Pride is inspired by the true story of Jim Ellis (portrayed in the film by Terrence Howard of Hustle and Flow, Crash), who, in 1954 is booed by the crowd and ejected from a college swim meet because he is African American. Ten years later, things have not improved that much. When Ellis applies for a teaching position at Main Line High School in Philadelphia, at first principal Bink ignores him during the interview, as he continues to practice golf putts in his office. Then Bink tells Jim that he would not relate to the students at Main Line. Jim is not even extended the courtesy of being looked at. The N word was not spoken but it was clearly delivered during his summary dismissal.

Desperate for a job, Jim accepts a janitorial position for the Philadelphia Department of Recreation (PDR) to help close down a center that has seen its better days. Maintenance worker Elston (Bernie Mac of Guess Who) still works there, but he spends his time looking at TV rather than maintaining the place.

During the summer a group of teenage boys seem to have the two options of either playing basketball or running drugs. By the time the basketball hoop is taken down Jim has cleaned up the pool in the recreation center. It proves to be a refreshing option and a welcome relief during the hot days of summer. One thing leads to another and the boys on the basketball team become a swim team. Joining them is one girl and together they hone their skills and eventually they are prepared to compete with the swim team from Main Line.

Sue (Kimberly Elise of Diary of a Mad Black Woman and TVs Close to Home) is the neighborhood city council representative and the sister of one of the boys on the swim team. Elston has known her since she was a kid at the center, and he’s been after her to try to keep the center open. The boys have their challenges with drug dealers, but Jim knows how to deal in the 60s. His methods might not work with the drive-by, uzi-carrying thugs of today.

The film compresses the entire story of defeat and, of course, ultimate victory, into an unrealistically short period of time; fix up the recreation center, train the swim team, go to multiple competitions, save a kid from possible death on the streets, and have the start of a romance. All this, however, does not keep the film from being enlightening and entertaining.  

Pride delivers much to think about with respect to self-determination, role models (good and bad), the political system, racism, and more. Throw in a kicking soundtrack of Philly Soul and PDR becomes Pride, Determination and Resilience. It is a promising and inspiring directing debut for Sunu Gonera of Zimbabwe.

A hard driving effort to overcome great odds in an inner city is a story that is not substantially different from what we saw in Coach Carter and ATL. Not to knock the acting in those films, it’s better in this one. Put Kimberly Elise in anything and the quality of the product is elevated. Combine her with Terrence Howard and you know the film will have the needed level of intensity without an overblown delivery.

With self-image and empowerment seemingly never ending goals of those on the low end of the political and economic scale, Pride is a must see film for those who aspire to move up and out of nowhere. Many of us have self-doubt, regardless of what we’ve accomplished. The montage at the end of the film, with the real-life coach Jim Ellis, chronicles what he has done and continues to do in Philadelphia with young adults, and is aspiring for all. He’s a real hero. This film should be required viewing for all inner city students as well as those in the suburbs.