'Pariah' (11)

'Pariah' (R) (11) (3 1/2 STARS)

Written and Directed by Dee Rees
Starring: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell

"Pariah" is the type of movie you don't see anymore and it is refreshing, extremely well acted and bold. There used to be movies that dealt with young black women trying to grow up in a quickly changing World. Heck I don't even see these types of movies dealing with white or hispanic girls either. There used to be some strong movies like this in the 80's and now with "Pariah" we get something even more rare. A movie that deals with a young black woman who is a lesbian and has to struggle with the the task of coming out to her parents. You have to treat a movie like this in the right way without any false moves and "Pariah" is almost perfect.

"Pariah" is a very sensitive and quietly powerful movie with some incredible acting that might fly under the radar. The captivating and wonderful Adepero Oduye plays Alike or Lee who has totally accepted her lesbianism. She hangs out with her best friend Laura and they frequent a lesbian strip bar located by a liquor store. Her mother suspects that her daughter is a lesbian so she tries to set her up with a friend's daughter from church to be a different influence on Lee. Her father is a police officer and he is blind to his daughter's sexual orientation because she is Daddy's little girl. The story of "Pariah" is dealt with in a sensitive and thoughtful manner and that is where it gets it's power.

The greatness of this movie starts with the acting and it is not only just the incredible performance by Adepero Oduye. Oduye is a revelation and she is natural and fierce showing how vulnerable she can be but also how strong she can be. It is a commanding performance and you never see her acting, it is a lived in performance. Another revelation is the performance by Kim Wayans of the famous comedy family The Wayans. Kim Wayans has given some great comedic performances in the televison classic "In Living Color" but she proves she can be an amazing dramatic actress as well with her great performance here. There is a scene at the end of this movie between mother and daughter that broke my heart due to Wayan's and Oduye's powerful performances.

There are also great supporting performances by Pernell Walker as Lee's best friend Laura. They strike up a believable friendship and Walker is also a natural. Laura is a lesbian also and she has her own powerful scene as she visits the mother who left her and her sister on their own when Laura came out that also broke my heart. I also think Charles Parnell is a real find and very solid as Lee's father Arthur and Lee and Arthur also have a powerful and touching scene near the end.

"Pariah" reminds me of the movie "Precious" in it's frankness and thoughtfulness. It is not as forceful as "Precious" but in it's own quiet way it is almost as great. It is a different type of coming of age and settling in your own skin movie but just as important. This is a movie that is a must see for any young girl struggling with her sexual identity as for any teenage girl actually. It is also one of the best movies of the year and something everyone should see.