Pariah
Sunshine, February 29, 2012
Movie #10 for 2012
Mothers and daughters, eh?
Alike (ADEPERO ODUYE, pictured) is smart and creative and young and queer. Her mum (KIM WAYANS) doesn’t yet know about the gay bit, but is overbearing and freaking out that Alike doesn’t dress girly enough. In the course of the film Alike journeys from queerly curious to gay. Alike’s mum journeys from controlling to sociopathic.
Alike is the centre of the film’s narrative as Oduye’s performance (vulnerable, open and compelling) is the centre of the film. The story is worthy and is not told badly by writer/director DEE REES, but there is little here to surprise.
