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Pride (2007 Film) Information

Pride is a 2007 biopic drama feature 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, and was directed by Sunu Gonera.

Pride is a film that depicts African-Americans succeeding in a sport — swimming — that is still largely dominated by whites. This differed from most other African-American films with sport themes as they usually feature sports where African-Americans have progressed into the mainstream, such as basketball (such as Coach Carter) and football (such as Gridiron Gang, Remember the Titans). Pride differed from this theme by bringing attention to the often overlooked world of African-American swimmers.

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

Contents

Plot

It is 1974 and life is not easy for a black male, even a college-educated one like Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard), to find employment. Struggling to find anything better, Jim, a former competitive swimmer, accepts the job of dismantling the decrepit Marcus Foster Recreation Center operated by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. The center includes a dilapidated swimming pool, which Ellis rehabilitates. Ellis' presence and activities causes 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 public swimming pool by starting the city's first all African-American swim team. When the team also acquires Willie (Regine Nehy), a female swimmer more gifted than any of the boys, the prospects of competing against much more experienced rival white teams begin to seem more positive. Jim also develops a romantic interest in a beautiful city councilor (Kimberly Elise), Hakim's sister and guardian. Throughout their struggles, in or out of the swimming pool, Jim and Elston embrace and mentor the kids, helping them become successful at swimming and struggle against prejudice, crime, and poverty.

In the Kevin Hart movie "Laugh At My Pain", Kevin Hart said that when he was little he used to swim at the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, and he said that the movie "Pride" was talking about it.

Cast

Reception

Critical response

Pride was met with mixed reviews. with a 45% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 108 reviews.[2] Some critics criticized the use of the word "nigger" in the film's opening scene where Jim is confronted by a racist predominantly white college that objects to his presence in the water of their pool and refuses to swim with him because they say he is "dirty."[3] The film also has a visibly upsetting scene where Jim is pinned to the floor under the boot of a white policeman. Although these words and images may be difficult for some viewers (explaining the film's PG rather than G rating), they were included with the intent to illustrate the severity of the racism faced by young black swimmers growing up in the segregated 1960s. The film was not successful at the box office.

Notes

  1. ^ "Pride (2007)". Box Office Mojo. http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pdr.htm. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  2. ^ "Pride". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pride/. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  3. ^ http://www.imdiversity.com/villages/african/arts_culture_media/kam_pride0607.asp

External links

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