Pride (2014)

Absolutely the worst movie.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

PRIDE is one of those films which makes you realize that the cinema as an art form can still be highly political without sacrificing other qualities such as story, plot, and characterization.In terms of subject-matter it resembles Mark Harmon's BRASSED OFF (1996), as it tells of the effect of the miners' strike of 1985-6 on a local community threatened with pit closures. In the earlier film the subject centered on a brass band; in PRIDE director Matthew Warchus looks at the ways in which a South Welsh community reacts to the help offered them by a London-based group Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.The initial reaction might be to recall Matt Lucas's classic running gag in the television comedy LITTLE Britain, where he played Dafydd Thomas, "the only gay in the village." Perhaps, predictably the Welsh villagers resent the group's presence among them - especially the aggressively masculine miners who feel that gays somehow threaten their status as opinion-formers. Yet such opinions soon change, due in no small part to the efforts of the wives, led by Hefina (Imelda Staunton) and supported by closet gay Cliff (Bill Nighy). In the end everyone comes together in a show of support for the miners, even though their cause is ultimately hopeless.While the feelgood factor is obviously high, as director Matthew Warchus shows how people of different socio-economic backgrounds learn to accommodate one another in a show of solidarity, we cannot help but feel angry at what happened to the mining communities as a result of Prime Minister Thatcher's policies. Coal-mining as an industry might have been expensive to maintain, but there was really no excuse to impose such a swingeing program of pit-closures that destroyed individuals' lives. The motivation was entirely political: the Conservative government wanted to extinguish the power of the trade unions, especially the National Union of Mineworkers led by Arthur Scargill, and were prepared to go to any lengths to achieve their aims. By doing so they helped to create the social and regional inequalities that persist in contemporary British society.In hindsight films such as PRIDE show how pointless such policies actually were. The only real result was to deprive working people of their livelihoods and destroy long-established communities. And that is not really much of a legacy for any government.

one of the films who could be a necessary challenge. for discover the past in real colors, for joy to discover a smart mixture of drama and British humor, for the meeting with a remarkable cast, for the inspired illustration of ideals, for status of seductive story who is best choice for birth of emotion and for a serious slice of smile. almost a trip, it is only a film about solidarity. in the right manner, ignoring taboos, using an old episode from union's struggles for remind values and courageous choices.a beautiful film. surprising for the gift to be precise lesson about the other, realistic and full of a special form of optimism. all in the fine British package.

The British film "Pride" is based on the true story of U.K. gay activists' work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984. It was a story that I had not heard of before. Director Matthew Warchus' was sure to bring some inspirational elements of the film on how two opposite polar groups can work together for civil rights and fair labor. But Warchus' was sure to implore us with the aforementioned concept a few too times to many; as worthy as the concept is. I am a big fan of 80's New Wave Retro music, so I was very proud of "Pride" to include some U.K. New Wave classics. The ensemble acting was commendable but not sensational; which included Ben Schnetzner as U.K. gay activist leader Mark, Dominic West as the flamboyant Jonathan, and Imelda Stanton as a Miner Committee Member. "Pride" is not the biggest pride film piece from the 2014 movie year, but it has enough activist gravitas to give it a shout. *** Average

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning In 1984, the gay rights movement is in full swing, and Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer) is a young homosexual who believes the answer is to join forces with another group of people fighting for their rights a bit further from home, in the shape of the striking miners. His plan is to send money from their struggle, to help them in theirs, but Mark hasn't contested the homophobic attitudes held by many miners that would see them throw his money back in his face. But he is persistent, and gradually they come to form an alliance together, while closet gay Joe (George Mackay) battles with his own demons.Very few battles, in the real world, are ever won on their own, by one great, powerful, almighty force. Hell, the only reason I'm not writing this review in German at the moment is because England was helped to win the war by America and Russia. A struggle to overcome terrifying odds is one thing, and battle is an important word when considering this dilemma, but one word is even more important and realistic when put into context: solidarity. That is the thing that ultimately secures victory, hopefully for the right people, in the real world, when people from different backgrounds are united together in one common cause. Pride, if nothing else, deserves some recognition for being one of the few films I know of that highlights this important truth, without trying to make one person or group of people the top dogs.Set at the beginning of the 1980s, when social attitudes were challenged and changing like no other, to the left and the right, it highlights an important turning point in modern culture, and brings an inspiring and engaging story to the screen. That said, sometimes the tone of the film and the style of the content feels more suited to the stage than the screen. It feels like something adapted from a musical, especially during some of the 'dancing' sequences, although it doesn't seem it actually was. Director Matthew Warchus doesn't always keep the narrative flow going in the smoothest or most coherent of directions, and so despite having an interesting sub-plot and numerous subplots on offer, sadly it sometimes loses its way.That said, a mostly young cast do a fine job of keeping the aspidistra flying, with support from older hands such as Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton on hand to keep everything in perspective. Despite not being perfect, its still inspiring, interesting, and mostly fun to watch. ***