'Pride' is Predictable But Powerful
By Keith Boykin, in movies
Saturday, March 24 2007, 12:30PM
I can't remember the last time I saw a movie that left me with so many mixed emotions, but PRIDE is one such movie. Set in 1974, the film tells the story of a former high school swimmer who decides to take a group of inner city basketball players and turn them into competitive swimmers. When the city decides to close the dilapidated Marcus Foster Recreation Center in Philadelphia, the young black men who play basketball become the first victims once the basketball rim is taken down. Then Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) invites the kids inside the rec center to swim. Some of them flail around at first, but they're all talented athletes who eventually learn under the stewardship of their new coach.
The story is simple but the movie itself is uneven. The first 30 to 45 minutes of the film were filled with predictable story lines, familiar ghetto stereotypes and completely lifeless dialogue. About the only thing to appreciate during this part of the movie is the ubiquitous eye candy. The guys on the swim team (particularly Nate Parker and Kevin L. Phillips) are all hot in their own way. But at some point in the middle of the movie, it starts to work, and the end result is a beautiful and uplifting story of triumph that every inner city kid in America should see.
If you've seen any black movie from the 1970s, the characters in this period piece will come across as familiar hybrids from the celluloid past. There's the corner pimp and drug dealer (Gary Anthony Sturgis), the lazy city maintenance man (played by Bernie Mac), and the city councilwoman (Kimberly Elise) who wants to shut down the facility. They provide the initial conflict for the Hollywood angle of the story.
But the real story is about the five young men and one young woman (Regine Nehy) who learn to believe in themselves through the discipline and teamwork of swimming. When the team goes up against a wealthy white prep school, the black kids act up out of their own insecurity. But that's when the coach warns them to get serious about their lives and to stop getting in the way of their own potential. That's a powerful message that many of us -- young and old -- need to hear.
One of the best things about Pride is that the kids don't fit into the current contemporary hoodlum stereotype of black youth. This was America when teenage kids went outside the house to play and didn't sit inside playing video games all day. And this was black America before rap music and hip hop turned us all into wannabe thugs. The ragtag group of street corner basketball players in Pride are fun-loving kids who know their age and their boundaries. Imagine the "Fat Albert" kids if they all hit the gym and played basketball. In fact, one of the unlikely heroes is a slight young stuttering kid (Evan Ross) who helps out in a surprising way.
I hear lots of black moviegoers constantly (and appropriately) complaining about the lack of positive stories about black people. But if you want to see more positive movies, then you should probably support the films like this one so Hollywood will get the message.
I have to be honest. I did not like the first half of this movie at all. But I absolutely loved the second half of the film. If you go see it, please keep an open mind as the story unfolds. I think you will enjoy it in the end.
As for me, I laughed, I cried, and I left the theater feeling inspired.
Comments conceal
MarkofReason
March 24 2007, 8:56PM
I'm sorry Kieth...but when you are telling a movie about the 1960's..(the beginning of the movie) about racism; or the 1970's how could it not be predictable? When you are telling a true story; you can't draw up fiction-all you can do is tell the story. What made the movie so great and awesome is the fact that so many people..on so many different levels connected to the movie. In my humble opinion it was a great movie from "top to bottom". Have a good one!
bubba
March 25 2007, 1:01PM
I suddenly have an aversion to all things Terence Howard. His latest concession to the great "sin" of homosexuality is that he cheated on his wife, so who is he to judge others who also fall short of the divine plan? Maybe this flick will be good on cable next year.
pilgrimtraveller
March 25 2007, 2:18PM
I realize Terrence Howard how dome little to affirm us as SGL members of society. However, any chance I get to see him in a sppedo Im gonna take it!
Im sorry I have a weakness for light-skinned men.
Still active, still a crusader for just and worthy causes amongst our community.But that body just speaks to me in ways that supercede his viewpoints.
Tyler
March 25 2007, 5:32PM
Ugh, we don't have to support every movie with black people in it. What is smart is if we support the films that are truly interesting and thoughtful about us. Like Kasi Lemmons' films or a good Spike Lee joint. Turning out for every docudrama with eye candy isn't new. It doesnt' tell Hollywood anything they don't already know - that we support anything that is simple and challenges nothing.
Luke
March 25 2007, 9:50PM
I thought that it was an OK movie, not Oscar worthy or anything like that, but, a simple positive real life story that needed to be told, and it shattered that silly stereotype that black people can't swim, LOL! I liked the part that it was before "rap crap" ruined young black America into that thug mentality. I don't see why what Terrence says should makes someone not want to view any of his works, he said what almost any black person "raised in the church: would say about gay folks, and I for one can respect him for not having the hateful venom in his voice that others seem to have, at least he realizes that he's going to have to at least try to understand us, even though he should have a easier time as he is one of those "meterosexuals" from most accounts.
Time to realize, not everybody is going to be accepting of gays, and that's just life, the same as not everyone is going to be friendly to anything black. As long as they treat me with respect, I can deal with it, go off and act a fool, then all glo
algie
March 25 2007, 11:20PM
i loved the movie from beginning to end
bubba
March 26 2007, 12:04AM
Let me break it down since you don't "see why what Terrence says should makes someone not want to view any of his works," Luke. No matter how he smiles as he says it, or leaves the "venom" at home, he has still equated a pure state of being with a moral deficiency. I don't care what he learned in his religious cult, he's been exposed to the larger society long enough to know he chose a belief that is extremely arrogant to speak on God's behalf. You're right, not everyone will accept gays. Not that I care, because a respectful disagreement is a moot point. How much respect can there be for people who are dead wrong about judging you?
A.J.
March 26 2007, 1:22AM
I'm with pilgrimtraveller: How much eye candy does Terrence Howard give us?
Luke
March 26 2007, 10:00AM
I hear where you are coming from bubba, I hear you. That said, I can't worry about it though, what he said, the majority of people in this country feel the same way. No matter what some say in polls, they usually feel the opposite in private. My point being, I prefer someone who can be up front about how they feel, this is the same way I view racist, be honest about how you feel, and I can deal with you on that level. Don't smile in my face and say you are not a bigot, and say and do something else behind my back. I just don't have the patience for those who will say something PC in a press interview, when they don't mean it.
Charles
March 26 2007, 3:32PM
I really enjoyed this movie. I cried often and hard. All people will enjoy this, but I think it's a must see for black men/boys. Sometimes we forget what we've had to endure just get this far.
justbthat
March 28 2007, 9:21PM
The message of the movie is one that speaks the the power of choices and taking responsibility for our own lives. Living beyond the “prescribed” destiny — or what you were born into, is a result of hopelessness. Jim Ellis (played by Terrance Howard) offers hope to an otherwise hopeless group of Black young people who in turn inspire an entire community.
I was a little disappointed that Kimberly Elise, who played a city representative, did not have more lines or a real chance to to shine. I know, I know, the movie was not about her but she still even in smaller roles, shows up and out. I really look forward to the day when she takes home an Oscar!
I strongly encourage you to go see Pride!
Ron Lee
March 29 2007, 10:22PM
Hay fellors I saw the movie yesterday with some screaming young white fans, you see the movie was made here in in New Orleans. And there were many local actors in the film. A swim team bought all the seats in the house and there cheerleading team was all in my ear especially during the pool scenes. It was great to see such local support during our recovery. As for the movie it was O.K. Howard did a good job,as well as, Ross and the entire swim team.I think the lead actress casting was wrong for the movie. There should have been more intimacy bewteen the coach and she. Also,that gorgeous actor that played the drug dealing thug most definitely had presents. I believe he was resently cast in "daddys'little girl" hollywood may really take a good look at him after this film. As for Mr.Terrance homophibic remarks,If you don't like gays get out of Hollywood."THEY RUN IT" PEACE OUT.
Paige
April 1 2007, 2:59PM
yalll are gay.
that movie was awesomee.
:D
nd
June 21 2007, 1:23AM
what exactly did mr howard say and where can i find the interview?
travis
June 28 2007, 9:52PM
it was too much crying, like every five minutes someone cried
J. Dakar
July 29 2007, 11:32PM
This movie is great! I am suggesting that we screen it during next year's BHM festivities.
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