Precious is one intense and powerful movie. It’s about an obese, illiterate, sexually and physically abused African American girl who refuses to give up on herself when everything around her conspires to wreck her and beat her down.
The reason why the movie works as well as it does — in spite of a not great script– is the performances of the women. This is a movie all about women and their struggles to be seen and heard in a world that doesn’t give a shit. Gabourey Sidibe makes an incredible film debut as Clarieece “Precious” Jones the girl who refuses to give up. She breaks your heart and mends it all in a two hour period.
Monique, who is best known for her comedy, plays Precious’ vicious mother Mary. Mary is a monster. I have not been as terrified watching a woman onscreen since I first saw Margaret Hamilton in her green face holding Dorothy hostage in The Wizard of Oz. Mary is even scarier than Faye Dunaway channeling Joan Crawford in Mommy Dearest. Just when you think Mary can’t get any worse, she does, and you honestly cannot believe you are watching such horror unfold onscreen.
Paula Patton plays Blu Rain the teacher who helps Precious discover love. She shows her that people can care about others. She has a smooth, calm and reassuring voice that guides Precious. Mariah Carey (sans makeup and any glimpse of her real life) plays the social worker Ms. Weiss who tries to connect with Precious and get her to talk about the abuse.
Precious challenges and assaults every nerve ending. It pushes the viewer to see people that are mostly invisible in the culture (and onscreen) and humanizes them. But Precious is by far not a perfect film. The script by first time screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher is really far fetched and paints a picture that is only there black and white (not talking about color here) and full of stereotypes. For example, the women who brutalize Precious are dark skinned while the women who help her are lighter skinned. What does that mean? Is it intentional? What if anything is he trying to say? What is most missing from the film is nuance and gray areas and that is clearly the directing choice of Lee Daniels. He wants you to think in extremes because Precious’ world is extreme.
I hope that people go out and see Precious. It’s very much worth it. But be prepared, it is a movie that will move you, and challenge you and leave you breathless at times. Don’t go if you are looking for something light. Go and use this movie as an opportunity to have some really important conversations that most of us usually avoid because they are hard. That just might be the most important thing this movie can do. Make us talk and listen.
Precious opens up in limited release today in Chicago, NY, LA, and Atlanta. Details here.
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It still hasn’t come out where I live. GOD! I’m dying to see this.
If I remember in the book “Push” Precious views being light skinned as better/prettier because she hates herself (and her family who would presumably be dark skinned). There’s a strange preference for lighter skinned people sometimes even in the black community, so it’s another aspect of how she’s made to feel by society. I don’t know how it relates to the movie since I haven’t seen it yet. Just thought I’d mention how the book portrays that.
Melissa, Have you read the book?
You gotta read the book.
Hope to hear what you think of the book and how the script was adapted.
Re: light skinned saviour to the rescue stereotype-
it’s not that way in the book. What happened in casting is another story, but the Blu Rain character is dark skinned with locs, in the book. I’m giving the director the benefit of the doubt rather than calling inter- racial prejudice on this one. I have a feeling that Patton brought a certain chemistry they were looking for…that and all the other factors that go into casting…I just don’t think they specifically looked for an actress with lighter skin & straightened hair.
Having read the book, and being stunned by it, I’m looking forward to seeing the film, though I know it’s going to stun me even further.
Well I read the book – when it first came out. And I feel the the film is an expansion of the book. I might add: at the time I [as an Afr-Am]read it back in the 90s – lots of other Afr-Ams refused to read it because it is so dark.
My attitude abt the dark is that, it is not something you run from, it’s something you hold up a candle to, to see and better understand.
==
The strength of the film is in the performances of the women/one man aka Lenny Kravitz. Yes! Lee Daniels allows them alllllllll
to shine: from the leads down to the supporting players.
The audience I saw it with was riveted. You could literally hear a pin drop!
Though I cheer on prolific women filmmakers, Lee Daniels proves it is also possible for the right man to make a fine film about women.
I saw it yesterday. Gaby, Paula, and Monique were all amazing! Though I’m confused as to why Daniels would go so against the physical type that Blu Rain is supposed to be in the book.
*Discussion of spoilers below*
How can I see a movie if I can’t make it through the trailer without weeping?
More to the point, I can’t handle certain kinds of violence in film and I search for spoilers before seeing films that might be triggering. I’ve been looking for spoilers on this film and can’t find any. If someone could please let me know… does a baby die in this film?
I suspect so, because the reviews talk about two pregnancies, but only ever mention one child. If there is a baby that dies I can’t see the film without making myself miserable. I appreciate the filmmaker bringing the cycle of abuse and the effect of poverty on young women to the screen, but… I really need a spoiler on this. Could somebody help me?
SPOILER:
Eileen, no babies die in the film. There’s only one baby mentioned because Precious’ first child has down syndrome and doesn’t live with her.
I’ve been waiting for months to see this film, and was incredibly disappointed to see that the release is limited. Anyone know when it’ll be widely viewable?
Kate I think it goes into wide release on November 20th.
more theatres this weekend and wide the 20th.
there is a link to the site on the blog where you can find the theatre info.
I’m gonna read the book. I have it on my bed now.
Salamishah Tillet and a long discussion thread on differences between reception of “Precious” and of “the Color Purple”—— made me think! http://www.theroot.com/views/color-precious
I’ve yet to see this film but wanted to comment that it’s box office run this past weekend in only 174 theaters was phenomenal. Nice to see a quality film about women do well.
I feel compelled to point out that screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher did not cast ‘Precious.’ I’m referring to these lines:
“The script by first time screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher is really far fetched and paints a picture that is only there black and white (not talking about color here) and full of stereotypes. For example, the women who brutalize Precious are dark skinned while the women who help her are lighter skinned. What does that mean? Is it intentional? What if anything is he trying to say? ”
Again, he’s the film’s screenwriter, not the casting director. So asking what Fletcher is trying to say by having dark-skinned characters be evil and light-skinned characters be caring and nurturing seems bizarre to me. Perhaps it might be better to address questions along those lines to the director, casting director, and perhaps the producers. And director Lee Daniels has been asked this question several times at post-film screenings on the festival circuit.
Also, there are three darker-skinned women in the film who are kind to Precious, so…not sure that theory entirely holds up. Their roles weren’t as prominent as Paula Patton’s and Mariah Carey’s but still, it takes a multi-hued village to raise Precious. And I say that as a dark-skinned woman who has been a foot soldier in the colorism wars for years.
I also didn’t find ‘Precious’ to be far-fetched at all (I’ve met and known many a Claireece Precious Jones in my life), but I suppose that’s a matter of perspective.
Love the blog….
Precious is a stunner. The character of “Mary” has stayed with me. Incredible acted; Mary is heinous & tragic. Rough film to watch but very satisfying.
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