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I was struggling for something to write about that satisfies my ‘So What?’ rule. Fortunately, last night I watched a wonderful film called ‘Pride’. It knocked my socks off for many reasons, but most importantly, I think that if you watch it too you’ll become a slightly better person for it. There are a lot of Welsh accents in the film and so when thinking about it I think in my Welsh accent, so if you’re able, read this in one 😉

“Pride” opens with real footage from Margaret Thatcher’s politically divided England with police brutality setting the scene for a rather serious film. It deals with the importance of community, civil rights, and most centrally, prejudice against the gay community. It touches on homophobia, police brutality, closeted homosexuality, AIDS, and women’s rights. But the film does a wonderful job to walk the line between ‘feel good’ and serious. There are some hard hitting emotional moments but I don’t think they’re enough to warrant putting off watching the film however you’re feeling.

While having serious source material, “Pride” has consistent humor. The script is adept and subtle, never dumbing down for the audience, and being unapologetic about reality but with a delicacy that I think would make it even a great film for a younger audience. Most of the humor comes from really quite lovely interactions between the miners and gays, like a running joke that all lesbians are vegetarians. Each character feels true because of the smart, humorous script, but it’s the message the film carries that makes “Pride” so good.

If you don’t want spoilers, stop reading now and download it. Or get it up and ready on Netflix. Thank me later.

About the plot

“Pride” is based on a true story from 1984 when miners went on strike in protest of Thatcher’s war against them. It centers on the group ‘Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners’ (LGSMs), led by Mark Ashton (played by Ben Schnetzer), a young, idealistic gay man trying to help the mining community after realising they face similar public discrimination and cruelty.

After the group starts to collect money at pride parades, LGSM has trouble finding a mining union to accept its earnings. They choose a small mining village in Onllwyn in South Wales. There, they meet real miners for the first time, and the miners meet real gays for the first time. The mining community has to grapple with the new and still risque idea of gays and lesbians being its main supporters and donors. But knowing both real miners and real gays myself from this time, I think they do a wonderful job of portraying both the tension, and the authenticity of both peoples.

The film starts slow to help introduce all the characters who have a significant effect on the film, and they do it well. Numerous characters in both the miners and the members of LGSM have their moments to shine and develop, whether through heartfelt speeches or quiet moments that have their emotional impact without dialogue.

One particular standout for me was the character of Sian James, played by Jessica Gunning. When introduced on-screen, she could be mistaken for a static character, but “Pride” shows her assertive transition. With support from the gay community, she learns how to trust in herself, especially when she bails out miners from jail using the information she learned from LGSM members. It reflects on Gunning’s power as an actress that she can portray her character as strong, personable and humorous all at the same time. Sian James in real life went from having no education, only knowing life as a house wife and mother, to be the 1st woman to be an MP in the Swansea constituency after the events in the film.

The setting provides a wonderful contrast between the grungy, sweaty, and glittery London gay bars and the quaint, quiet village in Wales. The contrast really helps you see the discomfort both groups must have felt. Both groups are transported out of places they would never usually be found to show their support for their friends in need. The two worlds that the characters come from cannot be any more distant which makes seeing their friendship grow all the more wholesome.

Conclusion

Make a plan to watch the bloody film. Or better yet, watch it now. It’s a film that takes itself seriously, is feel good, and stands for something. Too many films can’t do any of these things right these day. Watch it and tell me I’m wrong.

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