Pride

An unlikely union between the more politically conscious gays and lesbians of London and a depressed mining town in Wales is the subject of this joyous and often riotously funny British comedy. The year is 1984, and prime minister Margaret Thatcher is putting ever more pressure on the striking miners to abandon their protests. Inspired by what he sees as a common cause - being bullied by the authorities - gay activist Mark (Ben Schnetzer) rallies a ragtag group of friends to collect money for the cash-strapped workers. At first, the macho miners are suspicious, but slowly come to appreciate their unexpected new benefactors, with community leaders Cliff (Bill Nighy) and Hefina (Imelda Staunton) leading the charge. Tapping the formula that worked so well for The Full Monty and Billy Elliot, Pride adds some feel-good moments of its own in a broad, light and characterful romp that smuggles in some powerful, serious points about unity and togetherness in between the ribald one-liners.