Rare is the genuine film, where all I see and hear makes me think, "yes, this is people." Rarer still is the film that conveys such reality with beauty.
Pariah is such a film, a classic yet refreshing coming-of-age story that follows Alike, a smart and sensitive 17-year-old girl in Brooklyn, as she deals with the confusion and heartache of being a young lesbian. For Alike, the difficulty inherent in coming into oneself as a teenager is compounded by the familial and societal pressures for her to be a feminine, "normal" girl. The actress Adepero Oduye imbues Alike's story with beautiful truth, as do the actors who play her parents, sister, and best friend. This is a film that uplifts with realistic integrity: while the world often proves disappointing, the strength and beauty of this one young woman provides hope.
{The cinematography is as beautiful as the story it supports. All photo stills (c) Focus Features.}
Anyone who has struggled with love, identity, expectations, friendship - basically, everyone - would empathize with Alike's story. Pariah is currently available as a Netflix instant play. My advice is to watch the film immediately.
