The Film
At the end of the film Pariah, I found myself crying like a baby. Because coming of age can be so cruel, so heartbreaking and so promising all at once -- and this film manages to convey all of those things to an absolute tee.
Before you accuse me of being emotional over young adult drivel, know that Pariah is unlike any coming-of-age stories we've seen before. First of all, our main character Alike (who is played to absolute perfection by Adepero Oduye) is a young, African-American lesbian coming to terms with her sexuality. And even if you haven't been in her shoes, there is something so real and so relatable about her.
Maybe it's because she tries so hard. However, being a smart, talented woman just isn't enough for the world around Alike. The fact that she is a young, shy and gay seems to overshadow all of her accomplishments. Slowly getting comfortable in her own skin, Alike is unable to fully come out to her affectionate, oblivious-by-choice father (Charles Parnell) and uber-religious mother (Kim Wayans). Naturally, everyone has their suspicions, and the film watches on as everything comes to a head as Alike gets ready to branch out on her own.
The coming-of-age story has been done to death, but there's something so heartbreaking and so wonderful about Pariah. Writer/director Dee Rees drew on some of her own personal experiences for the film, which probably adds to its heartfelt authenticity. It's an absolute triumph in every sense of the word, mostly due to Oduye's stunning lead performance.
Need to take another peek at this young woman's tale? Check out David Kempler's theatrical review of Pariah.
The Picture
Pariah is filmed in sort of a documentary style, with a bit of shaky cam thrown in for good measure. While it works for the film, it doesn't really allow this 1.85:1 transfer to focus in on too many details. That's not to say they are completely absent. Close-up shots are pretty wonderful and for such a low-budget film, this one has more than its share of great imagery. The colors fare much better. For the most part, they are dark, but there are plenty of standouts. Reds and blues pop off the screen, and daytime shots feature a ton of bright, realistic tones.
The Sound
This release features a lone DTS-HD Master Audio track, which does a great job with the film's dialogue. Every word is crystal-clear, with surrounding sounds faintly showing up in the rear speakers throughout the film. Faintly is a key word, too. Considering the parties, the school scenes, and the Brooklyn backdrop, there could have been a little more. However, most of the action hovers around the front speakers.
The Extras
Pariah features a trio of brief, disappointing extras. There's no word about executive producer Spike Lee or the film's humble beginnings as a short film. It also would have been nice to have something lengthy about director Dee Rees, or even a Rees-helmed commentary. Instead, location, wardrobe, and the approach to the film are condensed into three separate shorts that run a total of 7 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Pariah is surprising on so many levels. It should be commended that writer/director Dee Rees was able to create something so new and so unique in a genre that's so familiar. Even more impressive is the performance by Adepero Oduye. Like her inspiration, this actress is a relative unknown. Hopefully, Pariah will change that. The Blu-ray could have been a little better, but this is a wonderful film that should not be missed.
Product Details
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