Precious is not an Indy Film.
It’s a major motion picture release that has been blessed by Oprah and Tyler Perry, but that’s not why you need to see it.
In fact, pretend that you don’t know that they’ve touched it. This film is so raw in honest emotion and dialogue about how broken so many of our American homes are that it doesn’t matter who produced it, it just matters that work like this was produced.
Precious, is based off the novel “Push” by Sapphire. Arguments can be made that, as always, the movie cannot touch the literary work, but that argument is moot in this case because the film is a cinematic feat all in its own. Lee Daniels tells the sweeping tale of Clareece “Precious” Jones using lush fantasy sequences and juxtaposing them with jarring snaps back to Precious’s grim reality. If Daniels does anything, he makes sure he gets your attention through inspired editing of her story. In his own way, he forces you to get comfortable with being made to feel uncomfortable. Like a good South Park bit, just when you think that’s as far as he will go, he takes it to a cringe-worthy level. All the while showing how beautiful Precious and the people who have grown to love her are as she navigates simply trying to survive.
Mo’Nique is receiving well-deserved Oscar buzz. She plays a disturbing portrayal of Precious’s mother Mary with such contempt that there will be at least one point in the movie that will induce at least a shudder. However, even with all of the force of Mo’Nique’s performance, the star of the movie is Gabourey Sidibe, who plays Precious with such conviction and believability that it almost feels invasive to be watching Precious’s comings and goings. At some point, Sidibe leads you past Precious’s surface turmoil — which is so deep that the viewer accepts it as a way of life for her — and draws you into Precious by making her longings relatable to anyone. Her desire to be acknowledged as a person, her longing for love, her need for vaildation from a respected individual are so sincere that it’s impossible not to begin to love her yourself. Sidibe’s subtle development of her character through a simple grunt, or rolling of the eyes and her superb dead-pan make Precious likable. She don’t take no shit, and who doesn’t love a character you can respect?
The film is full of star power. From the lovely Grace Hightower cameo and Susan Taylor, the high priestess of black female empowerment, serving as Precious’s godmother in her fantasy (she would be somebody’s fairy godmother); the strength of the film is how the celebrity is stripped from the movie and you are left being impressed with the sheer dedication to the work by these mega-stars.
Paula Patton plays a tender, compassionate foil to Mo’Nique’s brash, and did I say dee-gus-ting, character. Patton is by no means a push over, but serves as the guide to Precious realizing her own strength and a reminder of all of the gentle spirits that have encouraged and motivated each one of us through simple insistence and a kind word or two. Erase Glitter from your mind — if you saw it. Mariah Carey gives a convincing performance as a case worker who grows to care about Precious while working with her. Lenny Kravitz is so unassumingly powerful, and may I say sexy, in this movie that you almost miss that it’s him. It’s always impressive when a man can maintain his masculinity, yet be tender. Kravitz mastered it. Oh, and look out for Sapphire, the author, as the day care worker.
The movie is punctuated by moments of sheer hilarity, and the supporting cast of Precious’s classmates add as much richness to the movie as the celebrities. They all move seamlessly together, yet through out all of the strong performances, Sidibe holds her own making sure that all watching know this movie is about Precious and her journey.
Even if your best friend has all but ruined the plot for you, the movie is beyond a must see. It’s a refreshing break from all of the formulaic “dude” movies (Pineapple Hangover anyone?), and corny romantic comedies to watch a gripping tale of one woman’s struggle to live. This isn’t a feel good movie, this is a be grateful movie. And hopefully, a be active movie. Once the credits role, and the lights rise, we suggest you talk about it. And then stop talking about it, get out and do something, so that Precious remains a movie and no longer anyone’s reality.
The movie is out in theaters this Friday, November 6.
© 2009 – 2011, Keisha Jenkins. All rights reserved by Sub Urban Media Group.
About Keisha Jenkins
Wonderful Review! Can’t wait to see it!
I can’t wait to see it at the Cinema Arts Festival in Houston!
I hear it won’t even be in Houston until 2010.
Wow!