Lionsgate Terrence Howard stars as Jim Ellis in the new film "Pride."

By Barbara Vancheri
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

No one cries like Terrence Howard -- and I mean that in a good way.

Given the obstacles his character surmounts in "Pride," you can't blame him for shedding a few tears from those distinctive eyes that seem translucent green or pale brown, depending on the light and clothing.

Sheena Allen/Philadelphia Daily News The real Jim Ellis, shown at the Marcus Foster pool in Philadelphia last month. Click photo for larger image. 'Pride' Starring: Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac. Director: Sunu Gonera. Rating: PG for thematic material, language including some racial epithets, and violence. Web site: www.pridefilm.com/site.php Related articles Howard, Ellis feel film carries positive wave Family Film Guide

Howard, an Oscar nominee for "Hustle & Flow" and part of the sterling "Crash" ensemble, plays Jim Ellis, a former Pittsburgher and Westinghouse High School graduate, in "Pride." A note at the beginning says it was "inspired by true events," which means literary license has been taken, but the bones of the story are there.

The movie opens in 1964 at a Southern swim meet where the presence of an African-American competitor such as Ellis produces an ugly protest. The action then advances a decade, as the now-college graduate is looking for work in Philadelphia.

An application for a teaching job at a snooty Main Line academy is met with racism and rejection. Without even looking up from his putting practice, an administrator (Tom Arnold) dismisses Ellis, saying he "couldn't communicate properly with our students."

Ellis is later hired by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation to prepare an inner-city center for demolition. It's a rec center in name only; teenage boys play basketball outside, but no one ventures inside, and the custodian, Elston (Bernie Mac), doesn't even know the place is slated to close.

But Ellis discovers an indoor pool and slowly convinces the teens to come on in, the water's fine. They develop respect for Ellis' pool prowess, test their own skills and inquire about swim meets. They discover they have a few things to learn, and their opponents don't always play fair.

"Pride" follows the distractions, discipline and determination that come into play for Ellis, Elston, a councilwoman (Kimberly Elise) and the swimmers, whose ranks include a lone girl who holds her own, as they keep their eyes on the prize and the pride.

Zimbabwe native Sunu Gonera, a veteran of TV commercials, makes his feature directing debut here with a story that originated with University of Pittsburgh graduate Kevin M. Smith, who once worked for the Post-Gazette and WTAE-TV.

Smith heard about Ellis during a birthday party for former Pitt football coach Walt Harris and flew to Philadelphia to talk to Ellis about a possible movie. Now, Smith shares story and screenplay credit on the project.

There has been no shortage of inspirational tales at the theater or video store lately -- "Rocky Balboa," "The Pursuit of Happyness," "Invincible" -- and "Pride" joins the team, although it's closer to the Mark Wahlberg football film than Will Smith's tour-de-force.

Like those movies, it is anchored by a strong, magnetic male. Were it not for Howard, or the power of Ellis' true story, "Pride" might be just another cookie-cutter release.

In fact, it leans a little heavily on rousing cliches and the impression there are only two contending teams in the league. And, as with any movie about a team, the players are defined by one or two characteristics each.

But it doesn't present Ellis as a saint; his reaction to an outrageous act and his self-imposed punishment say as much about him as his response to success.

"Pride" takes us into and under the water in an authentic way that makes us believe these young men are diving, gliding and churning their way through the pool. Ellis (and his family and schoolmates, who have become an off-screen cheering section for this movie) can take pride in "Pride."