Pariah (2011)

I love this movie so much

Wonderful character development!

Great Film overall

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It was made in 2011 by Director Dee Rees. She had made a short movie on the same character and subject in 2007. Because that short film of 28 minutes won 8 international awards Dee Rees got inspired to make it a full length feature film. It took 4 years to get to the finish line to release the movie - the finances, the actors, the longer scripts and the rehearsals under tight budgetary constraints.But in the end, what we see is a beautiful coming to age film of a young teenage girl Alike (played fabulously by stunning beautiful Adepero Oduye - her first break) who evolves to find her sexuality and heart break within a dis-functional family (any surprises there?) with a religious strict Catholic mother Audrey (played to perfection by Kim Wayans) Audrey is a regular caring mother who is unhappy and scared about her daughter Alike's behavior as a tom-boy and about Alike's friend, thus she introduces Alike to one of her colleagues daughter - who invariably initiates Alike into a same-sex love and turns her down breaking Alike's heart into pieces. But with this experience Alike realizes her sexuality and during a confrontation with her parents - she declares "I am a lesbian" to the utter dis-belief of Audrey who beats her up.Alike leaves the house forever and joins a English literature program - breaking free and finding LOVE.*******Director Dee Rees who has written and directed this movie has worked very hard and it shows in every frame on the screen.The scenes are so well written that start at a point and lead to a final conclusion that takes the movie forward while introducing each character traits to fill in the gaps of the journey of Alike.No wonder the film bagged 15 international awards and 28 nominations in various categories - mainly director, actress (in main lead) and actress in supporting role and best movie.I do not like the movies with hand-held camera - but Dee Ree and her editor has done a brilliant job in cutting and editing the pieces with smoothness.The atmosphere of New York's black downtown area is taken superbly with the spaces in school and evening hang outs in clubs reflecting the real culture of new millennium teenagers.The cinematography and music are excellent. Watching Pariah today gives us the glimpse of coming to age of Hollywood cinema - which I am sure laid path to another gem of a movie Moonlight (coming to age boy's movie on gay subject) to win best movie Oscar at 2017 Academy Awards.I would highly recommend this movie for everyone who is sensitive to the LGBTQREI group. Take a few tissues - it is a emotionally powerful tear-jerker.We can't resist to be part of the journey of each characters and their flaws and still LOVE them... SUPERB.My rating for the movie is 7.25 out of 10

A difficult subject for most families and the Black Community has it really tough. This is a coming of gay age movie, packs a punch. The movie opens with tough rap lyrics and with the uncomfortableness of that you are transported into what Alike feels, unsure. Alike knows she is, but is a virgin, and at the point we meet her she wants more than just knowing, she wants a relationship. Her best friend, out and rejected by her own mother (and Alike's mother), she tries to help Alike navigate this landscape. The movie introduces us to characters we've not seen before. Alike's father, Arthur (brilliantly played by Charles Parnell), in this unhappy marriage, must provide for the daughters he loves and the wife he hates. He wrestles knowing there is something is not right with Alike. He makes his choice to love her. Audrey (Kim Wayans), Alike's mother, struggles because she knows, but doesn't want to know. Her disgust of the lifestyle cannot be condoned or tolerated. Kim Wayans, captures this Black mother at her worst, she is raw, sad, and we can even empathize with her. Her decision in the end without compromise, her daughter is a stranger to her who she will pray for. Adepero Oduye as Alike, is vulnerable, open, sad, and in the end POWERFUL. She makes a choice and is willing to live with that choice. When Alike tells her father "I am not running, I am choosing", sums it all up. Choose to live, with who and what you are.

"It's not a phase, there's nothing wrong with me." Teenager Alike (Oduye) is struggling with who she is. At home she tries to be the woman her mother and father want her to be. Away from home she tries to be herself. Leading the double life is starting to wear "Li" down and she uses her writing to help release the emotions out that she holds. To be honest I wasn't really looking forward to this one. The preview made the movie look OK but I was still expecting it to be a little boring. I was dead wrong. Almost from the beginning you feel a connection with "Li" and throughout the movie that only grows. The acting is excellent in this and Kim Wayans (yes, that Kim Wayans) give a performance that is almost better the Mo'Nique's in "Precious". This movie is comparable to that one in a lot of ways. I will say that this movie is easier to watch and in my opinion better the "Precious". Very moving and real. One of the bigger surprises I have had watching a movie lately. Overall, if you liked "Precious" you will love this movie. I give it an A.

My stepmother and I went to a free screening of this movie at the Angelika Theater. I didn't know what to expect except that I knew the girl was a lesbian.This flick features TRULY gifted and believable actors...from the main character, Alike, and her pains and trials, to her young sister in high school and the parents...OMGSH, the parents...and her friend Laura was incredible too. The characters are juicy and rounded; you find yourself truly interested in the people they're portraying to be, and in how they feel. It's almost like you come to know them.Here, folks, is what to expect from the movie Pariah: this is an emotional film. It's got a lot of humor and heart, and it's got sadness and pain, too. We all remember growing up and trying to find out who we are and what we are attracted to; Pariah will remind you of what that felt like. You will emote as they do and be drawn in to the story right out of the box. Trust me...this is a movie you do NOT want to miss. Two thumbs WAY UP! :)