Through The Rear Window: Movie Review ... Pride

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Movie Review ... Pride

‘The Full Monty’ has a lot to answer for. Charting a group of British working-class gents stripping off in defiant solidarity, it spawned a slew of imitators. ‘Brassed Off’, ‘Billy Elliot’ and others have used the recipe to great success. The characters struggle under the effects of Conservative government rule gave them qualities with which viewers could relate. ‘Pride’ takes up this baton with ease. Using a slice of history to tell its tale, it is a familiar but fun exploration of community spirit.

Affected by a huge miners’ strike during 1984 miners’ families struggled. Seeing this hardship were a gay and lesbian group determined to help including Jonathan (Dominic West) and Gethin (Andrew Scott). Forming an alliance with a mining village whose inhabitants include Cliff (Bill Nighy) and Hefina (Imelda Staunton), both sides fought for equality for all persuasions.

Filled with clichés and overt sentimentality, ‘Pride’ usually would be best forgotten. Whilst the overly earnest script occasionally grates, the heart is in the right place. Achieving good results are the multi-layered characters and the evocation of a recent era. Homosexuals and miners were persecuted with a vengeance in 80’s Britain, with mutual demonization forging common ground. Although prejudices were found from either side, they learnt to mutually understand their respective viewpoints.

Matthew Warchus weaves some insightful threads within the formulaic screenplay. Whilst occasionally this formula gets in the way of the story based on true events, it has enough authenticity to maintain interest. ‘Pride’ is a little too long to be totally engaging as it meanders towards a predictable conclusion, even if it highlights issues pertinent to today. In some ways ‘Pride’ adds a wistfulness during viewing as it reflects a time when people readily questioned authority and agitated for change. The constant resolve to stand by beliefs is well realised with both sides portrayed with astute sympathy.

Whilst ‘Pride’ follows a very familiar pattern, it provides an interesting snapshot. A lesson it teaches is to never just accept enforced hardship. In this respect it has a relevancy to the current generation to have respect for themselves and fight for a dignity for which ‘Pride’s’ characters continually fought.