{2jtab: Movie Review}

Like its main character, Dee Rees’s Pariah is a fickle chameleon of a film, bearing a skin of many colors reflecting the viewer’s own world view. The coming-of-age drama will likely have a difficult time finding a wide audience though as some will perceive it a film with an ardent African-American context, while to others it will just be a “lesbian film.”  What a shame we pigeonhole, as many will miss a great film with brilliant performances that weave a rich fabric full of messages of hope, acceptance, and familial love.

Adepero Oduye stars as Alike (pronounced Ah-LEE-kay), the titular pariah of the film, quietly but firmly trying to embrace her identity as a lesbian.  She’s a 17-year-old African-American woman living with her parents Audrey and Arthur (Kim Wayans and Charles Pernall, respectively) and younger sister Sharonda (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. She’s a natural poetic talent, and is a promising young high school student.

As Alike struggles to discover her own sexual identity, best friend, out lesbian Laura (Pernell Walker), introduces Alike to the area’s gay clubs, a world more reflective of her burgeoning self-image. Even there, the androgynous Alike feels a bit out of place; kind of in the middle, neither butch nor femme. The closer she gets to home, the more uncomfortable Alike becomes, changing from baggy pants and baseball cap, to earrings and pretty blouses. She Molds herself to an outward image that pleases those around her. A true pariah in every sense of the word.

But there are other pariahs. And the film itself is somewhat of an outcast as well. In fact, in a testament to the thoroughness of Rees’s script, each of the characters is an outsider in that they all have their own fears, desires, strengths, weaknesses, and isolations. Alike’s father, a police detective and philandering husband has difficulties connecting with buds and workmates, as depicted in a few awkward barbershop scenes. Alike’s mother clearly doesn’t have the daughter she wants, and subsequently presses Alike to make the acquaintance of a colleague’s daughter, Bina (Aasha Davis), who proves to be refreshing to socialize with.

The look and feel of Rees’s film becomes a significant character with Reese owing references to the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning to get the tone of the characters just right. The director plays upon the chameleon-like characteristics of Alike with the camera movement and production design that paints the star with whatever colors are predominant in the moment. Riding the bus, she’s green; in the nightclub, she’s purple, in the bathroom, yellow; and she becomes vibrant sunlight at the end as the film plays to its defiant climax.

The music in Pariah plays an important role as well, with music editor Houston Snyder strengthening the voice of each character with selections from a number of independent artists like Sparlha Swa and Tamar-kali to Honeychild Coleman.  Overtones of acoustic soul surround Alike, Bina emanates punk, and Laura is all hip-hop. Until Alike finally discovers her own expression, the audience experiences a clash of musical styles, but as she blossoms, the aural sensations meld into a beautifully orchestrated medley of styles.

Pariah is an important film that will hopefully connect with a lot of gay teens looking to confirm their identities. Newcomer Rees hits the nail on the head with her hard examination of a subject considered untouchable in many black, Christian families who look at lesbianism as nothing short of an unpardonable sin. While her message of unconditional love is unlikely to sway minds and win hearts, it just may open up the topic for conversation. And that in itself would be a win.

{2jtab: Film Details}

MPAA Rating: R for sexual content and language.
Runtime: 86 mins.
Director: Dee Rees
Writer: Dee Rees:
Cast: Adepero Oduye; Pernell Walker; Aasha Davis; Charles Parnell; Sahra Mellesse; Kim Wayans
Genre: Drama
Tagline: Who do you become when you can't be yourself?
Memorable Movie Quote: "I am not running. I am choosing."
Distributor: Focus Features
Offical Site: www.focusfeatures.com/pariah
Release Date: December 28, 2011 (limited); January 6, 2012 (wider)
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: April 24, 2012

Synopsis: A world premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, the contemporary drama is the feature debut of writer/director Dee Rees. Adepero Oduye portrays Alike, a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian.

{2jtab: Blu-ray Review}

Component Grades Movie Blu-ray Disc Blu-ray Experience

Blu-ray Details:

Available on Blu-ray - April 24, 2012
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: 50GB Blu-ray Disc; Single disc (1 BD)

Supplements:

Commentary:

• None

Special Features:

• Dee Rees: A Director's Style
• A Walk in Brooklyn
• Trying Out Identity: Pariah's Wardrobe

{2jtab: Trailer}

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