“Pride” presents the socially dynamic England of 1984, where many miners protested in Wales and social activists demonstrated in London. The film follows a closeted gay man in London, Joe (George MacKay), who meets a group of gay activists in a Soho bookshop. Among them, Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer) decides to form a coalition with miners, who share their anti–Margaret Thatcher sentiment.
After facing a series of rejections from homophobic mining groups, the activists find a group of Welsh miners who are willing to cooperate. The two groups form a new group called Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, and achieve solidarity by raising money and marching together, despite the contempt and criticism of other mining groups and many gay activists.
Although the movie deals with serious social issues, it maintains a giddy and fun tone throughout. The individual stories of the gay activists are weaved into larger narrative; each of their personalities is revealed in the process of working together. The cooperation between these ostracized groups—miners and gays and lesbians—generates a sense of pride and achievement among the audience.
“Pride” is not a serious dissection of the social scene in England of 1980s. Instead, it describes one of the most diverse and fast–changing eras of England in a personalized and humorous tone, making the movie a fun two hours.
