'Precious' Filled with Anything But

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

film review

by Mandy Rodgers

2009

Rated: R

Director: Lee Daniels

Starring: Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz, Stephanie Andujar and Chyna Layne

     
     Perhaps the most harrowing and disturbing film I’ve seen to date, Precious starts with abrupt force and does not stop terrifying until the final credits roll. Without a way to put it mildly, the film revolves around Precious (Sidibe), a young teen in Harlem who’s pregnant with her second child by her father. Shockingly, that’s only the beginning of the abuse alluded to and seen in the film Precious endures—the off-screen transgressions are often times just as hard to stomach as those explicitly shown.

     She’s overweight and illiterate and forced to live with a “mother” (hard to give her that title) named Mary (Mo’Nique) who consistently degrades, objectifies and tortures her. Her only way out is through a fantasy life, which consists of model boyfriends and a fancy wardrobe.

At school, Precious’ teachers notice her education issues and the dilemma of her pregnancy and recommend she attend an alternative school, which can focus more on her and her specific needs.

Somehow, Precious senses a needed escape from the horrific life she leads and finds the courage to step inside a small classroom with misfit teens and study under the personable Ms. Rain (Patton)—an angelic creature vs. the other adults around the teen.

     Ms. Rain is a ray of sunshine (completely the opposite of her namesake) in Precious’ completely dismal days filled with misunderstanding and abuse to the nth degree in every way, shape and form. It’s unfathomable the horrors that Precious lives through and the rough existence she has lead.

While learning from Ms. Rain, Precious begins to see a positive part of life and believes she can make a way for her and her two children. Helping her are the stories and strengths of her classmates and even the humor that they bring to the tale to lighten the load of the depressing story. The screenplay weaves genuine laughs throughout, giving the viewer a chance to un-tense, even for just one moment.

     A breathtaking climax between Precious and her mother send the theater silent and gasping for air as these two individuals come to a day of reckoning.

     Daniels’ direction keeps the heavy-handed material from becoming melodramatic or hard to identify with—somehow terrors no one could imagine transform into film about any woman overcoming obstacles.

     With tons of Oscar buzz, the acting all around is superb. To start, Sidibe is a real find as the leading lady, a layered and intriguing woman with everything stacked against her who perseveres to prove naysayers wrong. Precious inhabits one of the most gut wrenching worlds ever to hit the screen, and Sidibe personalizes her struggles, so by the end the audience knows her and has traveled alongside her.

     Mo’Nique turns her own persona on its head as one of the most despicable movie villains, perhaps, of all time. The typically comedic actress throws the audience into emotional upheaval—let alone Precious—and try to finish the film without a deep hatred for the truculent, savage, esurient, greedy Mary. She is a lock for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination at least. Somehow, Mo’Nique has achieved supervillain status with one film.

     Patton juxtaposes the two stars well with a subtle and caring disposition heavily needed for the tenebrous and gloomy movie. Supporting the powerhouse performances are pop stars Carey and Kravitz, both broadening their repertoires here as a social worker and nurse, respectively. Carey is extensively toned down from her superstar, diva attire and shows heart and grace in a small, yet pivotal role. Kravitz’s part also is strictly supporting, but it’s nuanced and the two singers

     Precious is not for the faint of heart and leaves a haunting impact on anyone with a soul watching. Those who see the film and are not affected might want to check their pulses. I can’t believe it’s possible.

To think that the original book version—“Push: A Novel.” by Sapphire—is even more graphic stuns me, but the testament here is that amid all the chaos and dysfunction, Precious inspires and sheds light on many issues girls around the world are facing on a daily basis.

With or without all the touting Oprah and Tyler Perry have done with Precious, it deserves every recognition it receives this awards season and hopefully reassures other precious teens that they too have an opportunity for change.