Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire is a film you have to see to believe.
When one explains the synopsis – It’s about an obese, black, illiterate, 16-year-old girl living in Harlem who is pregnant with her second child and at a middle-school level education – you can’t (or don’t) want to believe it. What you certainly can’t believe is that you would want to see such depressing material. But there is so much more to this film than a synopsis.Claireece “Precious” Jones – played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, is so much more than the girl described in whichever synopsis you read. She’s the whole reason this movie is watchable: you observe her battle all of these incredible demons, but you also watch her maintain courage – through her daydreams of stardom to her growing friendships with her classmates. There are moments in the film where Precious really builds you to such a high degree of happiness. The next scene, however, could bring you so far down you feel the heat of Hell at your feet.
And this is what makes Lee Daniels’ storytelling so powerful: the script is so honest to the life of Precious that it reflects in your own, but to higher degrees. You experience her happiness through her friendships and relationship with her mentor and teacher, but you turn around and experience her depression and degradation from her mother, played by Mo’Nique.
The performances from this film are astonishing. Gabourey Sidibe narrates the film – a concept in film that is usually overwrought, but I felt such attachment to her because of the narration. Sidibe creates such honesty through almost no expression. The delivery of each line is so simple and unquestioned. Mo’Nique, however, is arguably the true star of this film. Known for her comedic turns in film and various media (if you have at least listened to her radio show, you know what I mean), Mo’Nique divulges an astounding turn as Precious’ abusive – both verbally and physically – mother. There is a scene near the end of the film where Mo’Nique explains her situation solely through dialogue. We do not need a visual depiction of her story; her words are unbelievably commanding, vulnerable, and chilling to the bone. There is nothing more real than this scene. Mo’Nique deserves – and will probably receive – Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role, and I cannot think of a better woman to receive it.
There are two other incredible aspects of this film that are not of the film itself. First is the audience in each theater. What I tried to pay attention to when I saw the film at AMC is the racial and age make-up of the audience. There was quite a mixture of race in the audience and quite a mixture of age – something that a movie is hard-pressed to accomplish, especially such a small production like Precious. I hope that this movie does not segregate its audience, and I trust that it won’t. Precious is not a story of a black girl, but a story of a teenager/mother/learner/friend. Second, the box office numbers of the film is incredible as well. On its opening weekend playing in only 18 theaters, the film took over $32K. The past weekend, Precious remained on the Top 10 Box Office at #6 with $21.3M. I can only hope this weekend it will still be on this list.
When I write my reviews of film, I generally analyze the thoughts and texts of other critics. Precious, however, has brought out an exception. This story has had such an effect and power that I cannot justify its value on the words of other critics. This film deserves more. Precious is unique and hopeful in both its narrative and its story as a film itself; it has proven its power and will continue to do so until the Academy Awards. I hope this film will be held in high regard no matter what age, gender, sexual orientation, or race (all values the film takes on at some point in its story) and that you will appreciate the film as much as I did.
