Film review: Pride

Theatre director Matthew Warchus, who succeeds Kevin Spacey as artistic director of the Old Vic in London next year, will need to de-clutter his awards-laden mantelpiece.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Sep 2014, 21:00 BST
AYE MARSAY (Steph), GEORGE MACKAY (Joe), BEN SCHNETZER (Mark), JOSEPH GILGUN (Mike) and PADDY CONSIDINE (Dai) in Pride. See PA Feature FILM Film Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Pathe. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Film Reviews.AYE MARSAY (Steph), GEORGE MACKAY (Joe), BEN SCHNETZER (Mark), JOSEPH GILGUN (Mike) and PADDY CONSIDINE (Dai) in Pride. See PA Feature FILM Film Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Pathe. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Film Reviews.
AYE MARSAY (Steph), GEORGE MACKAY (Joe), BEN SCHNETZER (Mark), JOSEPH GILGUN (Mike) and PADDY CONSIDINE (Dai) in Pride. See PA Feature FILM Film Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Pathe. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Film Reviews.

His second feature film is a barnstorming culture-clash comedy drama based on the inspirational true story of a group of gays and lesbians who supported the miners during the 1984 strike and raised thousands of pounds for beleaguered communities, which dared to stand up to the Thatcher government.

This uplifting story of solidarity in the face of adversity and police intimidation is an absolute joy; an unabashed, irresistible crowd-pleaser in the magnificent mould of The Full Monty and Billy Elliot that rouses the audience to bellowing laughter while choking back a deluge of hot, salty tears.

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Pride embraces and subverts stereotypes, deftly weaving together stories of personal triumph and anguish as the spectre of Aids casts a long shadow over the gay community.

Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer) is the charismatic and outspoken leader of young, impassioned campaigners, who operate out of the Gay’s The Word bookshop in London run by Gethin (Andrew Scott).

Related topics:LondonKevin Spacey