PRIDE - FILM REVIEW (Home Release)

P R I D E

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dir: Matthew Warcus

★★★★★

FILM | Kyle Pedley

A BRIT HIT WITH A LOT OF HEART AND PLENTY TO BE PROUD OF...

One could hardly say the social turbulence of Thatcherite Britain has been somehow under-represented on Film, particularly when it comes to her most didactic naysayers - the mining communities. And from Billy Elliot to Brassed Off and The Full Monty, the plight of the pit folk has cemented itself as an unlikely yet understandably effective backdrop for the kind of spirited, ‘we’re-all-in-this-together’ feel-good Brit flick that clearly serves as a tentpole for Matthew Warchus’ Pride.

In Pride’s favour and uniqueness, however, is it being based on actual history rather than a fictional implementation of it, and a particularly inspirational slice in the form of 80’s activist group L.G.S.M (that’s ‘Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners’). In the heart of London, gay social idealists Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer) and Mike Jackson (Joseph Gilgun) spot common ground and empathy in the persecution and woes facing the mining community across Britain as Thatcher’s radical reforms and the ensuing strikes take hold. Enjoying a ‘temporary reprieve’ from the usual prejudice and police beatings (the miners having taken their place as public enemy number one), L.G.S.M is born and an unlikely marriage of two starkly different communities begins.

From a humble start collecting on the streets of London, L.G.S.M’s journey eventually take them into the heart of a struggling Welsh mining community, winning over the locals (mostly) and even organising their very own ‘pits and perverts’ support concert as their selfless work forges new friendships and, without agenda, begins down a path of acceptance and awareness that will come to have historic repercussions.

"a beautiful, heartwarming tale, amplified by its reality...

executed with a refreshing lightness of touch and positively

radiates an infectious sense of warmth and joy"

It’s a beautiful, heartwarming tale, amplified by its reality, and particular credit must go to Warchus and screenwriter Stephen Beresford for not losing sight of character and heart amidst all the potential propoganda. In fact, considering the sheer amount of issues political, social and indeed personal touched upon, from the aforementioned miners strike through to AID’s, discrimination and ‘coming out’ rejection, Pride is executed with a refreshing lightness of touch and positively radiates an infectious sense of warmth and joy, yet with an undeniable emotional clout to ensure things aren’t too breezy or inconsequential. It navigates the historical events depicted with clarity and organic ease (including the insertion of a very welcome fictional audience surrogate in the form of George Mackay's young gay photographer Joe), whilst still juggling a number of key characters and subplots without any feeling shoe-horned in or perfunctory.

Relative newcomer Schnetzer puts in an impressive, grounding performance as Ashton, shedding his native New York accent in favour of a wholly convincing Northern Irish tang, whilst Sherlock star Andrew Scott is tender and nuanced as shy, formerly closeted Gethin, finally returning to Wales and facing some old demons after religion at home saw shot of him. The residents of mining community Onllwyn, meanwhile, are a hearty, lovable bunch, particularly Jessica Gunning’s Sian, notwithstanding, of course, a suitably detestable Monica Dolan as the town’s resident bigot and harridan. Bill Nighy steals scenes with effortless ease as mumbling, elderly committee man Cliff, a big heart in subdued form, whilst Imelda Staunton and Menna Trussler are brilliant, hilarious and adorable throughout. Any film which features a 78 year old woman jumping out the back of a van asking ‘where are my lesbians!?’ and Imelda Staunton in hysterics at her discovery of a sex toy and gay adult magazine clearly wears its funny on both its heart and sleeve.

"Any film which features a 78 year old woman jumping out

the back of a van asking 'where are my lesbians!?'... clearly

wears its funny on both its heart and sleeve."

Pride is undeniably and irrepressibly celebratory, and by some measure one of the most irrepressibly feel-good films of the past year. It isn’t exactly anything new within the field of gay cinema, having echoes of films which have come before it, particularly Gus Van Sant’s Milk in some of its socio-political structuring and message, but this is no bad thing. And whilst from a technical standpoint Warchus’ direction isn’t particularly audacious or inventive, it is straight-forward and accessible, draws out a slew of fantastic performances, and as mentioned navigates an at-times almost dizzying number of threads in a completely satisfying and enjoyable whole. It’s a film about people, common ground and above all, solidarity, wrapped up in one of the year’s most unexpected delights; an all-rounder that is very funny, regularly moving and an altogether extremely entertaining movie. All involved should indeed take tremendous pride in helping fashion what is one of the surprise cinema highlights of the year.

MUSINGS

+ Affirming, heart-warming real-life story

+ Brilliant ensemble cast, superb across-the-board

+ Schnetzer, Staunton, Nighy and Trussler particularly memorable

+ Tackles a wealth of issues with confidence and clout

+ Positively bursting with feel-good and joy

- Soundtrack/score a little overbearing in places

Release Date: Friday 12 September 2014

Run Time: 120 minutes

Format: Theatrical Release

Official Website: www.pridemovie.co.uk

#review #ticker #5star #new