Pride (2007 film)

Pride is a 2007 biopic drama feature film released by Lionsgate Entertainment on March 23, 2007. Loosely based upon the true story of Philadelphia swim coach James Jim Ellis, Pride stars Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, and Kimberly Elise. The film was directed by Sunu Gonera.

It is 1974 and life is not easy for a black male to find employment, even collegeeducated Jim Ellis Terrence Howard. While struggling to find anything better, Jim, a former competitive swimmer, is working on the decrepit Marcus Foster Recreation Center operated by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. The center includes a dilapidated swimming pool, which Ellis rehabilitates. Elliss presence and activities cause friction with a bitter, overprotective janitor named Elston Bernie Mac. One day, Jim invites a group of black teens who have just been thrown off the basketball court in the Centers yard in for a swim. Andre Kevin Phillips, Hakim Nate Parker, Reggie Evan Ross, Puddin Head Brandon Fobbs, and Walt Alphonso McAuley prove to be fairly capable swimmers and with a few pointers, could become great swimmers. With some help from Elston, Jim decides to try to save the swimming pool by starting the citys first all AfricanAmerican swim team, the P.D.R. team Pride, Determination, Resilience. When the team acquires Willie Regine Nehy, a female swimmer more talented than any of the boys, the prospects of competing against much more experienced rival white teams begin to improve. Jim also develops a romantic interest in a beautiful city councilor Kimberly Elise, Hakims sister and guardian. Throughout their struggles in and out of the swimming pool, Jim and Elston encourage and mentor the kids, helping them not only to become successful at swimming but also to struggle against prejudice, crime, and poverty.Pride was met with mixed reviews, with a 45 freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 108 reviews. The films plot about the first black swim team was spoofed and criticized by comedian Bill Burr as an example of overindulgence in whiteonblack racism in movies with increasingly abstruse topics. ........

Source: Wikipedia