Pride Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Gays and miners become besties, but only after awkward dancing and lots of tea, to defeat Margaret Thatcher’s villainous plot to…close some mines, or something?

🍿 Pride: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Stage: 1984 and the Miner’s Strike

The film opens in 1984, a time of significant social and political upheaval in the UK. Margaret Thatcher’s government is battling the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in a protracted and bitter strike. The strike divides communities and puts immense pressure on mining families. Meanwhile, the gay and lesbian community faces its own struggles with prejudice, discrimination, and the emerging AIDS crisis. The film highlights the parallel struggles of these two marginalized groups.

Formation of LGSM

Inspired by a sense of shared struggle, a group of lesbian and gay activists in London, led by the passionate Mark Ashton, decide to raise money to support the striking miners’ families. They form the group “Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners” (LGSM). Their initial efforts are met with resistance from the NUM, who are wary of associating with a marginalized group. Despite this setback, LGSM perseveres, choosing to directly support a small mining village in Wales.

Arrival in Onllwyn

LGSM travels to the small Welsh mining village of Onllwyn to deliver their donations in person. Initially, their arrival is met with suspicion and discomfort from some of the villagers. Homophobia and cultural differences create a divide, but the sincerity and generosity of the group gradually begin to break down barriers. Through shared experiences and genuine connection, the people of Onllwyn begin to see the gay activists not as outsiders, but as allies.

Building Bridges

As the LGSM members integrate into the community, they face challenges and prejudices head-on. Jonathan, known as “Number Two” (the second person in the UK to be diagnosed with HIV but still alive), brings energy and a sense of celebration. Joe, a young and closeted gay man, struggles with coming out to his family. The film showcases the growing bonds between individuals from both communities as they work together to support the strike.

Facing Setbacks

The unlikely alliance faces opposition from within the mining community itself. One particularly vocal and prejudiced woman, Maureen, actively works to undermine the relationship between the miners and the gay activists. The group is also affected by the AIDS crisis, and the health of Jonathan hangs in the balance, bringing sadness and worry to all involved.

Triumph and Solidarity

Despite the setbacks, LGSM and the mining community continue to support each other. A fundraising concert is organized, showcasing the newfound solidarity between the two groups. The miners’ strike eventually ends in defeat, but the bonds forged between LGSM and Onllwyn prove to be enduring. The following year, a large contingent of miners marches in the Gay Pride parade, demonstrating their unwavering support for their LGBT allies.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer): A passionate and determined Northern Irish gay activist who initiates the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners movement.
• Joe Cooper (George MacKay): A young, closeted gay man from Bromley who finds himself drawn into the LGSM and discovers his own identity.
• Dai Donovan (Paddy Considine): A pragmatic and thoughtful Welsh miner who acts as a key liaison between the miners and LGSM.
• Hefina (Imelda Staunton): The warm-hearted and supportive matriarch of the Welsh mining community who champions the LGSM’s cause.
• Jonathan (Dominic West): A flamboyant and energetic gay man who brings joy and acceptance to the Welsh community through his disco moves and supportive nature.
• Cliff (Bill Nighy): A reserved and closeted gay man living in the Welsh community, representing the internalized struggles of that era.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mark Ashton: “If anyone gives you a hard time, you tell them that Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners.” – Mark emphatically states this after forming the LGSM group, emphasizing their unwavering support.
• Hefina: “We thought that you were… different. But it turns out we’re not so different after all.” – Hefina delivers this heartfelt line during a poignant moment, highlighting the newfound understanding between the two communities.
• Jonathan: “Alright everyone, let’s show them how the gays do it!” – Jonathan exclaims this before dancing exuberantly at a benefit event, breaking down barriers and winning over the community.
• Dai Donovan: “I’ve never met a real homosexual before. Or a lesbian. I thought you’d all be bigger.” – Dai says this when first meeting the LGSM group in London, showing how people were unfamiliar with gay people.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,857,154
• Domestic Gross: $1,446,634
• Worldwide Gross: $19,014,619

💥 Pride Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adored this movie! The story is so heartwarming and inspiring. The way the two communities come together is funny and genuinely touching. Bill Nighy is fantastic as always and the soundtrack is phenomenal and makes you want to dance. The benefit concert was one of the highlights, but the final scene at the Pride parade brought tears to my eyes. Definitely a feel-good movie that I’ll watch again and again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of British cinema and feel-good movies”
  • “Those interested in LGBT history and social justice movements”
  • “Viewers who appreciate ensemble casts and heartwarming stories”
  • “People who enjoy films with a blend of humor and drama”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some homophobic slurs and discrimination”
  • “Brief references to the AIDS crisis”
  • “Suggestive dancing”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “A joyous and genuinely moving film about solidarity and unexpected alliances. It’s funny, heartwarming, and features outstanding performances from a stellar cast.
• Empire: “Pride is a crowd-pleaser with heart. It celebrates community and standing up for what’s right, even when it’s uncomfortable. The film’s strength lies in its ability to balance humor and genuine emotion.
• Variety: “A crowd-pleasing charmer that mixes social commentary with broad humor and affecting emotion. The film’s success hinges on the performances and the skillful direction.

Audience Reactions

The disco dancing scene in the village hall is hilarious and heartwarming.: Viewers loved the film’s ability to balance humor with serious social issues.

Bill Nighy’s understated performance as Cliff is a standout.: Many praised the excellent acting of the entire cast.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and funny film about an unlikely alliance between gay activists and striking miners in 1980s Britain. It celebrates solidarity, tolerance, and standing up for what’s right.

Awards

1. British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) (Outstanding British Film)- 2015
2. Cannes Film Festival (Queer Palm)- 2014

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the true story of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), a real-life alliance that formed during the 1984-1985 miners’ strike in the UK.”
• “Several of the actors met with the real people they portrayed to prepare for their roles, ensuring a more authentic representation of the historical events.”
• “Filming took place in Onllwyn, Wales, the actual village where the real-life events unfolded, adding to the film’s authenticity and emotional resonance.”

🖥️ How to Watch Pride?

As of October 2024, “Pride” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can also be purchased from major retailers and online marketplaces like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Pride, you might like these similar films:

• Billy Elliot (2000): Deals with a working-class community during the same era, facing similar social and economic hardships, and explores themes of breaking stereotypes and finding unexpected solidarity.
• The Full Monty (1997): Features unemployed steelworkers who find an unconventional way to regain their pride and economic stability, mirroring the themes of resilience and community support in the face of adversity.
• Brassed Off (1996): Focuses on a colliery brass band in a small mining town facing pit closures, reflecting the struggles of the miners and the importance of cultural identity and community spirit.
• Kinky Boots (2005): Story of a struggling British shoe factory that reinvents itself by producing boots for drag queens, highlighting themes of acceptance, defying expectations, and the power of unlikely alliances.

🛒 Pride Related Products

• Pride (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the film’s iconic moments with this collection of 80s hits and original score.
• Keep Calm and Support the Miners T-Shirt: Show your support for the cause with this movie-inspired shirt.
• Pride [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed movie. Watch the extras to dive deeper into the story. It’s a collector’s edition.
• Pride Movie Poster: Decorate your room and celebrate the movie with a stylish poster.

🎧 Soundtrack

Pride features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Shame Shame Shame” – performed by Shirley and Company
• “There Is Power in a Union” – performed by Billy Bragg
• “Walls Come Tumbling Down!” – performed by The Style Council
• “For a Friend” – performed by The Communards

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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