“It Gets Better” is the name of an Internet campaign created to let bullied gay teenagers know that their lives will improve once they graduate high school. The project, with heartfelt videos created by celebrities and everyday folk, was a response to a number of suicides committed by unhappy teens. Watching “Pariah,” I wanted to sit its protagonist down at a computer and force her to watch a few of those videos. All you need to do, I wanted to say, is wait things out another year: Once you leave home, you can really begin to live.
It’s not that simple, of course. The craving for parental approval is a basic human desire, one that doesn’t disappear once we become adults. And the community in which 17-year-old Alike (Adepero Oduye) finds comfort isn’t an easy place to belong, either. The young black lesbian is sure of her sexual identity — but is confused by the role-playing the sisterhood seems to demand of its members.
| On screen |
| ‘Pariah’ |
| 3 out of 4 stars |
| » Stars: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Aasha Davis |
| » Director: Dee Rees |
| » Rated: R for sexual content and language |
| » Running time: 86 minutes |
It’s that nuanced treatment of an often-sensationalized subject that makes “Pariah” such an impressive debut. Dee Rees wrote her first film as she was coming out herself; Spike Lee served as a mentor and is an executive producer of the final product. It’s a well-made film, one that won the cinematography award at Sundance. But it’s the give-it-all-you’ve-got acting and moving script that really shine here.
Alike is smart and talented; the budding poet should be the star of her Brooklyn neighborhood. But at school and home alike, you can see her unsuccessful attempts to blend into the background. Her religious mother and tough-guy father know their daughter likes other girls, but can’t bring themselves to admit it, let alone accept it. Alike doesn’t make it easy on them, either. She lashes out constantly, even at her best friend, the fellow lesbian Laura (Pernell Walker).
“Pariah” is a painful film to watch — as painful as growing up was for most of us. But there’s enough humor and love here to leaven the sadness. Oduye is a rising star herself, even brighter than the character she plays. But not quite as bright as her creator. Dee Rees might have had a tough time coming out — but only personally. Professionally, her first film makes her one to watch, even if, like her alter ego, she’d sometimes rather not be seen.
