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Sundance 2011: Pariah Movie Review

Brendan Walsh — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:25:15 +0000

If the rest of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival is as promising as its opening night offering Pariah, then this is going to be an exceptional year for new directing talent. The film, developed from Dee Rees’ short film accepted to 2007′s festival, is an African-American-lesbian-coming-of-age story. On paper, that may look like the kind of film which is an amalgamation of clichés among marginal independent film communities, but it is not. Pariah is a work of great sensitivity, featuring an ensemble of relatively unknown actors whose nuanced performances hit home in a way that will affect anyone who’s ever been a teenager or a part of a family. Although it is comparable to Precious, but with any luck, it will overshadow it–even without the help of Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey. To learn why, continue after the jump…

The Players:

Director/Writer – Dee Rees
Executive Producer – Spike Lee
Starring – Adepero Oduye, Aasha Davis, Charles Parnell, Pernell Walker, Kim Wayans

The Plot:

Pariah is the story of Alike, a seventeen year old girl living in Brooklyn, coming to terms with not only her sexual identity, but her self-worth, as well. She has to hide her homosexuality from her family for fear of being a failure as a daughter, while her inability to embrace it among her gay friends makes her an equal disappointment to them. As she inches closer to accepting her identity, her life becomes increasingly chaotic and she must face her own truths, and stand up for herself on her own.

The Good:

The Ensemble: All of the actors in this film turn in grade-A performances. Perhaps it was lengthy rehearsal, or maybe it was natural chemistry, but the dynamic among these family members is remarkable. The relationships are so clearly defined in such minimal terms, that a brief argument over what the girls wear to church can display a mother’s desperate attempt to stay relevant and influential in her children’s lives, a father’s desire for only the happiest of lives for his daughters, and a teenager’s constant, yet futile, grab for independence. Intense and deep emotions are quietly conveyed without a single word being spoken, but with a strained glance, and a pinching of the lips.
Adepero Oduye delivers a standout performance in the lead role, dredging the depths of fear for rejection and shame to exemplify the terror that is being a teenager and not knowing who they actually are. To do so clearly requires such strength and grace, that those beautiful qualities almost overshadow the tragedy of her character…but not quite.
The cinematography: Pariah is rich with vivid color, livening even the most drab settings to create an even, resonant tone. And it’s not just for the sake of atmosphere; the palate serves to explicate the characters. Alike is like a chameleon, constantly melting into her surroundings to not be noticed, and is thus always painted in colors. Her dark skin shines with purples, greens, and blues while soft focus background lights add a sense of stylized design.
The production: This making of this film has a great story. This is a story that began as a short, NYU thesis film (under the tutelage of resident auteur Spike Lee), which was then developed through the Sundance Institute, and accepted to the festival in 2007. The feature script was written in longhand, while director Dee Reese worked as a production assistant on one of Lee’s film’s. During breaks, he would advise her on how to refine the script. The project barely had two nickels to rub together, but the cast and crew were so dedicated to the film that they endured, and the final result shows love and passion within the work.

The Bad:

Its emotional difficulty: This is a challenging, unpleasant movie. Being a teenager can be a harrowing, depressing experience without the adversity of facing the fear of coming out. And it’s not just Alike’s struggle in the film. Audrey (Wayans), Alike’s mother, displays a lonliness and fear that comes with a family’s shift out of adolescence. Moreover, her paranoia and resistance to even the notion that her daughter might be gay doesn’t vilify her, but makes her breakdown even more wrenching. Following the movie, it was extremely difficult to shake the question, “how is it that a parent can love their child so deeply until the moment they find out they’re gay?”
Precious 2?: It will be very easy for critics and audiences to compare this film to Lee Daniels’ Precious. The emotional tone is similar in that a withdrawn, downtrodden teenage girl must find her confidence and self reliance in the face of emotional adversity. It is a much greater achievement in artistry, and it will likely get overlooked because people will feel like they’ve already seen this movie. Not to mention the fact that challenging gay cinema rarely makes it to mainstream audiences.

Overall:

This is a perfect film for Sundance: It delves deeply and intimately into a personal experience, creating unique and memorable characters, yet it is representative of, and makes accessible a sentiment that may be felt in different cultures everywhere. Without the distraction of celebrity talent, audiences are forced to really engage and join in the unfolding of these characters growth. The whole cast’s performances superb, particularly its lead actress’. This is a beautiful film, and if it makes it out of Park City, deserves to be seen.

Rating: 8/10

Oscar Winner 2010: Best Adapted Screenplay – Precious

Laura Aguirre — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:52:46 +0000

The winner of the 2010 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay goes to Precious. Screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher accepted the award and was obviously in shock and very emotional during his speech. He dedicated his Oscar to all the precious girls and boys out there and went on to thank the cast and crew of the film but admitted he was drawing a blank while on stage. Congrats Geoffrey!

See who he beat out this year in the Best Adapted Screenplay category…

The nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay were:

Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell – District 9
Nick Hornby – An Education
Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche – In the Loop
Geoffrey Fletcher – Precious
Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner – Up in the Air

Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell – District 9 – A group of alien refugees who land in South Africa. A giant corporation is trying to reveal the technology behind their weapons, but they need alien DNA to unlock the mystery. A man contracts a strange virus, and he turns out to be the key to understanding the aliens weaponry. The only place the man can hide is in District 9.

Nick Hornby – An Education – A coming-of-age story set in the 1960’s about a teenage girl who lives in the suburbs of London. Her life is turned into a dream when a charming playboy nearly twice her age shows up and changes her life forever.

Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche – In the Loop – A foul-mouthed comedy that draws on events to create a world that is terrifyingly familiar: The US President and UK Prime Minister fancy a war, but not everyone agrees that war is a good thing.

Jeffrey Fletcher – Precious – (Based on the novel Push by Sapphire) Precious is set in Harlem. The story centers around an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child, who is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

Jason Reitman – Up in the Air – The story centers on a corporate downsizing expert (George Clooney) who travels all over the US in pursuit of more opportunities to fire people. As he approaches the 10-million frequent flyer miles milestone and meets the frequent-flying woman of his dreams (Vera Farmiga), his cherished lifestyle is threatened as his company wants to move him to headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.

Further Reading:

Does the Precious Movie Stereotype?

Krystal Clark — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:55:51 +0000

Starting today, we’ll finally be able to experience the much talked about Lee Daniels drama, Precious. The film has won plenty of accolades on the festival circuit and will have its opportunity to impress the general public with today’s release. A lot of people are waiting for the film to open in theaters nationally, but this week it will only hit L.A. New York, Chicago and Atlanta then gradually go from there.

Along with the positive reinforcements have come some negative views of Precious and its portrayal of certain individuals on a national scale. A debate has opened up that asks the question, does Precious enforce stereotypes?

One of the major debates surrounding the film is whether or not it’s a good representation of African-American women, plus sized women, or urban youth in general. Just yesterday we ran a story on co-star Mo’Nique, who plays Mary Jones the lead character’s abusive mother in the film. She admitted that it’s easy to judge the character on the outside, without taking the time to figure why she acts the way she does.

Over on The Grio, they ran a quote from Loren Pritchett, a student at Virginia Commonwealth University who took a different approach to the movie. She believes it reinforces age old stereotypes of African-American women.

“Movies like this are double-edged swords in the black community. On one hand it serves as an informative vehicle for discussion, but at the same time casts a label across the black community as a whole, leaving audience members of the opposite race throwing us all into one big troubled category.”

Although it’s easy to pick out the negative aspects of anything, we should definitely focus on the positive as well. The fact that this type of story is getting out is a step in the right direction. There are real girls no matter race or creed who are in abusive situations all over the world. Also, the fact that two ladies who aren’t considered the ‘Hollywood norm” are getting praise for their performances is another positive side effect. There are plus size actresses who can pull of dramatic material just a well as Meryl Streep, but aren’t given the opportunity to do so. This film is a double edge sword indeed, but it depends on the angle you’re looking at it.

What do you think about the Precious controversy? Does the film enforce stereotypes?

Mo’Nique Gets Vicious for Precious

Krystal Clark — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:44:08 +0000

Actress Mo’Nique is mostly known for her roles in comedies, thanks to her humble beginnings as a stand up comedienne, yet her latest and most controversial feature is earning her more praise than she’s ever received during her long career. This month the actress steps out of her comfort zone when she plays Mary Jones, the vicious and abusive mother of Precious, the film’s title character.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Mo’Nique talked about taking on the role of Mary Jones, a woman she didn’t want to judge before stepping into the role.

Reading the book, I disliked what she did. I won’t say I disliked her, but I disliked what she did. Getting to that last scene of Mary Jones, I understood her. For as crazy as that sounds, you don’t excuse it, but you don’t want to judge it. Because it’s easy to say that she’s a monster, she’s cruel, she’s mean, but then who took out the time to say, “Well what happened to you, baby?” That’s why I say they’re the forgotten people.

She went on to discuss those “forgotten people” whom society considers invaluable and untreatable. When taking on such a hard hitting role it’s no surprise that she decided to leave the the emotional baggage of her character on set.

“Don’t judge it and don’t take it off the set, walk away. When you’re done, let it go…” It made me look at us differently. It made me look at mental illness differently. And it made me say, you know what, I could wake up the next day out of my mind, I would want somebody to say, “I give a damn. Come here. Let me get you some help.”

Mo’Nique has been getting a lot of Oscar buzz for her portrayal in Precious as well as newcomer Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe. The film hits theaters tomorrow, November 6th and could be a career changing project for both actresses. Precious is directed by Lee Daniels and co-stars Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, and Paula Patton.

Do you think Mo’Nique will get an Oscar nomination for her role in Precious?

Oprah Introduces the Latest Precious Trailer

Krystal Clark — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:22:19 +0000

A new trailer has been released for the critically acclaimed film, Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire. The drama has gained momentum as an early awards season contender thanks to its various screenings on the festival circuit. It stars newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, and Mariah Carey. It’s directed by Lee Daniels and produced by Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.

Check out the latest trailer for this power piece called, Precious…

In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

This film really tugs at your heartstrings, and forces you to have a strong reaction to someone else’s unfortunate situation. Precious is a thorough and unconventional look at the human condition, and highlights a situation that plagues many, but is typically left unacknowledged.

Precious starts playing in select theaters on November 6th.

What do you think about the latest trailer for Precious?

Precious Review Round-Up

craigsternberg — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:43:57 +0000

The top award winner at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival was the Oprah Winfrey produced Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. Precious took home the festival’s “People’s Choice Award” that Best Picture Oscar winner Slumdog Millionare earned last year. Critics have praised the movie throughout its run in various festivals and the movie is gaining major Oscar buzz.

The film’s story revolves around an illiterate girl named Precious and her struggles throughout her everyday life. The film is a brutally honest portrayal of the young woman’s perseverance over the most inhumane obstacles.

Check out what people are saying about the indie darling, Precious…

Both Mo’nique and Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe deliver Oscar Worthy Performances…

Gabby Sidibe sparkles as Precious – Obsessed with Film
Comedienne Mo’Nique is the epitome of maternal evil as Precious’ mother Mary, ranging from sadism to self-pity through a kaleidoscopic spectrum of abusive behavior, and the performance is so complete that her malignance is utterly compelling and utterly believable. – Obsessed with Film
As Precious, Sidibe is superb, allowing us to see the inner warmth and beauty of a young woman who, to her world’s cruel eyes, might seem monstrous. As Precious’ hideous mother, Mo’Nique is cruelty incarnate. It’s an astonishingly powerful performance. – The Hollywood Reporter

It’s Dark, Gritty, and Uncompromising…

“Precious” has no bounds. It’s a disturbing, overwhelming story of one Harlem girl’s merciless degradations. – The Hollywood Reporter
An urban nightmare with a surfeit of soul, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” is like a diamond — clear, bright, but oh so hard – Variety

Lee Daniels juggles emotional extremes brilliantly…

Director Lee Daniels sagely navigates the story from Precious’ cavernous inner world through her synaptic flashes of fantasy that momentarily allow her to transcend her personal hell. – The Hollywood Reporter
Second-time helmer Daniels demonstrates a remarkable, balletic ability to juggle emotional extremes. – Variety
Under Lee Daniels’ stewardship the movie segues from atrocity to escapist fantasy and life-affirming positivity with ease – Obsessed With Film

So what do you think? Will you be checking this out? How excited are you for this movie?

Mariah Carey Beat Helen Mirren for Role: I Call Foul!

Mali Elfman — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:15:07 +0000

How the hell did that happen? Well according to a report out of the Cannes Film Festival by Rotten Tomatoes, Helen Mirren was originally supposed to play the social worker in the Precious, but the Director, Lee Daniel, decided that he wanted Mariah Carey instead. Something tells me that someone got confused along they way.

Check out what he told RT at the premiere for his film below…

Helen Mirren was going to play the role originally but Mariah and I are good friends and it was a very last minute thing, it sort of happened. I was surprised that she was as in love as I was. She never asked me to be in the movie but she hinted that she wanted to be a part of it and I felt if I was making a bold movie, how bold it would be to cast Mariah.

Maybe Lee talked to Mirren one night and she said “sure, let me get back to you” and he considered that a yes?

I have to say, the role of the social worker is to make the main character, Precious open up to her and share the secrets of her traumatic past and I can’t really picture Helen Mirren as the character. Would she have played an American? Because I think having a English women in that role would have made it a very different film. Not that Mirren couldn’t play an tough-ass American from the Bronx, but it’s not the first thing that pops in your head with you think of DAME Helen Mirren. And just because Mirren doesn’t work, doesn’t been you automatically jump to the other. I mean, they’re not exactly in the same category.

The film and Mariah Carey may be getting great reviews, but I won’t believe any of this until I hear it from Mirren’s lips.

Does anyone believe this? And do you think that the film would have been better with Mirren?

Amazing New Trailer for Precious

Mali Elfman — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:45:30 +0000

A few days ago, Lionsgate debuted a trailer on Oprah.com for second time Director Lee Daniels’ upcoming film Precious, but I just found it hiding over on FirstShowing.net. This if one of those trailers that you need to see. The film premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and was easily one of the most loved and talked about films to come out of the festival. It won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award and is currently being promoted by the big O herself. The film was adapted from a book titled “Push” and was adapted by new-comer Damien Paul.

Without giving too much away, check out the trailer below…

In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

Tell me that didn’t get you just a little bit chocked up? I don’t see how you couldn’t. First time actress Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe looks she may be giving one of the best, most honest performances of the year.

And did you notice Mariah Carey?!? I didn’t. Go back and watch it again. That’s her with the heavy bangs. And she actually looks like she might be able to act!

The only thing I didn’t like was the “I love you” line. I thought it was pushing a bit too much, but hey, this is a trailer!

The film will be in theaters on November 6th 2009.

Will you go and see it?

ScreenCrave.com » Precious

Sundance 2011: Pariah Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

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