Pride (2007 film)

Pride is a 2007 American biographical film released by Lionsgate Entertainment on March 23, 2007. Loosely based upon the true story of Philadelphia swim coach James "Jim" Ellis, Pride stars Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, and Kimberly Elise. The film was directed by Sunu Gonera.

Pride
One-sheet theatrical poster for Pride
Directed bySunu Gonera
Produced byBrett Forbes
Paul Hall
Patrick Rizzotti
Adam Rosenfelt
John Sacchi
Terrence Howard
Screenplay byKevin Michael Smith
Michael Gozzard
J. Mills Goodloe
Story byKevin Michael Smith
Michael Gozzard
StarringTerrence Howard
Bernie Mac
Kimberly Elise
Tom Arnold
Music byAaron Zigman
CinematographyMatthew F. Leonetti
Edited byBilly Fox
Production
company
Lionsgate
Cinerenta
Element Films
Fortress Features
LIFT Productions
Paul Hall Productions
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • March 23, 2007 (2007-03-23)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$7.1 million[1]

The film centers on Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) and grouchy but caring janitor Elston (Bernie Mac). The two have a short-lived rivalry before becoming good friends.

Plot

It is 1974 and life is not easy for a black male to find employment, even college-educated Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard). While struggling to find anything better, Jim, a former competitive swimmer, is working on the decrepit Marcus Foster Recreation Center operated by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. The center includes a dilapidated swimming pool, which Ellis rehabilitates. Ellis's presence and activities cause friction with a bitter, overprotective janitor named Elston (Bernie Mac). One day, Jim invites a group of black teens who have just been thrown off the basketball court in the Center's yard in for a swim. Andre (Kevin Phillips), Hakim (Nate Parker), Reggie (Evan Ross), Puddin’ Head (Brandon Fobbs), and Walt (Alphonso McAuley) prove to be fairly capable swimmers and with a few pointers, could become great swimmers. 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 P.D.R. team (Pride, Determination, Resilience). When the team acquires Willie (Regine Nehy), a female swimmer more talented than any of the boys, the prospects of competing against much more experienced white teams begin to improve. Jim also develops a romantic interest in a beautiful city councilor (Kimberly Elise), Hakim's sister and guardian. 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

Reception

Critical response

Pride was met with mixed reviews from critics, with a 45% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 109 reviews, with an average score of 5.47/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Pride features a typically stellar performance from Terrence Howard, but ultimately falls victim to its over usage of sports movie clichés."[2] The New York Times critic Matt Zoller Seitz noted that the movie "illustrates the adaptability and limitations of the sports movie," but concluded that when the film's idealists glide through the water amidst the tunes of the time, "the heart still leaps."[3] Comedian Bill Burr spoofed and criticized the film as an example of the overabundance of films about white-on-black racism with continuously lower stakes.[4]

Accolades
Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result
2008 ESPY Awards Best Sports Movie Pride Nominated
Image Awards Outstanding Performance In a Motion Picture Terrence Howard Nominated
MovieGuide Awards Best Film For Mature Audiences Michael Gozzard Won
Rome Film Fest Consiglio dei Bambini Prize Suna Gonera Won

Notes
  1. "Pride (2007)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  2. "Pride". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  3. Seitz, Matt Zoller (2007-03-22). "Making Waves in a Tough Community". The New York Times.
  4. Video on YouTube
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