This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
"Pariah"U.S. Dramatic competition*** 1/2Most dramas don't get as emotionally authentic and character-specific as "Pariah." Writer-director Dee Rees tells a thoughtful, heartbreaking tale centering on Alike (pronounced ah-LEE-kay), a 17-year-old girl realizing she's a lesbian. Alike (Adepero Oduye, in a breakout performance) deals with her parents (Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell) and with finding her tribe among Brooklyn's lesbian community. The characters are sketched out precisely, as Rees dodges the cliches of coming-of-age dramas to create a tender portrait of a young woman finding her own way.
"Pariah" plays again: Friday, Jan. 21, at 8:30 a.m. at the Library Center Theatre, Park City; Saturday, Jan. 22, at noon at the Sundance resort; Sunday, Jan. 23, at 12:30 p.m. at the Rose Wagner Center, Salt Lake City; Wednesday, Jan. 26, at noon at Holiday Village Cinema IV, Park City; and Friday, Jan. 28, at 12:15 p.m., at Eccles Theatre, Park City.
- Sean P. Means