Directed By: Matthew Warchus Starring: Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Paddy Considine, Ben Schnetzer, and George MacKay
I don't normally talk about LGBT rights, but it's been an eventful week on the gay marriage front. I am not a proponent of homosexuality. However, I am a proponent of people having the free will to do whatever they believe as long as it does no harm to others. The Supreme Court I typically love to hate surprised me and, for all intents and purposes, legalized same sex marriage in a number of states. Now, gay marriage is lawful in the majority of states in the union. It's such a fitting week for the film Pride to arrive in theaters. As history unfolds this week, it's important to remember all the history that's led to moments like this, whether here in America or across the pond.
Led by Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer), several British gay and lesbian activists have come to the conclusion that they're not fighting the good fight alone. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Like these LGBT activists, the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, and they're clashing with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her police force. With this in mind, Mark and his fellow gay rights advocates decide to become proponents of the mineworkers' cause. They begin to raise money for the union, so much so that the union must take notice. Soon, several union members — Cliff (Bill Nighy), Hefina (Imelda Staunton), and Dai (Paddy Considine) — are inviting the gays and lesbians to the lodge so that they can get acquainted with the mineworkers they're supporting. It all sounds lovely, but there are those within the union who harbor prejudices and intend to act upon them.
Pride is a cute, charming little film. Harkening back to the 1980s, enlightening moviegoers with a piece of British history, and bringing with it plenty of humor from across the pond, Pride is a surprisingly soulful film bursting with energy and a zest for life. Matthew Warchus nimbly directs this vibrant comedy-drama and blends humor and drama together quite well to give viewers a history lesson. The one drawback to this feel-good movie would be that it doesn't have the depth to make it the knockout film it could be. Sure, there's a glossy fun message about tolerance and embracing one's fellow man, but it all largely plays out with stereotypes about gays and lesbians in the air. I doubt many old heterosexual women with homosexual friends arrive at festivities asking where there lesbians are.
As it stands, the key to making Pride so entertaining is the multitude of colorful personalities it boasts thanks to an impressive cast. We've got fun performances from folks like Dominic West and Jessica Gunning who, with all their energy, seem to be the life of the party. With Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton on hand, we've got acting veterans who know how to deliver both comedic and poignant acting that helps to elevate the film when things get more serious. George MacKay also gives an intriguing performance as he grapples with the notion of coming out to his parents and the rest of his family.
Pride gets a strong 0.06% rating. Have a few pints of ale with this charming British indie flick.
