Pride (DVD, 2007, Widescreen)

It would be easy to dump "Pride" into the formula "sports underdogs become champion" genre. In fact, the plot follows the standard formula for these types of films in the classic setbacks, close calls, early humiliating loss, mean rivals, and Rocky Balboa finish with winning arms over head--it even takes place in Philadelphia and ends on the steps. At least they didn't do it in slow motion. However, the story is more compelling and the circumstances more original. An all black swim team in 1974? Now there's an underdog more original than any Mighty Duck.
Locations and Production Design captured an era and a period look. Ok, so some of the buildings in the skyline didn't get built until the 80's and the ghetto was a little too--ghetto. In general, they got the look down. The set decoration was a little too decorated in the clutter and decay of the old rec center / school, but again, it created a period atmosphere that worked for 1974. This was not a Steven Spielberg production team and they did a lot with what was a modest Lionsgate budget. However, if you really filled a swimming pool that size with a garden hose, we'd still be waiting for the film to be released.
Unfortunately, being a period Speedo expert, even the Speedo product placement people got it wrong. An upscale swim team like the all white academy of arrogant jerks, certainly would have had matching suits. They would have all been 100% nylon as lycra didn't happen until the 1976 olympics although the suits were available by 1975--not 1974. The cut was appropriate, but the stretch / double knit fabric was not--for either team. A team name/logo embroidered or on a patch would also have been appropriate for either team. The other thing that really bothered me, ok, I was there, were the length of the shorts. Yes, if the ghetto guys had worn the actual correct 1974 length, we would have all laughed at them. Guys did wear short shorts in 1974 until 1984 or even later. Anyone wearing shorts down to their knees or below in 1974 would have been laughed at back then. Since they were showing "'fro's" and polyester shirts, they could have had shorter shorts to also suggest the period. Ok, picky, picky, but when you are a period junkie, what can I say?

The actual swimming pool photography was amazingly good. There is nothing really exciting about watching people swim from one end of a pool to the other--in fact, bowling is more exciting (at least it's one way). However, the cuts and angles made the above and below pool shots incredible. It was like being in the water with the swimmers even if they were wearing the wrong tank suits.

Considering many of the cast were unknown-- how many black swimming actors can you name?--it was more credible than the formula plot might have suggested. The coincidence that every black swimmer had an over developed, non-swimmers body seemed a bit obvious. The woman playing the female lead was not exactly Pam Grier, had a tendency to keep looking down, but looked great in her giant hoop earrings so all is forgiven. If the only name actor you can afford is Tom Arnold, at least he wasn't playing a goofy sidekick. He makes a good villain even without a cigar.
So if you want a fairly credible, yet predictable, family feel-good movie where the good guys win wearing inappropriate Speedos, you could do a lot worse. Nobody swears in this ghetto.

The movie is inspirational. It has a positive plot. It reveals that people can
overcome adversity. You can't use the word I can't but I can when it comes to making life decisions. People do have a second chance to overcome a bad life dealt to them based on environment, economy, and people. It also has some talented, gifted actors that put themselves into the character 100%. It is a MUST SEE movie. I decided to purchase the movie PRIDE to add to my collection of movies. I went to see the movie when it first came to the theater. I really enjoyed the movie.

I cannot realy say that I sdisliked the moovie. I feel that it was as good as can be. kAnd as a film maker myself I though that it waqs a great true story drama that that gives inslpiration and a lesson in self disipline. I 100 percent loved it and more filom should be made that gives hope and inslpiration to the downtroddena and hopeless, dispite the environment jone is jin.

Excellent movie. Better than I anticipated. Would tell others to watch as well. True story movies are always A+.
Thanks

Excellent movie for the entire family and based in Philadelphia. Very enjoyable and as a philadelphian, I enjoyed the movie being portrayed here in the city of brotherly love.