, but never undercuts its pathos, triumphant spirit and importance as its themes - such as LGBT oppression, mistreatment of the working class - are still painstakingly relevant to modern times, particularly in Britain.