Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)
Directed by Lee Daniels
Length: 109 minutes
Rated R for child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language



Whew...take a deep breath and try to collect yourself. Witnessing the brutality, the horror, the gravity that is Precious is not an enjoyable experience; it's one that leaves you feeling broken; as if you have just seen every horror imaginable - the things you think could never possibly happen in the "real" world. Movies often allow us to live a fantasy that would normally be impossible; in this case, it leaves you wanting to crawl into the fetal position and cry. Though Precious is a difficult film, it has to be considered required viewing for all, if only to understand the trauma that plagues a community influenced by its impoverished, uneducated, and dilapidated condition.

Focusing on the movie's namesake, Oscar nominated newcomer Gabourey Sidibe (The Big C, Yelling to the Sky) plays Precious Jones, a 16 year-old illiterate, obese, impoverished girl that is abused by her mother and sexually assaulted and twice impregnated by her father. Beaten, belittled, infected, battered, raped...there are not enough words to describe the torture Precious must endure. It truly can be hard to watch at times - I'll admit I found myself tearing up during several scenes. The old expression "when it rains it pours" embodies the life Precious is forced to live. Sidibe truly is magnificent in her first motion picture, conveying not only the physical toll her abuse takes on her but also the psychological effects (not surprising considering she has a degree in psychology) that force Precious to escape to a fantasy world in which every one loves and adores her.

Without a doubt, what makes the film so compelling is the horrific performance of recent Oscar winner Mo'Nique (The Mo'Nique Show, Steppin: The Movie) as Mary, Precious's mother. As the abusive mother, Mary admittedly wishes Precious had never existed, instead using the girl to increase her welfare allocation. The verbal and physical pain that Mary inflicts on her daughter is detestable - you will truly hate her character, even as you learn about the abusive cycle that often accompanies these unfortunate scenarios. Mo'Nique is every bit deserving of her Oscar as she has created the epitome of a jealous, spiteful parent that hates the very thought of her daughter.

Another element of the film that may be lost on some due to the graphic nature of the story is the in-depth analysis of impoverished and urban communities that often prove to be a breeding ground for crime, abuse, drugs, etc. This is not to say that the movie relies on stereotypes or prejudices; on the contrary, the film shows how even intelligent, gifted people can be held back by the limitations they inherent via their living conditions and upbringing. Coming from a city that is highly segregated between private and public schools, it is apparent how, when given scare resources and almost insurmountable limitations, one can begin to fall prey to the image that often plagues the "ghetto".

While Precious may not be the best film of the year, it certainly is one of the most memorable, if only for the traumatic scenes that leave a lasting scar on your soul. A great movie can move you, as you empathize with the characters, share their emotions, etc. While Precious will certainly move you, this is one of the few films I have ever seen that really hits you in the gut, twisting your insides at the level of hate we as humans can achieve. Though it may not prove to be an enjoyable experience, you must watch this film: the story of a precious girl who struggles to overcome the never-ending hardships of her life, but who continues to preserve and vows to break the cycle of abuse for her children and her future.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Oscar Winners:
Best Supporting Actress - Mo'Nique
Best Adapted Screenplay

Oscar Nominations:
Best Achievement in Directing - Lee Daniels
Best Achievement in Editing
Best Motion Picture
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Gabourey Sidibe