Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: The Scene

Media Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate Coach Jim Ellis, played by Terrance Howard, sits on the bench contemplating whether or not his athletes can endure the racism.

When it comes to capturing an essence that would set Pride apart from other movies, Director Sunu Gonera said a few weeks ago during an interview in Oakland: "Authenticity. Something that was very real.

The light and dark of life, life is not just black and white when capturing real human-beings not characters." These are a few true elements that are needed to bring a movie great originality, especially when the concept has been tapped into before.

Gonera does a great job displaying the qualities needed to make Pride a great movie. He does not use character types or stereotypes in this movie because he chose the actors wisely so that you see real people on the screen, real emotions, real struggle. And he executes his goals with poise.

Based on a true story, the movie begins with an anecdote, illustrating what life was like for a minority who was trying to go against the grain and be more than what society allowed them to be.

The year is 1942, and Jim Ellis' college team is about to participate in the most important swim meet of the year. Ellis, the only African-American on the predominately white college team, taunts the competition saying to his coach, "I know how y'all white folks get when y'all lose, and y'all about to lose bad …" Ellis never has the chance to display his skills; the swimmers would not even swim in the pool with him. A display of racial slurs, and swimmers protesting against him leads to chaos breaking loose and his dreams deferred.

The movie fast-forwards to the 1970s. You watch the struggle that Jim Ellis has to endure as an educated man with bricks of discrimination stacked against him.

Pride, determination, and resilience are three words that define the main point of the movie. This movie is not only the story of a man that took a job provided by the unemployment office, and turned it into something greater than the city of Philadelphia.

This is also the story of a group of teenagers who have to overcome trials and tribulations plummeting on top of them in life as well as in their neighborhood.

"My determination was to be authentic, real and that is where grace lies," said Gonera. This movie will leave you with the feelings of pride and determination.

The movie is exciting, and allows other people to see their life on the big screen. Not relating to the actors is going to be hard to do, when they cry you cry, and when they are happy, so are you.

Pride
The Scene rating:4/4 stars
Cast: Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Kimberly Elise, Tom Arnold
Director: Sunu Gonera

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