Archive
Precious 2009
The talk of the festival when it screened at Sundance '09, Precious is set in Harlem 1987 and about Clareece 'Precious' Jones - an obese and impoverished African American teenager, systematically abused emotionally and physically by her mother and repeatedly raped by her mother's boyfriend. Pregnant by him for a second time, she is expelled from school, and recommended to attend 'Each One Teach One', an alternative education centre where she meets an inspiring teacher who prods her into seeing that there could be hope for a better life.
Director Lee Daniels tackles the story with often disturbing directness, particularly in the scenes of Precious's hellish home life, but provides the moments of humour and fantasy without which this would be unbearably horrific to watch. He also draws some remarkable performances from his cast, particularly from newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, who brings dignity to the stoic Precious and from Mo'nique, who gives an award-worthy portrayal of her resolutely cruel mother. (Source: 53rd London Film Festival)
Starring Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidi
Directed by Lee Daniels ('Shadowboxer')
Written by Geoffrey Fletcher (based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire)
Festivals & Awards Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe winner for Best Supporting Actress (Mo'Nique), 2010. Winner for Best Adapted Screenplay, Academy Awards 2010. Audience Award, Grand Jury and Special Jury winner at Sundance Film Festival 2009.
Drama, Adaptation | 1hr 49mins | Rated (R16) | contains violence, sexual violence, offensive language and content that may disturb | Origin: USA
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Flicks review
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Precious manages something precious few films can do: eliciting the full range of emotions. Anger at Precious’ mother, (played by comedienne Mo’nique at her cruellest, most repulsive best); sympathy that Precious has fallen pregnant for the second time to her mother’s rapist boyfriend; hope that she can make a better future for herself by learning to read and write thanks to her sensitive remedial teacher (Paula Patton); and joy at the small things that make her life palatable.
For Precious that’s the friendship and humour she finds in her new classroom, and a dose of daily fantasy. When things get tough, and they do repeatedly in this harrowing film, Precious’ mind escapes to her dreams. It’s a surreal cinematic technique that shows that while all else crumbles, Precious’ spirit will always win.
Gabourey Sidibe gives a fearless performance in the lead role in which we see her physically and emotionally at her worst. Few actresses would allow stylised close-ups while gorging on junk food.
Then there’s Mariah Carey as her social worker. Barely recognisable in drab office attire, Mimi brings a quiet strength to a role. Lenny Kravitz also shows up as the hot male nurse who tends to Precious when she goes into labour but this time the cameo feels a little contrived – his part doesn’t add much to the story.
Director Lee Daniels knows there is beauty to be found in the bleakest of places. As much as this is a powerful social drama, it’s an irreverent and uplifting story of resilience and dignity. By the time the credits roll, you’ll feel exhausted and elated.
By Rebecca Barry, Flicks.co.nz
The Peoples voice
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amazing!!!
5
i thought this movie was very sad, it captures the true essence of some peoples daily lives, great storey line & great choice in cast..definitly a must see!!
By asta lee
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Years Best Film.
This is the years BEST MOVIE. What a great film. Its hard,gritty,and tough...but what a story and the acting is the best Ive seen for years...Even Mariah Carey was good. This is Gabourey Sidibes picture and her acting is fawless...how Sandra Bullock beat her out for this years Best Actress Oscar is a real mystery....what a stunning brilliant acting tourdeforce she takes us on...and the remarkable Monique was the same her final scenes were acting at its best. This film is not for everyone and is at times hard going...but see it for the acting.....Brillant stuff. Years Best Picture so far!.....10 out of 10.
By Murray Swann
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2
surely cannot be classed as entertainment
By Helen
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Very convincing acting and an emotional journey
4
In saying that however I found the movie a little drawn out and judging by the people leaving the theatre prior to the movie finishing I guess they felt the same. A fairly predictable storyline of life in Harlem in the eighties no doubt but worth a visit to the theatre to view...not an uplifting experience though.
By sue
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good
5
it looks so good and it show what at home
By natasha bidois
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Tough...powerful.
4
By murray swann
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5
that's very sad...
By Emma
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What a fantastic line up of superstars
3
However, for me the issue is the subject, How much of this unedifying stuff do we need?
Having said that, the acting and making was real good.By brian
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A must-see!
5
What an awesome, real, gritty, truely great film. Well done Lee Daniels for bringing an unknown actress to the big screen. Precious is a gritty, hard up film which is just what the world needs. Not everything in life is light and fluffy.
By KM
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Horrific
5
This film is not a feel good movie, so don't go if you are feeling a little off - you might not come out of it in one piece. Even if you have been prepped and read all the reviews, in the first few scenes you will still be left wondering if what had just happened was supposed to be real, or a dream because of the unreal level of raw violence and anger.
It must have been a hard task to tackle such issues as incest (I think it is her real father, not her boyfriend), teenage preganancy, AIDS, etc with an audience that would for the most part be totally removed from the world that Precious lives in. Yet, with all these issues that you would normally not be able to relate to - this movie it completely involving and real. You don't have that feeling of detachment you often get with films that are too far fetched. It's real, believeable, and horrifying.
The actresses playing Precious and her mother are believable and real both in action and appearance - this film could easily have been ruined by making that classic mistake of trying to make pretty people look ugly.
All in all worth seeing, but be prepared to walk out shocked - you will never complain about your own life again.By NY
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Amazing Acting
4
Wow the acting by the lead and her mother (comedian Monique) is truely inspiring. The movie itself is depressing and a character study. A really great movie with no happy ending.
By Tasha
Press Reviews
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Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
A great American film.
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Dominion Post (Graeme Tuckett)
4 4 out of 5 stars
Precious does what it does, and tells what it tells, with a power and a style that has never been brought to bear on this material before. In the lead role, debutante actor Gabourey Sidibe is astonishing.
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Empire (UK)
5 5 out of 5 stars
While it may not be perfect on a technical level, dramatically it’s a blow-your-socks-off triumph. Be moved. Very, very moved.
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Hollywood Reporter
As Precious, Sidibe is superb, allowing us to see the inner warmth and beauty of a young woman who, to her world's cruel eyes, might seem monstrous.
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New York Times
Nimble and self-assured as Mr. Daniels’s direction may be, he could not make you believe in “Precious” unless you were able to believe in Precious herself. You will.
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NZ Herald (Francesca Rudkin)
4 4 out of 5 stars
An emotionally exhausting, brilliantly acted, riveting film.
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Otago Daily Times (Mark Orton)
By now the buzz surrounding this film has filtered through to here, but those seeking escapist entertainment beware; Precious is raw, uncompromising and damn depressing - but just a little brilliant.
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San Fransico Chronicle
A movie about an obese Harlem teenager who's raped by her father and abused by her mother. It's depressing, devastating, harrowing and repulsive. But there are lyric flights of hope interspersed among that raw naturalism, and that's what makes this movie amazing.
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Total Film (UK)
4 4 out of 5 stars
A moving mix of melodrama and social tract graced by courage, heart, soul and a lumbering but resilient heroine.
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TV3 (Kate Rodger)
5 5 out of 5 stars
I can only say, if you’re up for it, this film is one of the most powerful and moving few hours you will ever spend in a cinema.
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Variety (USA)
An urban nightmare with a surfeit of soul, Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire is like a diamond -- clear, bright, but oh so hard.
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