After garnering nearly seven million viewers to the franchise so far, Lifetime has added another installment to the Seven Deadly Sins movie series — Pride, starring Stephanie Mills. Inspired by real life events, Pride, is executive produced by TD Jakes, Derrick Williams, and Shaun Robinson and premieres on LIfetime today, April 8, 2023, at 8/7c. This is the fifth release in the network’s anthology of sin-inspired plots including Lust, Envy, Wrath, and Greed.
One would assume that the intention of the series is to teach viewers a moral lesson about how capital vices can destroy their lives, however, screenwriter Felicia Brooker’s skills with her adaptation of consulting producer Victoria Christopher Murray’s novel ensures that viewers almost forget that that is the basis and the goal. Instead, viewers feel as if they are simply watching a movie about a family caught up in their own egos and fame.
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What Is Pride About?
In the opening scenes, Gabriella Boudreaux arrives home from a blissful adult night out with her boyfriend and, moments later, is left for dead after being attacked by a mysterious assailant. From there, we immediately flash back six months and are catapulted into the family’s world in order to unpack everything that leads up to that point.
The first thing we learn is that months prior to being attacked, Gabriella had been arrested as a result of her necklace being discovered at the burglary scene of a home belonging to someone she knows.
Grammy Award-winning artist Stephanie Mills portrays Birdie Moore, a famous reality TV star in the vein of real-life Robbie Montgomery’s Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s. It is a familial atmosphere, but instead of a soul food restaurant, this matriarch owns a successful bakery in which she employs her family. She uses her influence and — we assume — her riches to get her granddaughter Gabriella’s charges dropped under the condition that she come and live with her after she is released from jail.
Whereas the average invitation to stay at one’s grandmother’s home might evoke comforting feelings like homemade chicken noodle soup and warm blankets, Gabriella has been estranged from her grandmother ever since Birdie’s daughter passed away 15 years ago. When Gabriella spews words of protest against the agreement, we can sense just how strained their non-relationship is. Clearly there are ominous dark secrets in this family.
A Family Fakes it for Television
Lifetime
Early on, viewers may wonder if it is Birdie’s pride that will be the downfall of her success or if, instead, it will be Gabriella’s sin. While Birdie does step in to help, she also makes it clear that it is in order to preserve the reputation of the family. Gabriella, on the contrary, is initially so resentful toward Birdie that she says she would rather stay in jail than agree to the deal.
This is especially the case when it is made clear to Gabriella that she will have to work at the bakery and pay rent to stay with Birdie. To complicate her bitterness, Gabriella reveals that she and her father, along with her paternal grandparents, have struggled financially while she feels Birdie could have helped.
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Next, thanks to Gabriella, we see a real side introduction of Birdie’s son. Gabe is a co-reality show star with Birdie and presents himself on television as a devoted and loving son. Gabriella’s accidental introduction to her uncle is contrary to what viewers have seen thus far. He is in Birdie’s basement hosting a lust-filled gambling party while thinking his mother is still out of town.
Cue the truth about reality shows. They don’t always show what’s real because showing what’s real isn’t always the goal for ratings. Soon, even Gabriella is caught up in the duality of living her life on and off of television.
Stephanie Mills Gives a Great Performance
Lifetime
Despite her acclaimed six-year portrayal as Dorothy in the seven-time Tony Award-winning Broadway run of The Wiz, Stephanie Mills was passed up for the opportunity to continue her role in the film adaptation 45 years ago. Filmmakers chose Diana Ross despite Mills’ popularity and her hopes to be cast.
With the release of Pride, fans can finally get to see Mills in an on-screen leading role. While fans of The Wiz loved Ms. Ross’ classic portrayal as Dorothy, and Mills even applauded her, viewers will see her performance in Pride and wish that Mills had been able to segue into film sooner than now.
At 66 years old, she looks vibrant and refreshed, and like she is just getting started with many more films to come. Mills’ presence on screen and her voice — even when she is not singing — are equally distinct and enthralling. While everyone loves her wonderful singing voice, viewers will also enjoy watching her on-screen acting and listening to the lyrical flow of her dialogue.
Why Pride Is a Must-Watch for Lifetime Fans
Lifetime
To add more magnetism to Pride’s fictional world is Thomas Miles in the role of Gabe. Also known as “Nephew Tommy,” a real-life radio co-host from The Steve Harvey Morning Show known for pranking the show’s listeners, Miles is seamless in his performance. As a testament to his talent, viewers will, just like Birdie, find themselves lost in Gabe’s charm and jolted when his facade wanes.
Keeya King, most recently known for her role as (teen) Akiliah on the TV series Yellowjackets, is excellent in the role of Gabriella and is the movie’s ultimate reason to watch. Whereas Gabriella is instantly and convincingly unlikeable, viewers will soon root for her in her unexpectedly psychological battle. How does one align with and be there to protect a grandmother who had basically abandoned her until now?
Why New Viewers May Be Frustrated (but Loyal Fans Won’t)
Lifetime
It’s vital to the plot that Gabriella goes to live with her grandmother, but viewers may also wonder why, after all these years, Birdie chooses to offer assistance so easily. She appears to be at the height of her success and to possess enough compassion that it makes one wonder why she waited so long to be there for her granddaughter whom she seems to want the best for. There is no obvious gain for her to take on such a commitment after one unexpected phone call.
This aspect of the plot, as true to the series, works out in her favor as we learn more about the behind-the-scenes of her success. Viewers new to The Seven Deadly Sins series of films on Lifetime, however, may feel that a more deliberate reason for her quick decision may have been more satisfying.
Lifetime
The plot is, at times, a tad predictable, but fans of the series don’t tune in for surprising plot twists. To satisfy the craving for suspense that many viewers will have, however, a new layer of information is steadily revealed about each of the characters. This unraveling keeps viewers thinking in an intriguing ping-pong rhythm. Maybe so. Maybe not. Every single character’s actual motivation comes into question in the viewer’s mind at one point or another. Any predictability, therefore, doesn’t carry enough weight to prevent viewers from watching at full and interested attention.
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Gabriella is an adult, however at times, in fact most of the time, her character’s behavior comes across as a teenager in need of supervision. Some viewers might find this a bit implausible or frustrating, but it works for the plot and most will accept that.
Definitively, pride is a feeling of extreme satisfaction from one’s own achievement; however, it is not easy to determine which character is actually in a battle with their pride during this movie. While Birdie is at times self-centered, she, in fact, seems to genuinely just prefer to keep family and personal business private despite being on a reality show. Viewers may or may not see her struggle as having enough to do with pride.
Why The Seven Deadly Sins Movies Are Loved by Lifetime Fans
Lifetime
The subject of each installment in the series is one of seven deadly sins and every movie’s plot is enveloped in familiar territory while delivering the messages. Family. Good versus not good. Choices and consequences. Thoughtful plots worthy of discussion. Loyal viewers want the proven formula because they are invested in it and producers have clearly made efforts to stay on brand and deliver.
The franchise also guarantees the best possible performances from well-known public figures. As a must-watch for fans of the series, Pride is no exception. Like the soul food restaurant in the film, Pride is comfort food. Pride: A Seven Deadly Sins Story is produced by Neshama Entertainment, T.D. Jakes Enterprises, DNA Media Group, and RobinHood Productions in association with MarVista Entertainment, and premieres on Saturday, April 8 at 8/7c.
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