Movie Review: Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

by Justin Velasquez

January 17, 2010

When an individual comes across problems and issues things can get magnified to the point that even the least significant issues carry a considerably heavy weight.  When it rains it pours: one problem becomes many and that type of compounding can break even the strongest-willed person.

Precious, the unflinchingly honest film from director-producer Lee Daniels, is an example of how much more difficult life can be when severe problems are heaped upon you, especially if those problems come from people who are supposed to love you.  

Precious is easily the most heartbreaking film this year and Daniels paints a stunning portrait that evokes intense feelings of pain, shame and concern during a time when the exact opposite is normally showered upon others in spades.  The true story of football player Michael Oher (The Blind Side) and the hardships he harbored seem like a walk in the park compared to the inhumane abuse that this film's title character experiences.  In the midst of all the chaos it is interesting to note that hope, even the tiniest bit, can be the catalyst to begin a new and better life.

In a startling debut performance, Gabourey Sidibe plays 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones, who was born into an awful life.  She lives in a dilapidated Harlem home with her incredibly wicked mother.  Precious can barely read, she's still in junior high school and she's obese, so she is constantly ridiculed and disrespected.  Her situation worsens when she becomes pregnant... again.  Precious is a rape and incest victim so the baby's father is her own father.  Her first child, also fathered by Precious' father, is mentally ill and lives with her grandmother.  The pregnancy leads to her suspension from school, and any hope of getting out of this awful situation is all but lost.

There are many more problems that plague Precious but it is important to realize that her situation is gut-wrenching, embarrassing and unforgivable.  Just as in The Blind Side, there are individuals who rise above to provide Precious with the love and attention that she seeks.  Precious finds a place in an alternative school.  Her teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton, Idlewild), helps Precious earn her GED, but her loving nature provides more to the troubled teenager than just the alphabet and basic writing skills.  Ms. Rain instills confidence, courage, love and understanding to a girl who desperately needs it.  And that outpouring leads to all the way back to hope.

Needless to say, a film this intense will grant even the worst acting performance here an award-worthy look.  Sidibe's take on a role so complicated and so troubled amazes as she transforms onscreen. 

Right there with Sidibe is Mo'Nique.  She plays Mary, Precious' mom, and with seemingly relative ease she shows the audience Mary's shocking, disturbing behavior as she abuses Precious physically and mentally.  The cruelty she displays towards her own daughter stems from an insecure jealousy because "her man" chose Precious over her.  The length she goes to hurt Precious is reflective of the inner anguish and pain that she feels.  It's not an excuse but it is a reason. 

Playing a social worker, Mariah Carey strips down to a near-unrecognizable state and provides one more tearful performance.  With Paula Patton rounding it up this film has more impressive female acting performances than any in recent memory.

Precious will immediately impact any viewer.  The dark side of life is displayed throughout, but the hope within shines brightly.  This is not one to watch casually - it will humble you and make you realize just how much better you have it.  Thank you, Precious, for showing us that hope can come from the even the most dire of circumstances.

Four Stars out of Four