PARIAH
(R)
MOVIE: **1/2 (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
“Pariah” fell victim to this, and it never clicked with any major group. Part of this, I suppose, is because the subject matter isn’t terribly relateable to anyone not in these specific situations. Such is the challenge in making a film about a young lesbian growing up in the projects in Brooklyn.
The story centers around Alike, a Brooklyn high school girl struggling with her own sexuality. She faces discrimination and bullying at school and rejection from her parents. As she tries to come to terms with who she is, she experiments sexually but also faces cold realities associated with this. It’s a struggle for her which consumes her life.
Like “Albert Nobbs,” Pariah deals with issues of identity and sexuality, though in a vastly different way. “Pariah” isn’t my go-to type of film, but it was interesting nonetheless. Shot in a very hands-off style, the film plays heavy handed at times, especially with the bigoted nature of the parents, but it takes a look at some issues Hollywood is still too scared to tackle.
The issue of sexual identity is still shunned in Hollywood, in many ways. Gay characters on television and in the movies are often caricatures of stereotypes, daring enough to show the existence of this segment of the population but never quite portraying the people as actual people. If you question this, look at the gay characters on television, including shows like “Ugly Betty,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Modern Family.” They put the demographic out there but still make them flamboyant as ever.
In this sense, “Pariah” is an important film because it offers a realistic portrayal of someone dealing with issues of personal sexuality. Unfortunately, it’s not a very relateable film at all. I’m not an African American. I’m not living in the Brooklyn ghetto. I’m not a lesbian. It’s extremely hard for me to relate to the characters presented because it is so steeped in its own demographic.
Still, it’s an important film that unfortunately has been ignored.
The Blu-ray comes with a couple special features, including short featurettes “Dee Rees: A Director’s Style,” “A Walk in Brooklyn” and “Trying Out Identity: Pariah’s Wardrobe.” There’s also access to BD-Live and the pocketBLU app.
The Brooklyn ghetto? She lived in a great part of Brooklyn and her family was pretty well off. Or were you not paying attention? The movie’s demographic was “human”. Having to hide who you are from society and your family and finding the confidence to come out and be who you are, is something that is very relatable.
Think about movies you have seen with characters that were hard to relate too and so far away from most humans; such as aliens, career criminals, hitmen, superheroes, monsters, people in the future, people in the past…..etc. These films may have had unrelatable characters, but that didn’t mean they were bad films(2 1/2 stars). Think about how you were able to relate to all of those characters from far off worlds, time periods, careers and species, but you have a hard time relating to a gay kid in 2012. What do you think that says about you as a person? The fact that you call this film important and realistic, yet give it 2 1/2 stars because you can’t relate to the protagonist; simply displays the level of criticism your mind is capable of serving. Uninformed subjectivity at it’s finest.
It’s apparent that you aren’t very educated and you’re from a place that isn’t that diverse or cultured, and this review is a product of that.
Yes, you’re brilliant. Nothing like reducing the argument to personal attacks to make your point. Agree to disagree on this one.
Well, let’s see…. The only reason you cite for your rating is that it was not relatable. You misunderstood and believed she lived in the ghetto. And you misspelled the word relatable. Some of what I said may have come off as a bit nasty; but with such a lazily thought out and written review, I’d say it was pretty accurate and you deserved it. Agree to disagree is fine, but only if your opinion is informed. Perhaps you should cite actual evidence and use solid reasoning in your critiques or just stop all together.
Well, first, the rating is 2 1/2 out of 5, which is just on the side of negative. Second, I stand behind not being able to relate to the character and setting. Sorry if that offends you, but that’s the way it is. Conversely, a film like “Blue Is the Warmest Color” takes place in a different country and culture, as well as being in a different language, yet has some similar themes. I found that far more relateable than “Pariah.” You’re going to have to accept the fact that some people have a differing opinion than yours. “Pariah” just wasn’t relateable to me. I don’t know what else to say. Arguing about whether someone finds something relateable or not is a fruitless, narrow-minded endeavor. Let’s just agree to disagree on this one because, as is the nature of movie reviews, it’s all about opinion.