Pride

In the 1970s, a former competition swimmer (Terrence Howard) takes a job helping close down a dilapidated Philadelphia community center. Before long, his prowess in the pool wins the respect of a co-worker (Bernie Mac) and the interest of some local teens. Together they form a swim team that unites and energizes the neighborhood. The latest in the plethora of inspirational sports movies (it’s swimming this time rather than basketball or football) is even more cliché-ridden than usual, due perhaps to an inexperienced director (Sunu Gonera) and writers (Kevin Michael Smith, Michael Gozzard, J. Mills Goodloe, Norman Vance Jr.) who never set foot outside the familiar formula. But fine performances from Howard and Mac, as well as Kimberly Elise as a dubious councilwoman they gradually win over, save the day.