Pride
3.5/4
Starring: Ben Schnetzer, Joseph Gilgun, Faye Marsay, Dominic West, George McKay, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Jessica Gunning, Paddy Considine
Rated R for Language and Brief Sexual Content
Gay movies are common enough that they are their own genre, but they're mostly direct-to-DVD (and for good reason...remember "Ben & Arthur?"). Gay movies that are strong enough to get a theatrical release are rare. "Pride" (not to be confused with the 2007 sports movie starring Terrence Howard and the late Bernie Mac) is among the select few that is a gay movie of high quality.
It's 1984. Margaret Thatcher has closed down a number of mines, which has led many miners to go on strike. A young activist named Mark (Schnetzer) decides that the gays and lesbians of London should support them. He faces hostility from his fellow "gays and lezzies" ("What have the miners ever done for us?" one asks), but he is undaunted. The few who agree to help raise enough money to earn a visit from one of the townspeople (whose village they picked at random). At first, town council member Dai (Considine) is nervous, but once he gets talking with them, he realizes that they are nice people. But convincing Dai that they're not perverts is one thing. Getting a whole town to overcome their prejudices and accept the generous help is another thing entirely.
There are two problems with this film: the accents and the running time. This is a British film, and a lot of the accents are very thick. Enough of the dialogue is hard to understand that it might be better to wait and catch this on Blu Ray so you can watch it with subtitles. It's not as bad as "50 Dead Men Walking" or "My Name is Joe," but there are definitely times where I had no idea what was going on because I couldn't understand what the devil anyone was saying.
The film is also too short. Even at two hours, the film is pared down in places where it is extremely obvious. There are a few plotholes and instances of characters acting with a lack of motivation. Ten minutes or so would have helped the film seem more complete.
That said, there is enough humor and heart to warrant a trip to the theater. The acting is strong, particularly by screen neophyte Ben Schnetzer, Imelda Staunton (as a bubbly townswoman who is thrilled by the gays from the get go) and Jessica Gunning (as another energetic townswoman who stands by the gays). Special mention has to go to Dominic West, who has a dance sequence that can only be described as "standout" (remember, this is the guy who played the super sleazy Theron in "300"). His performance is perhaps a little too low-key, but he's still fun to watch.
Director Matthew Warchus has set out to create a feel-good movie, and he has done it. It's not a perfect movie, but it's fun and cheery and occasionally very funny (the scene where the little old ladies go to the gay clubs is hilarious). These days, it's all special effects, superheroes and teen angst. Here's a movie that remembers that sometimes it's the people who make the best stories.
Starring: Ben Schnetzer, Joseph Gilgun, Faye Marsay, Dominic West, George McKay, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Jessica Gunning, Paddy Considine
Rated R for Language and Brief Sexual Content
Gay movies are common enough that they are their own genre, but they're mostly direct-to-DVD (and for good reason...remember "Ben & Arthur?"). Gay movies that are strong enough to get a theatrical release are rare. "Pride" (not to be confused with the 2007 sports movie starring Terrence Howard and the late Bernie Mac) is among the select few that is a gay movie of high quality.
It's 1984. Margaret Thatcher has closed down a number of mines, which has led many miners to go on strike. A young activist named Mark (Schnetzer) decides that the gays and lesbians of London should support them. He faces hostility from his fellow "gays and lezzies" ("What have the miners ever done for us?" one asks), but he is undaunted. The few who agree to help raise enough money to earn a visit from one of the townspeople (whose village they picked at random). At first, town council member Dai (Considine) is nervous, but once he gets talking with them, he realizes that they are nice people. But convincing Dai that they're not perverts is one thing. Getting a whole town to overcome their prejudices and accept the generous help is another thing entirely.
There are two problems with this film: the accents and the running time. This is a British film, and a lot of the accents are very thick. Enough of the dialogue is hard to understand that it might be better to wait and catch this on Blu Ray so you can watch it with subtitles. It's not as bad as "50 Dead Men Walking" or "My Name is Joe," but there are definitely times where I had no idea what was going on because I couldn't understand what the devil anyone was saying.
The film is also too short. Even at two hours, the film is pared down in places where it is extremely obvious. There are a few plotholes and instances of characters acting with a lack of motivation. Ten minutes or so would have helped the film seem more complete.
That said, there is enough humor and heart to warrant a trip to the theater. The acting is strong, particularly by screen neophyte Ben Schnetzer, Imelda Staunton (as a bubbly townswoman who is thrilled by the gays from the get go) and Jessica Gunning (as another energetic townswoman who stands by the gays). Special mention has to go to Dominic West, who has a dance sequence that can only be described as "standout" (remember, this is the guy who played the super sleazy Theron in "300"). His performance is perhaps a little too low-key, but he's still fun to watch.
Director Matthew Warchus has set out to create a feel-good movie, and he has done it. It's not a perfect movie, but it's fun and cheery and occasionally very funny (the scene where the little old ladies go to the gay clubs is hilarious). These days, it's all special effects, superheroes and teen angst. Here's a movie that remembers that sometimes it's the people who make the best stories.
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