There are formulaic moments aplenty in Pride, the "inspired by a true story" tale of Philadelphia swimming coach Jim Ellis, but in its first scenes, at least, it deserves some credit for doing the unexpected. The latest in a series of Remember The Titans-inspired films that use sports to address race in America, it begins where most such films end. A young Ellis (later played as an adult by Terrence Howard) attempts to compete in a college swim competition in the early '60s. A supportive white coach cheers him on as the crowds protest his involvement. Then, instead of cheers and learned lessons, the moment ends with a brutal scuffle with the police and Ellis' arrest.
Fast-forward 10 years. The civil-rights movement has come and gone, Black Power has burned out, but any sense that the struggle is over is strictly superficial. On his way to being interviewed and rejected for a teaching job at an exclusive Philadelphia school, Howard rides a train to the accompaniment of the Philly soul classic "Back Stabbers." "They smile in your face," The O'Jays sing, "all the time they want to take your place." It's pretty obvious they aren't just singing about unscrupulous friends.
It's a nice bit of stage-setting that doesn't quite pay off over the course of the rest of the movie. Given a low-paying job at a failing, city-run recreation center overseen by the perpetually glowering Bernie Mac, Howard sets about inspiring the shiftless local kids by teaching them how to swim. But as scrappy misfit teams are wont to do, Howard and his kids start to get it together, eventually rising to challenge the city's swimming powerhouse, the same school that denied Howard a job. Meanwhile, Howard also plays a game of brinksmanship with a local hustler trying to lure kids into crime.
The plot plays out as predictably as anyone might expect, but the fine details keep Pride squarely above average. Debuting director Sunu Gonera emphasizes earnest, straightforward craftsmanship that keeps a family audience in mind. A few more swimming thrills wouldn't have hurt, nor would some of the unpredictability of those open scenes. But Gonera smartly lets the gravity rest with Howard, who plays Ellis with a battered dignity fitting for someone who's channeled his bitterness at the chances he never had into making sure the next generation gets its shot, backstabbers and all.