Celebrated theater director Mathew Warchus (Matilda, The Norman Conquests) unstiffens many of the script's clichés by affecting a sparkling, musical tone — producers have stated their intentions to bring Pride to Broadway, à la fellow miners-strike movie "Billy Elliot."
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
A clear winner that makes you laugh, cry, and generally want to party and parade like it’s 1984.
Time Out London by Dave Calhoun
It’s a joyous film, full of love and warmth but unafraid to admit that with sticking out your neck comes struggle and sorrow. Truly lovely.
Pride is brilliantly entertaining just as it is, so I trust that no one connected with the film will be insulted if I say that, despite the existence of shows with similarly stirring themes, like “Billy Elliot” and “Kinky Boots,” the story would make a terrific musical.
Slant Magazine by Elise Nakhnikian
The film the tough true story has spawned is as formulaically cheery, didactically "uplifting," and fundamentally false as a Disney sports movie.
Stephen Beresford’s script’s has its cornball fish-out-of-water touches to be sure, but Pride is a bona fide crowd-pleaser — wearing its heart on its sleeve as the film builds to an ending that’s as satisfying as it is surprising.
No matter how much this story has been streamlined for accessibility’s sake, its import remains potent. In spite of numerous missteps, Pride gets that across.
A feel-good charmer with an important message, Pride will have you clutching your sides, wiping your eyes and punching the air in triumph.
Rolling Stone by Peter Travers
Pride naively thinks it can change the world with a single movie. Talk about fighting spirit. I couldn't have liked it more.
A joyous, well-researched and liberating film in the feel-good spirit of "Billy Elliot," "The Full Monty" and "Calendar Girls."
This is a wonderful movie. Just the right mix of uplifting and real, it is a good introduction to the themes of LGBTQ liberation and workers' rights. This movie can be watched both for entertainment and for its message, even if it does sanitize the history like most movies of this type do.