Pride (2014)

From Netflix:

In an unlikely alliance, striking British mineworkers draw support from a coalition of gay and lesbian activists who solicit donations to help tide over the miners’ families during the 1984 standoff with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s government.

From a Netflix DVD Kathy and I watched this 2 hour feel-good and had many good laughs. Never mind that the film is a bit maudlin, somewhat over the top, has an obvious agenda, and is too long.

What saved the film for me was especially the fact that it is based on true events during the Thatcher era in Great Britain. Be sure to watch the final credits because during the final Gay Pride parade you see screen text which tells you what happened in real life to some of the characters. Sion’s success in later life is especially inspirational.

Among the many actors you might recognize:

  • Dominic West (Jonathan) who stars in the award-winning TV series “The Affair”
  • Imelda Staunton was “Vera Drake” in the famous film of that name.
  • Bill Nighy has a long resume. He played Johnny Worricker in the TV Masterpiece Contemporary series.

Probably the only dark cloud in the story is the emergence of AIDS, which did affect some of the gay men in the plot.

Enjoy the Welsh scenery. Not a perfect film, but lots of fun.

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