Pride (2014)

THE FULL MONTY spawned an entire category of films I like to call the QUAINT ENGLISH VILLAGE MOVIE. It started out great, but then one after the other just kept coming - WAKING NED DEVINE, THE ENGLISHMAN WHO WENT UP A HILL BUT CAME DOWN A MOUNTAIN, CALENDAR GIRLS, BILLY ELLIOT - and while individually good, enough already! So I came to PRIDE with crossed arms and a bitter attitude. Man was I being a dick. This is just a terrific movie, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Based on the remarkable 1984 true story of the infamous Miner's strike in Thatcher England which found unlikely bedfellows in the form of support from a London-based LGBT group, PRIDE is better than its terrible title. Initially I thought it was a documentary about gay pride parades. The actual story is far more compelling than my assumptions. Identifying with the bullying tactics inflicted on the strikers, a small group of gay men and one lesbian take to the streets with buckets to collect spare change.

They are led by Mark (Ben Schnetzer), a very strong-willed, politically astute young man who makes the connection between the two oppressed groups. Although the miners were notorious homophobes, he pushes forward and enlists the aid of his community. They encounter initial resistance from the Union, so instead they engage a small Welsh mining village directly and work hard to bond with the locals.

This is a very large, unwieldy cast and the screenplay by Stephen Beresford is overstuffed with incident, but director Matthew Warchus masterfully juggles all of the balls in the air and creates an emotionally overpowering and lovely cinematic experience. Along with Mark, there's George MacKay as Joe, the closeted newbie who goes on an inspiring hero's journey throughout. Andrew Scott is a true find as Gethin, a gay bookstore owner who must face his Welsh heritage. Closely resembling Mark Ruffalo, Scott gives a fantastic performance as a man who has lived in fear and shame for too long. Dominic West, best known for THE WIRE, shines in a small but crucial role as Gethin's partner.

On the village side, there is none other than the legends, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Considine and Bill Nighy, who are all very strong, but the heart and soul of this film belongs to Jessica Gunning as Sian, a fierce advocate for her new friends and a force of nature whether she's stomping into police stations or reprimanding her husband for showing any hint of homophobia. I have the feeling, much as I did when I saw TRAINSPOTTING, that PRIDE has the potential to launch major careers with Schnetzer, MacKay and Gunning. These are immensely appealing actors whom you can't help but cheer.

It's not perfect. Not every storyline is resolved. In fact a major one concerning a bitter matriarch and her two gay-bashing sons doesn't even come close. Also, I found it a bit odd that some characters were given WHERE ARE THEY NOW cards at the end, while others didn't get a mention. No matter, as this is a rousing, spirited call to action. There's a non-profit group in existence right now called GAY4GOOD, where its volunteers reach out to other communities to help bag groceries, clean parks, etc. This organization stands on the shoulders of these brave, colorful, vivid activists from 30 years ago. They risked their lives and reputations to stand beside others in need. PRIDE is a crowd-pleasing rallying call. It won't change cinema, but in this troubled world we find ourselves in, changing hearts and minds is more important.