Tools for this page
Print

Pride

(2007, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Kimberly Elise)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Feel-good swimming flick takes on racism.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Inner-city African-American teens learn to appreciate swimming competitively thanks to their tireless coach. The entire neighborhood rallies behind the swimmers, and wealthy white swimmers and their coaches eventually grow to respect the team.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Jim's presence at an all-white swim meet sparks a near riot. He punches a white police officer. Jim nearly drowns the local drug dealer.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Some flirting and hand-holding and one kiss. The neighborhood pimp offers Jim a date with one of his ladies, but he declines. The boys on the team flirt and holler at girls.
  • Language:

    Some foul language and racial terms like "Negro" and "boy."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    There's an obvious drug dealer and pimp who uses local teens to make his deliveries.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Pride

Parents need to know that this fact-based drama deals with racism head-on from its very first scene, in which Terrence Howard's character, Jim Ellis, is the only African American at a swim meet in 1960s North Carolina. A scuffle breaks out, and he ends up striking a white cop. He encounters bigotry again in the '70s when he ends up coaching an all-black swim team: The team's wealthier white competitors sabotage and ridicule the black swimmers at meets. But the drama also shows Jim's team making "honky" jokes and goofing off instead of taking competition seriously. Besides the opening brawl, there's another altercation in a pool, when Jim nearly drowns the local drug dealer.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the different forms of racism displayed in the film. Why wouldn't any of the other swimmers get in the pool with Jim? How are his experiences tied in with the American South's segregated past? Jim also deals with prejudice in the North. Are there any differences in the racist attitudes of both regions? What other recent films deal with racism and sports? Is bigotry still an issue in athletics in real life?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Pride?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    good

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Maine
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Too much bad language for a PG flick

    I rented this because I heard it was a nice feel good flick (and because my dad is an extra in the movie and we wanted to look for him.) I checked this website to see if it was appropriate for my 7 and 9 year olds to watch and got a good vibe. But no, it has every cuss word except the F word in it and I quickly sent them out of the room to watch something else. I wish I had known that in advance. The drug dealer and issues surrounding him are also too much for a 7 and 9 year old. However, I really liked this movie as an adult and I would recommend it to parents with older kids.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Great Story but beware of racism

    As a parent, I would be sure to talk to my children about the cultural issuea of prejudice prior to allowing my children to watch this movie. It was set in late 60's-70's when the issues of racism were more overt. I like the movie alot.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Pride Delivers

    I had low expectations for Pride after reading a few nasty reviews, but Owen Gleiberman's B+ review in Entertainment Weekly convinced me to take a chance. I must say, I was moved to tears (as were my companions) by the story, by the outstanding supporting cast, and by the magnificent Terrance Howard. Yes, the script was cliched, and there were few surprises, but Howard, Bernie Mac and the others embued their characters with so much honesty and heart it didn't matter. As a former actress, I know that that's all about direction! I highly recommend this film to all ages.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Advice for Parents

    How to Upload a Video to YouTube

    How to Upload a Video to YouTube

    Video creativity is easier than you think.

  • Book of the Week

    Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, Book 2

    Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, Book 2

    Sequel just as gripping -- and brutal -- as the first.

  • Pick of the Week

    Online Homework Help

    Online Homework Help

    Best Online Homework Helpers

  • Game of the Week

    NHL 10

    NHL 10

    Excellent, authentic pro hockey sim includes brawls.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy