(Photo courtesy of Focus Features)
Director of ‘Pariah’ Dee Rees didn’t take the typical route that most in her field followed. The suburban Tennessee native went to college to study business and had a steady job working for Procter and Gamble. However, Rees took a gamble and went back to school, this time to study film at New York University.
At NYU, Rees wrote the short film “Pariah,” a coming of age story about a lesbian teen growing up in Brooklyn. The short received a lot of attention and eventually was expanded into a feature length film. After five years in the making Ree’s “Pariah” has finally made it ways to the big screen.
“Pariah” revolves around Alike, a Brooklyn native struggling with her sexuality. By day, Alike is a textbook tomboy clad in baggy jeans, fitted caps and oversized shirts. By night, Alike tones down her wardrobe and transforms into the feminine daughter her rigged conservative mother expects.
Playing Alike is this year’s biggest breakout star, Adepero Oduye. Oduye was on her way to Cornell’s pre-med program before being cast in the movie shines in her first film role.
Alike’s mother is played Kim Wayans. Wayans, a mainstay in the comic genre breaks away from her comedic roots as the actress takes a refreshing turn for the dramatic.
Together, Oduye and Wayans are a heavy hitting acting duo.
The bulk of “Pariah” takes the audience through Alike’s struggle to find who she really is. Gifted with the talent of writing, Alike expresses herself through her poetry (written beautifully by Rees herself).
A surprisingly stellar performance is delivered by Pernell Walker, who plays Laura, Alike’s more masculine friend.
In a way, Laura is Alike’s teacher, guiding her friend through the ups and downs of being a gay teen.
Not many films today feel nearly as human as “Pariah.”
Rees crafts a masterful story that is as honest as it is heartwarming.
Perhaps the story feels so genuine because it is loosly based on the sturggle Rees went through when she came out to her parents.
Not only is “Pariah” easy to watch, but thanks to cinematographer Bradford Young, it’s beautiful to look at as well. Young uses the motifs of lights and shadows to paint a world beyond the film itself.
Considering the pressing subject of “Pariah,” Dee Ree’s passion project is one of the year’s best films. With phenomenal acting, good camerwork and a compelling story line, “Pariah” should not be missed.
