Pride

I don't want to come across as bossy, but you have to go and see this film, it's the best one you'll see all year! I'm about to use all of my powers of persuasion to convince you - get ready for a gush-fest.

First of all, I'm sorry for using the word 'gush-fest'. Second of all, Pride might be one of my favourite films ever. It's certainly the best film so far this year and it's the best British comedy for a long time (I'm talking Love Actually standard - honestly, that good).

Here's a five sentence synopsis: 1984 - a small group of activists begin a fundraising campaign called 'Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners' hoping to give something back to the striking workers they feel are being oppressed in the same way they usually are.Trouble is, the miners don't want to be associated with gays and the gay community don't want to donate money to a group that has bullied them for years. Not ones to give up easily 'Lesbians and Gays support the Miners' take their campaign to the heart of the mining community, reaching out to a tiny village in South Wales. There's hostility at first, then acceptance, then genuine affection as the two communities become unlikely allies. In fact, it's so unlikely that it seems made up, until right at the end, just before the credits when you find out that all of these incredible people and this unbelievably uplifting story are real.



It's one of those films that make you want to stand up and applaud in the cinema - believe me, I would've done if I hadn't been one of only four other people in there. I had two tiny eyeliner waterfalls cascading down my cheeks as I left and, more than anything else, I felt patriotic (although that might just have been the e-numbers from my pick 'n' mix playing with my emotions). There's something about this story, one that most people know nothing about, and it makes you proud to be British. One thing's for sure - they were spot on when they thought up the name.

I've got to talk about the actors - all your favourites are in there, Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, Dominic West, Liz White, Paddy Considine. If you're a Sherlock fan, you won't need me to tell you how amazing Andrew Scott is, but I'm going to anyway - he will break - your - heart. I'd stake anything on the fact that that man will get an Oscar one day. Relative newcomer Ben Schnetzer as ringleader Mark Ashton is a revelation though. I don't know who he is or where he came from but he's basically Andrew Scott Junior. He's just astounding in it. And, without giving too much away, there's a cameo mid way through from one of The Optimist's favourite Brit Actors, prepare to weep.

Frankly, the most persuasive thing I can do is show you the trailer. You won't be able to resist once you've seen it - and you shouldn't.