Pride(2007 film)
Pride | |
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![]() One-sheet theatrical poster forPride | |
Directed by | Sunu Gonera |
Screenplay by | Kevin Michael Smith Michael Gozzard J. Mills Goodloe |
Story by | Kevin Michael Smith Michael Gozzard |
Produced by | Brett Forbes Paul Hall Patrick Rizzotti Adam Rosenfelt John Sacchi Terrence Howard |
Starring | Terrence Howard Bernie Mac Kimberly Elise Tom Arnold |
Cinematography | Matthew F. Leonetti |
Edited by | Billy Fox |
Music by | Aaron Zigman |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Lionsgate |
Release date |
|
Running time | 104 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $7.1 million[1] |
Prideis a 2007 Americanbiographical filmreleased byLionsgate Entertainmenton March 23, 2007. Loosely based upon the true story ofPhiladelphiaswim coachJames "Jim" Ellis,[2]PridestarsTerrence Howard,Bernie Mac,andKimberly Elise.The film was directed by Sunu Gonera.
The film centers onJim Ellis(Terrence Howard) and grouchy but caring janitor Elston (Bernie Mac). The two have a short-lived rivalry before becoming good friends.
Plot[edit]
In 1974, college-educatedJim Ellisis having a hard time finding employment. While struggling to find something better, Jim, a former competitive swimmer, works at the decrepitMarcus FosterRecreation Center in a poor neighborhood of Philadelphia. His job is to prepare the foreclosure of the Center, causing friction with Elston, the janitor whose job may disappear. The Center includes a dilapidated swimming pool, which Ellis rehabilitates. One day, Jim invites a group of black teens in for a swim. Andre, Hakim, Reggie, Puddin’ Head, and Walt prove to be fairly capable swimmers and with a few pointers, could become great swimmers. In parallel, Jim develops a romantic interest in Sue, Hakim's sister and guardian who wants Hakim to attend school before pool.
With some help from Elston, Jim decides to try to save the swimming pool by starting the city's first all African-American swim team, the "PDR team" for both "Pride, Determination, Resilience" and "Philadelphia Department of Recreation." Once they are joined by Willie, a female swimmer more talented than any of the boys, the prospects of competing against much more experienced white teams begin to improve. However, Black swimmers are not welcome everywhere and the team has to fight overtly racist opposition and treachery, which is what Jim already experienced when he was competing 10 years ago. Throughout their struggles in and out of the swimming pool, Jim and Elston encourage and mentor the kids, helping them not only to become successful at swimming but also in their struggles against prejudice, crime, and poverty.
Cast[edit]
- Terrence Howardas Jim Ellis
- Bernie Macas Elston Johnson
- Kimberly Eliseas Sue Carter
- Evan Rossas Reggie Jones
- Tom Arnoldas Richard Binkowski
- Alphonso McAuleyas Walt Taylor
- Regine Nehy as Willie Thompson
- Scott Eastwoodas Jake
- Nate Parkeras Hakim Carter
- Kevin Phillipsas Andre Williamson
- Gary Sturgisas Franklin
- Brandon Fobbsas Puddin' Head
- Jim Ellis,in a cameo, as the man who takes the basketball rim down
- Bianca Markiein a cameo, as the woman who puts the basketball rim back up
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
Pridewas met with mixed reviews from critics, with a 47% approval rating onRotten Tomatoesbased on 111 reviews, with an average score of 5.50/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Pridefeatures a typically stellar performance from Terrence Howard, but ultimately falls victim to its over usage ofsports movieclichés. "[3]OnMetacritic,the film has a score of 55 based on 27 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[4]
The New York TimescriticMatt Zoller Seitznoted that the film "illustrates the adaptability and limitations of the sports movie," but concluded that when the film's "sinewy young idealists glide through water to the tune of 'I'll Take You There,' the heart still leaps. "[5]
In hisstand-upshows, comedianBill Burrhas spoofed the film, calling it as an example of the overabundance of films about white-on-blackracismwith continuously lower stakes.[6][7]
Accolades[edit]
Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Refs. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | ESPY Awards | Best Sports Movie | Pride | Nominated | [8] |
Rome Film Fest | Consiglio dei Bambini Prize | Sunu Gonera | Won | [9] | |
2008 | Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture | Terrence Howard | Nominated | [10] |
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture | Sunu Gonera | Nominated | |||
MovieGuide Awards | Best Film For Mature Audiences | Michael Gozzard | Won | [11] |
Notes[edit]
- ^"Pride (2007)".Box Office Mojo.RetrievedJuly 11,2011.
- ^Greenleese, Nancy (March 29, 2007)."The Teacher Behind the Movie 'Pride'".NPR.org.RetrievedNovember 17,2022.
- ^"Pride".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedMay 25,2020.
- ^"Pride".Metacritic.RetrievedFebruary 12,2023.
- ^Seitz, Matt Zoller (March 22, 2007)."Making Waves in a Tough Community".The New York Times.
- ^Bill Burr-PrideonYouTube
- ^Hiltbrand, David (November 9, 2013)."Bill Burr, daring to be funny".Philadelphia Inquirer.Archivedfrom the original on February 12, 2023.
- ^"Get Out The Vote for Swimmers Nominated for ESPY Awards".Swimming World Magazine.June 26, 2007.RetrievedFebruary 12,2023.
- ^"Alice in the City School prizes from Rome Film Fest".filmfestivals.October 26, 2007.RetrievedFebruary 12,2023.
- ^"The 39th NAACP Image Award Nominations".Variety.January 8, 2008.RetrievedFebruary 12,2023.
- ^Kalembe, Isaac (August 14, 2015)."Gozzard to grace 2015 film festival".The Observer - Uganda.RetrievedFebruary 12,2023.
External links[edit]
- 2007 films
- 2000s buddy drama films
- 2000s coming-of-age drama films
- 2000s teen drama films
- 2000s sports drama films
- African-American films
- American buddy drama films
- American coming-of-age drama films
- American sports drama films
- American teen drama films
- Films scored by Aaron Zigman
- Films set in the 1970s
- Films set in 1974
- Films set in Philadelphia
- Films shot in New Orleans
- Lionsgate films
- Drama films based on actual events
- Sports films based on actual events
- Swimming films
- African-American biographical dramas
- Biographical films about sportspeople
- Biographical films about educators
- Films about racism in the United States
- Cultural depictions of swimmers
- 2007 directorial debut films
- 2007 drama films
- 2000s English-language films
- 2000s American films
- English-language biographical drama films