Precious

Despite being executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and featuring Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and talk show host Mo’Nique, Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, is no glitzy Hollywood outing. In fact, if anything, this is more Ken Loach by way of Harlem.

Directed and produced by Lee Daniels, it tells the tale of 16-year-old Claireece ‘Precious’ Jones, a morbidly obese teen who is expecting her second child after suffering repeated abuse at the hands of her father. Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) lives a wretched life but has managed to succeed in class despite the fact that she can’t read or write. She is offered a place at a school that offers tuition more attuned to her needs and hesitantly accepts the chance to better herself. Anything that may lead to an escape from her bullying, violent mother is worth exploring. Slowly, she rebuilds some semblance of confidence, although there are hurdles seemingly at every step of her path.

That short synopsis may make it sound like an ‘achieve your dreams’ type of film, and although themes of hope and possibility dominate, this is not a glib, superficial treatment of a difficult subject. Looking in the mirror and accepting yourself will not automatically turn your life around… even if it’s a first step in the right direction.

Precious is a downbeat tale that some will find harrowing. It’s rooted by an astounding performance from newcomer Sidibe, who is sure to get nods come the awards season. Solid support comes from Mo’Nique as her abusive, anger-filled mother, and Paula Patton as teacher Ms Rain. Mariah Carey’s perfunctory presence as down-trodden social worker Mrs Weiss proves more a distraction to the tale, with a lingering camera seemingly asking us to marvel more at how plain Ms Carey can appear (“look – no make-up!”) when stretching her serious acting muscles. That said, if her involvement ensures more people go see this movie, then it was a prudent decision to hire her.

Precious deserves a wide audience. Despite being set in 1987, it highlights issues and problems that undoubtedly continue to exist today.

Last edited: 29th May 2010