Precious: Movie Review

Precious: Movie Review

Rating: 7/10
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique,, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz
Director: Lee Daniels
As we head towards Oscar season, some films are already emerging as contenders thanks to a clutch of nominations.
Precious is one of those films.
It stars Gabourey Sidibe as Claireece Precious Jones, an overweight, illiterate 16 year old girl in New York's Harlem.
Verbally, mentally and physically abused by her mother on a regular basis and sexually abused by her father, Precious does what she can to get by.
However, she's kicked out of school when it's discovered that she's pregnant for a second time - and is given the chance to enroll in a special school, Each One Teach One, run by Miss Blu Rain (Paula Patton).
Precious takes the chance on the school and gradually starts to improve her life - however, when her domestic situation comes to a head, it's clear Precious needs to make some life changing decisions - whether she likes them or not.
Based on the acclaimed novel, Push, Precious is not an easy film to watch - while it's got an uplifting end, it's sometimes a difficult (albeit darkly humorous) road to travel.
Mo'Nique is horrifying as Precious' mother - a powderkeg of resentment and twisted by abuse, she's just waiting to explode - and there is one particular moment that will horrify some (even if it is obvious that that's what's coming). However, in her final scenes with her daughter, Mo'Nique manages to subtly lift the character from abuser to leave you with your mouth hanging open as she talks of their family life.
Gabourey Sidibe is compelling as Precious - despite a heavy role to take, this first time actress brings an underlying respect and dignity to all that she undergoes, and good grief, it's the gamut of abuse, violence and bullying. Precious chooses to live in a fantasy world in her head when things get really bad - and it's here that Sidibe brings some joy to the character as she dances to music or attends premieres.
Some may feel that the message of Precious is given in a heavy handed way, but, to be honest, this film's not sugar coated and is a horrifying indictment of the reality that some have to endure on a daily basis. And sure, some of it feels like familiar territory as Precious struggles in class, but gradually overcomes the increasingly insurmountable odds against her.

However, it's not all dark - there's a lot of humour scattered throughout and in many unexpected places thanks to a sharp, sassy script. Both Mariah Carey as a social worker and Lenny Kravitz as a male nurse are good - but Precious belongs to Sidibe and Mo'Nique. It's their performances which give the film its power and while some may argue the ending is not upbeat enough given what we've had to endure, it's a churlish complaint about a film which for many will be a harrowing revelation.