The 1984 Miners’ strike in Britain is considered to be one of the most defining moments of modern British history. The strike was a stern battle between Margaret Thatcher’s government and Arthur Scargill (politician and trade unionist) led National Union of Mineworkers. The bitter clash between the forces of law and order, which wanted to privatize coal industry (and undermine the power of Trade Union Movement), and embittered workers (strike involved 120,000 -130,000 workers) is considered pivotal in the sense that it changed Britain’s economic trajectory.
British Cinema has engineered some feel-good, sincere tales
that are set against the miners’ strike. Movies like “The Full Monty”, “Billy
Elliot” were all crowd-pleasers that took an idiosyncratic approach to the 1984
strike. Matthew Warchus’ “Pride” (2014) belongs to that tradition of movies
that shows how courage and solidarity won over the Britain’s darkest days. It is
a fictionalized version of a true story, where a gay and lesbian community of
London came out in support of the miners. Yeah, it contains sugary and
sentimental stuff, but at the same time it is genuinely heartwarming.
Mark (Ben Schetzer), a gay activist from London has an idea
one day when he watches TV that shows iron-willed Prime Minister Thatcher
refusing to meet the demands of strikers. He thinks: the gays are marginalized
and so are the miners; so why shouldn’t we fight for their cause by raising
money for the strikers and their families? He pitches the idea to his friend
Mike (Joseph Gilgun) and they form an organization called ‘Lesbian and Gays
Support the Miners' (LGSM). The other significant members of this support group are: flamboyant
actor (Dominic West); a sour Welshman (Andrew Scott); a closeted suburban
college student (George MacKay); and the lofty flame-haired Steph (Faye Marsay).
The LGSM starts calling every striking mining town and tries
to arrange a meeting. But, the unions hang up when it hears what LGSM stands
for. On day an elderly woman from a mining village in South Wales doesn’t hang
up. Soon, the LGSM were met by strikers’ genial leader, Dai (Paddy Considine).
He is also surprised by what LGSM means and confesses that ‘he’s never met a
gay’ (to which Mark replies that ‘he’s never met a miner’), but he warms up and
thanks for their friendship. He even makes a stirring speech at a London
gay-bar. Dai invites the LGSM people to his home town. Initially, the van-load
of benevolent visitors causes some restiveness and earns contempt from the
locals, but the strike committee led by the stern Hefina (Imelda Staunton) and Sian
(Jessica Gunning), welcomes the gays and lesbians with open hearts. The miners
and the LGSM then take their efforts to next levels.
“Pride” portrays the age-old storyline about the attractions
of opposites, and yeah it’s too sweetened remains too upbeat, but director
Warchus rounds up an excellent cast whom transcends the schmaltzy elements. The
charismatic Dominic West gives a scene-stealing performance, especially in the scene
when he demonstrates his dance moves to the encumbered miners. Imelda Staunton
was at her usual best by being sharp-tongued motherly figure. Veteran actor Bill
Nighy, as the introvert Cliff, offers the movie’s gentlest performances. Of the
younger supporting actors, Gunning offers an eloquent performance as a working
class woman, who eventually turned into a leader.
The first-time screenwriter Stephen Beresford (playwright)
incorporates many subplots that include homophobic parents, AIDS, reunion with
parents, lesbian separatism, and gay-bashing. Lot of characters fighting for
their place within sub-plot bogs down the central events, but the writer comes
up with enough crowd-pleasing moments to move things up. Perfect amount of
manipulation is employed to make us cackle or to put a lump in our throat. The
scenes that brings the clashing subcultures closer are both hilarious (grannies
from small-town walking through leather bar) as well as touching. The final ‘pride-parade’
sequence is tailor-made, yet it arouses real emotions.
“Pride” (120 minutes) is an uplifting film about the spirit
of mutual affection that tries to cast aside the marginalization. Though it’s little over-stuffed, it never
fails to make a stirring impact.
Trailer
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