Release
Date: March 23, 2007 Studio: Lionsgate Director: Sunu Gonera
Screenwriter: Mike Gozzard, K. Michael Smith Starring: Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Tom Arnold, Regine Nehy,
Kevin Phillips Genre:
Drama, Sports MPAA Rating: PG (for thematic material, language including some racial
epithets, and violence) Official Website:
Pridefilm.com
Plot Summary: Based on the true story of
inner city Philadelphia swim coach Jim Ellis. The story revolves around Ellis'
fight to build a swim team in one of Philly's toughest neighborhoods in the
1970s. Ultimately, Ellis leads the swimmers to the state championships
EN 5 Second Review:
We love sports movies, but competitive swimming is
getting very near the bottom of the barrel.
I
would have liked more detail, but where the director, Sunu Gonera, is
shrewd is in parsing, from every angle, the emotions of the title. Owen Glieberman: Entertainment
Weekly Pride doesn't have much surprise, but it's a formula
picture of genuine feeling, with Terrence Howard proving once again that
he wouldn't know how to keep it less than real...more
It's
Hoosiers in a swimming pool—well, Glory Road,
anyway, given this is about a group of black swimmers
competing against all-white teams Robert Wilonsky: Village Voice
The feature debut from South African director Sunu Gonera is
straight from the sports-film playbook, the one in
which an underdog team coached by an obstinate overachiever
overcomes obstacles and adversity to take home the gold....more
Terrence
Howard dives into the role of real life swimming teacher Jim
Ellis and completely owns the role. Joshua Tyler: CinemaBlend.com Ellis’s story isn’t flashy,
it’s not exciting, but the film does manage to convey what
it is about him that’s so inspiring. Pride made me
admire Jim Ellis and everything he’s done for his community....more
Rocky
Balboa and Daniel-san steered away from the sport for
good reason Phil Villareal: Arizona Daily Star
The lackluster underdog swimming drama drowns the audience
in clichés. The film is "inspired by a true story," which is
usually Hollywoodese for "stretches reality beyond all
recognition...more
I
would have liked more detail, but where the director, Sunu Gonera, is
shrewd is in parsing, from every angle, the emotions of the title.
