In the case of director Sunu Gonera’s first film, “”Pride”” isn’t of the gay variant – instead, it depicts the accomplishments of a team of troubled athletes. In contrast to the heart-warmingly familiar football or hockey story of surmounting a crippling injury or throwing a touchdown pass and winning the Super Bowl, the film deals with an aquatic group event: marathon swimming. Academy Award-nominated “”Hustle and Flow”” star Terrance Howard and a grim old Bernie Mac face off in this depiction of a determined black coach dragging his gang of rough-neck Philly thugs to the state swimming championships, while instilling purpose in their miserable lives.

Unfortunately, when the movie does manage to escape from the banal, it’s only half-hearted. When coach Ellis (Howard) encounters opposition over the placement of a practice lap pool, his alter ego punishes him by urinating in the pool. The swimming drama is a small departure from the traditional – perhaps appealing to the recreational paddler. But despite a few tweaks, it is still suspiciously similar to that football tearjerker for the competition-craving old-timer. If you think watching a first baseman chewing sunflower seeds is painful, just wait until “”Pride”” gets started with the lap scenes.