Pariah

4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
In Dee Rees's inspiring film, seventeen-year-old Alike strives to get through adolescence with grace, humor, and tenacity - sometimes succeeding, sometimes not, but always moving forward.
  • Starring: Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker
  • Directed by: Dee Rees
  • Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes
  • Release year: 2011
  • Studio: Focus Features
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Product Details
Synopsis: In Dee Rees's inspiring film, seventeen-year-old Alike strives to get through adolescence with grace, humor, and tenacity - sometimes succeeding, sometimes not, but always moving forward.
Starring: Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker
Supporting actors: Aasha Davis, Kim Wayans
Directed by: Dee Rees
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 2011
Studio: Focus Features
MPAA Rating: Rated R for sexual content and language
ASIN: B007RNXXSE
Rights & Requirements
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: December 28, 2011
  • MPAA: Rated R for sexual content and language
  • Production Company: Chicken And Egg Pictures, MBK Entertainment, Northstar Pictures, Pariah Feature, Sundial Pictures
  • Filming Locations: Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

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Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
(46)
4.3 out of 5 stars
See all 46 customer reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Intense family drama March 11, 2012
By Paul Allaer TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
"Pariah" (90 min.) brings the story of Alike (played by Adepero Oduye), a 17 yr. old girl living with her younger sister and her mom and dad. Alike is discovering that she likes girls better than guys. Alike's mom picks up on the fact that Alike is going through a "tomboy" phase, and is urging dad to do something about it. Dad, however, has his own problems (the movie shows a short phone call that one might interpret he has another lady in his world) and besides (as he says) "Alike is always daddy's girl". Needless to say, a lot of tension builds up between mom and dad and Alike. To reveal more from the plot would spoil the pleasure of watching this movie, you'll just have to see how it all plays out.

A lot has been made of the fact that this is a movie about a "black teenage girl coming out". I guess I really don't see at all what the relevance is, if any, of the race or color in this movie. What I saw was an intense family drame, set in contemporary Brooklyn, New York. It's not even so much a "lesbian" movie. I came away impressed by the fact that this is writer-director Dee Rees' debute film, as the movie certainly doesn't feel like the work of a novice.

There are a number of acting performances worth noting, none more so of course than Adepero Oduye in the role of Alike, but also Kim Wayans as Alike's mom and Charles Parnell as Alike's dad. Last but not least, there was plenty of great music featured in the movie (unfortunately the credits went by so quickly I barely had time to register all the music that was featured, although I did notice that Reema Major has 5 or so songs credited). In all, I thought that "Pariah" was well worth it, and I would readily recommend this if you are looking for something good to watch outside the Hollywood commercial mainstream.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Striking Debute March 6, 2012
By Art Lover
Format:DVD
Pariah is a powerful first film by an emerging director, Dee Reese, well acted by a wonderful ensemble of actors, and beautifully and evocatively shot by Director of Photography Bradfford Young. Certainly the story is one that is not widely present within contemporary cinematic culture, but the film stands on its own as a powerful piece of work, not merely a sociological footnote. The true brilliance of this movie is the way in which the visual experience wraps itself around the film's narrative. The camera work alone is truly groundbreaking and original, creating a consistently shallow sense of visual space that directs and redirects our attention in ways that allows us to experience the world intimately through the eyes of the young protagonist.

This is a film that should have received a wider screening than it did. That it was critically hailed was well deserved. That it is now available on DVD is truly cause for celebration. Buy this film, and keep your eyes and heart wide open while watching it.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars A Lesbian Movie From the Black Perspective May 3, 2012
By ROFLChopper
Format:DVD
A nicely written and acted tale of a 17-year-old girl by the name of Alike who goes through the hardships of being a lesbian teen and dealing with her ongoing homelife. As a black lesbian I'm happy to see there is a black film aimed in a serious way on a LGBT-subject without comic relief. Adepero Oduye, an actress I never heard of until this film, challenges her character well in this heartfelt role. Kim Wayans, someone who most of us grew up laughing at thanks to 'In Living Color' also plays the overprotective mother of Alike and also deals with a struggling marriage. Though this is a slow burn movie, the storytelling does a good enough job getting it's point across. I liked it and hoped many will be open in taking a look at Pariah.

Rating - 3.5/5
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite
This exquisitely beautiful tale is the most honest and realistic portrayal of a young woman of courage and strength I have ever seen. Read more
Published 1 day ago by N. Sealey
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
You have to see this one it is dealing with life and what we go through as a family in some family out there so watch it and see what happen
Published 1 day ago by darlene fleming
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful film
Beautiful, beautiful movie. Could not be more enthused about the insight pertaining to African diasporic LGBTQ life. Could not have been more enthused.
Published 2 days ago by Danni
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
This is a truly touching urban drama that features a wonderful storyline, a tremendous cast, skillful cinematography, and artful direction. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Debrielle Jacques
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting
I loved the provocative nature of this film. The cinematography was stellar. The cast was believable and the story was moving beyond words. Read more
Published 8 days ago by M. Lipsey
4.0 out of 5 stars Moving debut...
Alike (Adepero Oduye), is a Brooklyn teenager on the cusp of coming out to her parents (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell). Read more
Published 11 days ago by Lesbian Film Guide
5.0 out of 5 stars yippi!
great movie... i really enjoyed it... I used it to cross reference a paper I had to write... It didn't get much publicity
Published 13 days ago by Neenbug
5.0 out of 5 stars A surprising tear jerker...
Everyone with a gay friend or family member should see this movie. I guess that means that everyone should see it...
Published 14 days ago by Debby Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars another collection must have...
I enjoyed this movie so much. It shows a view in the life of a very intelligent african american closeted teen. Read more
Published 24 days ago by kuntryboi
1.0 out of 5 stars thumbs down
Negative stars. This was predictable, stereotypical, and a waste of time and money. I wouldn't recommend this if it were free and served on a gold platter with a side of free cash.
Published 1 month ago by mia
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