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Pride (2007) DVD Review
Pride (2007) DVD Credits:
Pride (2007) Directed by:
Sunu Gonera
Pride (2007) Written by:
Mike Gozzard, K. Michael Smith
Pride (2007) Cast:
Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Tom Arnold, Regine Nehy, Kevin Phillips
Pride (2007) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Pride (2007) DVD Release Date:
25th June 2007
Our Rating: Extras Rating:

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Pride (2007) Synopsis:

Based on the true story of inner city Philadelphia swim coach Jim Ellis. The story revolves around Ellis' fight to build a swim team in one of Philly's toughest neighborhoods in the 1970s. Ultimately, Ellis leads the swimmers to the state championships.

Pride (2007) DVD Review:

When Jim was younger he was on swim team as well, but it was during the 60s and the one meet we see him able to compete in ends horribly and nearly very violently because of his determination to refuse to allow anyone tell him he doesn’t belong in the water. This same determination survives in Jim ten years later, with the added wisdom of age that allows him to be quiet and respectful without losing his pride. This attitude is what brings him to Philadelphia to try and teach swimming at a prestigious college run by a pompous ass (Tom Arnold). When it becomes clear that Jim has no chance at teaching he takes a job clearing out a recreational center in a rough neighborhood. The center is a local hangout for drug deals and basketball games outside, but once the rims are taken off of the hoops the kids have nothing to do and are eager to explore the pool which Jim discovered while cleaning the building. Before long Jim and the grumpy caretaker (Bernie Mac) are convinced that the best chance at keeping the center open for the underprivileged kids is by showing everyone that they can be taken seriously enough to start a swim team.

Although the racial tension and issues are far more discreet and less threatening 10 years after Jim’s difficulties swimming with racist white swimmers, there are still issues to be faced each time they show up to prove themselves. Matters aren’t improved when the kids don’t take it seriously and make a complete fool out of themselves at their first meet. After that they become determined and work hard at it in order to succeed. However inspirationally predictable this may seem it is easily forgivable when watching these actors play the situations out. Often these films are forced and predictable because of it. Since all of the actors in this film are so committed it makes the film much more believable and certainly never dull enough to look forward and try and predict anything. Terence Howard gives yet another wonderful, convincing, and heart-wrenching role as a man struggling with his past.

It is Howard’s performance which mostly carries the film, easily able to attract the most attention even when speaking the lowest and saying the least. Just in the way he carries himself it is immediately impossible not to hope the best for Jim. He embodies the name of the film in how he carries himself throughout the film, indeed to honor the true events which the film is based on. The DVD includes a director’s commentary Sunu Gonera as well as deleted scenes and a few music montages. It is a sad collection of special features although the commentary is valuable to those who want to know more about the true story.

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Pride (2007) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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