Ah Great Britain, we're a brilliant nation, aren't we? Once we were an Empire, built on the backbone of pillaging, slavery and exploitation. Ah yes, Great Britain. Now what I believe makes our country great today is our diversity, swarms of races and sexualities have been birthed and homed here, giving us a spectrum of backgrounds untied in solidarity. And yet a few people seem to perpetuate the notion of white, straight folk bigotry and all that nonsense. The backlash of LGBT cinema pouring into our nation swells with the importance of uniting, together, everyone against regimes that may tie us down. And no film, in recent years will make you proud to be British more so than Pride.
Headed by a phenomenally British cast, this incredible gem of cinema has a collection of the finest talent this nation has to other. Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Considine, George McKay, Andrew Scott, Dominic West and so many more charm, emote and charge forward in such away that you invest in all of them. They each convey fully realised characters that come together for the plight through their struggles as well as poignant witty moments. Not one name on the expansive list is weak, the talent pulls together for the depth of the story and their characters. It must be said though that relatively unknown Ben Schnetzer (previously seen as Max in The Book Thief and if that shocked you as much as it did me, you know how terrific he is here) as Mark is astonishing, being the face of the film. Schweitzer is absorbing in Mark's headstrong journey he sensitively and astutely creates much more than just an activist here. He is unforgettable.
It's clear that a review about this film and it's contents simply cannot end without mentioning the powerful remnants it leaves behind. If anything, it should highlight the urgency to stand together with your fellow man when times of hardship hit. Too long we have lived in hate, prejudice and mindless apathy. This nation is a strong one made of thousands on differences. This movie joyfully gives reason for togetherness, it strips away the boundaries and becomes about the essence of humanity; love, compassion and empathy. If this film could, not only entertain but change your view point and give you flames to speak out then it has done what it should do. This is, without doubt, one of the best films of the year.
Pride is a film Britain should be proud of.