+ Best English movie of the Year
+ Best LGBT Movie of the Year
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| The infectiously happy poster for Matthew Warchus' Pride |
Pride is the second feature by English director Matthew Warchus (Simpatico (1999)), written by Stephen Beresford (That Thing You Drew (2010, short), actor).
In the mid 1980s England, the miners' strike drags on week by week, weakening the economical life in all the affected villages, as a gay rights group from London begins to collect funds for the miners, contributing to a fundamental change in the traditional country.
At the heart of Pride is a story truly worth telling, about people coming together and fighting for the common better. A humanistic tale that celebrates unionizing, human rights and solidarity. - Only the most regressive conformist could watch Pride and not enjoy it. - Human spirit and life simply sputters from it in all directions.
I got the feel from the film that the people behind it were taking extra care to get it right, because it is an important and real story that deserves the best handling. There were several roads available with the story, but Warchus and Beresford have chosen an uplifting, often funny and several times moving portrait, which doesn't neglect to show the issues and problems, but which fundamentally has chosen the high road, letting us enjoy and celebrate the inspirational story and the pride in a highly festive manner. For that I am grateful. - Pride was a party to watch, as I think it rightly should be.
The solidity of the ensemble makes the film transcend and gain a fullness that is simply wonderful:
Ben Schnetzer (The Book Thief (2013)) is luminous as the group's fireball leader; George McKay (How I Live Now (2013)) has a rare youthfulness to him that inspires his performance as struggling Bromley; Paddy Considine (Child 44 (2015)) plays Dai with a strong sense of integrity; Freddie Fox (The Riot Club (2014)) looks stunning as the group's blond bombshell, and Jessica Gunning (Law & Order: UK (2009-14)) is amazing as Sian, whose life changed as a result of the strike and alliance with the gay community.
Aside from all of these promising actors are some established star performances that sweeps you away: Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)) as the indignant community leader; Bill Nighy (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)) has a great part that he puts a delightful performance into, and finally Dominic West (The Wire (2002-08)) is wonderful as the group's veteran, and his dancing scene nearly halfway into the film is a reason to see it in itself! Plus Russell Tovey (Looking (2014-15)) has a fine cameo in Pride.
Tat Radcliffe ('71 (2014)) has shot the film beautifully in widescreen and not a shot is off. Pride is also bolstered by lots of great period music hits.
It is the perfect movie to watch to celebrate the recent court ruling in the US, which makes marriage equality a fact in all 50 states.
- Don't miss it!
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| Who knew that Dominic West could dance like a dream? In one of the best scenes in Matthew Warchus' Pride |
Watch the trailer for the film here
Cost: Unknown
Box office: 14.7 mil. $
= Uncertainty
[Pride premiered in Cannes, where it won the Queer Palm award and a standing ovation. It has won several other awards, nominations and has made 3.2 mil. £ in its native UK. Without its budget in public, it is impossible to say whether the film is a hit or a flop.]
What do you think of Pride?
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