Film Review: Honest, Precisely Acted ‘Pariah’ is Passionate Filmmaking

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CHICAGO – The exploration of culture, so tied to class and social standing, is not explored too often in mainstream films. In 2009, there was “Precious,” and this year the stand out is “Pariah.” Writer/director Dee Rees formulates a passionate story about a racial/social/orientation fish out of water.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

What is beautiful about the film is its intensity, and how far the ensemble cast was willing to go in a narrative regarding an African American teenage girl who wants to come out as a lesbian. Everybody in the cast, from leads to one-liners, had a real truth to them, there was a palpable desire to tell this story properly, and without sensationalism. The actress who portrays the conflicted teenager was especially strong, and gave a dignity and purpose to her character that made her heroic.

Alike (Adepero Oduye) is a middle class African American teenager in Brooklyn, with a working mother (Kim Wayans), a police officer father (Charles Parnell) and a younger sister Saronda (Sahra Meliesse). When we meet Alike, she is dressed like a male, in a strange nightclub that obviously caters to lesbians. Her best friend Laura (Pernell Walker) is similarly dressed, and it becomes obvious that she is the conduit for Alike into this new world. Alike, however, lives a double life, for she has not come out to her family.

With their suspicions raised, Alike’s Mom attempts to break the kinship between her daughter and Laura. She introduces Alike to Bina (Aasha Davis), a neighborhood girl, and to Alike’s surprise they hit it off. The barriers begin to fall in the teen’s double life, and even her new friend Bina is involved. The family starts to unravel, the more they stray from the truth, and all the relationships at the tipping point are in danger of breaking apart.

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Pariah”

Alike (Adepero Oduye) Bonds with her Mother (Kim Wayans) in ‘Pariah’ Photo credit: Focus Features

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Pariah”