Pride

A fine performance by Terrence Howard—as real-life figure Jim Ellis, founder of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation swim team—helps to save this warmed-over serving of clichés set in the inner city during the 1970s. In Sunu Gonera's Pride, the one-time swimming champ takes a low-paying job working for the city at the Marcus Foster Recreation Center—scheduled for demolition in two months—where an empty pool gives Ellis the idea to start a team and provide local youths a place to come in from the streets (at least temporarily). Predictably, Ellis recruits the neighborhood's tough kids, teaches them the virtue of perseverance, and eventually guides the team to a national competition at the University of Baltimore. Ellis is no saint—he repeatedly tries and fails to hold his temper in check—but it's precisely this well-rounded characterization brought to life by Howard that keeps Pride afloat. Bernie Mac offers a bit of restrained comic relief as a custodian. A strong optional purchase. [Note: Available in either widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include audio commentary by director Sunu Gonera, a 26-minute extended “Swim Meet” segment, a “Motel Room” deleted scene (5 min.), three music montages (5 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a so-so sports biopic.] (E. Hulse)