Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
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Directed By: Lee Daniels
Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, & Paula Patton
You can tell you are watching a great movie if, at the end, you realize that you never need to see another movie with a similar story. Sure, you'll watch them...but you don't need to see them, because you have already seen the best execution of that story imaginable. Such is the case with Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. Never again will I need to see a movie about an underprivileged inner-city teenager trying to overcome unimaginable adversity. Precious has told that story so well, that I am sure no future movie will ever be able to tell it quite as admirably. It is an emotional, devastating, and unrelenting movie that is courageous because of its unabashed determination to tell a story that needs to be told. It does not sugarcoat it and, for that reason, some viewers will not be able to handle it. But, I encourage all of you, even the most hesitant, to please try. The story is every bit as dark as you would probably suspect, but there is an unexpected element that, despite being often overshadowed by brutal scenes of abuse and heartache, remains firmly in place. In the midst of great tragedy, it can be hard to see or notice, but it is there and its presence is the reason Precious works so well. That element, my friends, is hope.
Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) is an overweight teenager who is emotionally detached from the tragic life that surrounds her. Pregnant with her second child conceived from being raped by her own father, she is suspended from school. Her mother, Mary (Mo'Nique), is verbally and physically abusive, a woman who was trampled by life and who now takes it out on her daughter. Precious, who is almost completely illiterate, begins to attend a nearby alternative school, where an inspiring teacher named Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), encourages her to write daily in a journal. It doesn't matter if she spells everything wrong, Ms. Rain explains, as long as she is writing. For once in her life, someone actually cares about how Precious feels...and that is enough to allow her to open up about the years of abuse she has suffered. Precious finds comfort with Ms. Rain and also with a social worker, Mrs. Weiss (Mariah Carey), who is responsible for deciding whether or not Precious' mother can continue getting her welfare checks. These two women believe in Precious; they believe in her even though, when they first meet her, she shows no sign of potential. It is as though they can immediately see the fabulous superstar that Precious longs to become.
It is rare that every element of a movie comes together flawlessly, especially when the subject matter is as difficult to handle as this is. There's a thin line between compelling drama and sheer exploitation, and Precious walks that line carefully. Had one scene faltered, the entire movie would have buckled. But, Geoffrey Fletcher's screenplay is very finely-tuned; each scene is written with such poignance and dignity. Director Lee Daniels captures that material with a sense of respect, never showing too much, but showing just enough to retain the movie's unyieldingly tragic tone. Scenes that directly depict Precious being raped or otherwise abused show the beginnings of these acts and then often fade into Precious' mind, where she is thinking about photo shoots or red carpets or a hunky boyfriend who loves her, while she is being victimized. These scenes work well for two reasons. Firstly, it would have been off-putting had Daniels focused excessively on her abuse. Secondly, the movie is told from Precious' point-of-view and, therefore, because she tunes out while she is being harmed, it is appropriate that we go with her; it gives us a very compelling insight into Precious, who is very stoic and reserved on the exterior, and how she copes with her situation.
Precious is firmly rooted in its performances, which come from an unlikely cast. Gabourey Sidibe, a charming and electric young woman in reality, is so powerful in the role of Precious; she commands the screen like a seasoned professional, though this is her first role. I simply cannot wait to see what amazing things fate has in store for this vibrant talent. Mo'Nique, a comedian by nature, departs from her usual image for a violent and haunting role, in which she is nothing short of captivating. Though you will hate her throughout the movie, her last scene is heartbreaking and it is a true testament to Mo'Nique's huge talent. The rest of the cast, including Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz, is just as talented. Carey, especially, deserves a special mention, as she has been mocked for years because of her woeful performance in Glitter. In Precious, she is much more Oscar-worthy, than Razzie-worthy; that's for sure. This cast is surprisingly brilliant; Lee Daniels proves here that, if nothing else, he can assemble an amazing cast, even though everyone else would think him crazy for his selections. But, Daniels is a fascinating filmmaker, because he understands his films better than anyone else. He sees potential where others see none, and he knows how to turn that potential into something profound and beautiful. Beautiful is the word I would use to describe Precious. It's heartbreaking...but beautiful because, at its heart, there is hope.
Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) is an overweight teenager who is emotionally detached from the tragic life that surrounds her. Pregnant with her second child conceived from being raped by her own father, she is suspended from school. Her mother, Mary (Mo'Nique), is verbally and physically abusive, a woman who was trampled by life and who now takes it out on her daughter. Precious, who is almost completely illiterate, begins to attend a nearby alternative school, where an inspiring teacher named Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), encourages her to write daily in a journal. It doesn't matter if she spells everything wrong, Ms. Rain explains, as long as she is writing. For once in her life, someone actually cares about how Precious feels...and that is enough to allow her to open up about the years of abuse she has suffered. Precious finds comfort with Ms. Rain and also with a social worker, Mrs. Weiss (Mariah Carey), who is responsible for deciding whether or not Precious' mother can continue getting her welfare checks. These two women believe in Precious; they believe in her even though, when they first meet her, she shows no sign of potential. It is as though they can immediately see the fabulous superstar that Precious longs to become.
It is rare that every element of a movie comes together flawlessly, especially when the subject matter is as difficult to handle as this is. There's a thin line between compelling drama and sheer exploitation, and Precious walks that line carefully. Had one scene faltered, the entire movie would have buckled. But, Geoffrey Fletcher's screenplay is very finely-tuned; each scene is written with such poignance and dignity. Director Lee Daniels captures that material with a sense of respect, never showing too much, but showing just enough to retain the movie's unyieldingly tragic tone. Scenes that directly depict Precious being raped or otherwise abused show the beginnings of these acts and then often fade into Precious' mind, where she is thinking about photo shoots or red carpets or a hunky boyfriend who loves her, while she is being victimized. These scenes work well for two reasons. Firstly, it would have been off-putting had Daniels focused excessively on her abuse. Secondly, the movie is told from Precious' point-of-view and, therefore, because she tunes out while she is being harmed, it is appropriate that we go with her; it gives us a very compelling insight into Precious, who is very stoic and reserved on the exterior, and how she copes with her situation.
Precious is firmly rooted in its performances, which come from an unlikely cast. Gabourey Sidibe, a charming and electric young woman in reality, is so powerful in the role of Precious; she commands the screen like a seasoned professional, though this is her first role. I simply cannot wait to see what amazing things fate has in store for this vibrant talent. Mo'Nique, a comedian by nature, departs from her usual image for a violent and haunting role, in which she is nothing short of captivating. Though you will hate her throughout the movie, her last scene is heartbreaking and it is a true testament to Mo'Nique's huge talent. The rest of the cast, including Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz, is just as talented. Carey, especially, deserves a special mention, as she has been mocked for years because of her woeful performance in Glitter. In Precious, she is much more Oscar-worthy, than Razzie-worthy; that's for sure. This cast is surprisingly brilliant; Lee Daniels proves here that, if nothing else, he can assemble an amazing cast, even though everyone else would think him crazy for his selections. But, Daniels is a fascinating filmmaker, because he understands his films better than anyone else. He sees potential where others see none, and he knows how to turn that potential into something profound and beautiful. Beautiful is the word I would use to describe Precious. It's heartbreaking...but beautiful because, at its heart, there is hope.
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