Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, 2009

Precious, is the story of Clarice Precious Jones, a young black woman given the opportunity to turn her life around, and it is seemingly a long shot. The film is graphic, and extremely difficult to watch at times. This doesn't mean that it isn't worth viewing if you have reservations, some of you may stay away from the depictions of physical and emotional abuse.

We find out early on that Precious, played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, is pregnant for the second time in her life, both of which are by her father. Precious has been molested and raped by her absent father through out her life, and her mother Mary, played by Monique, is just as abusive. Monique did and amazing job in the role, and is definitely deserving of her Oscar win, sadly given her career I think she's nothing more than a one hit wonder, we will see of course. If she can keep up at this level she's welcome to stick around. Gabourey is also brilliant here, the pain and suffering the young woman depicts through out the film are truly believable and nomination deserving. Actually she definitely deserved the Oscar over Sandra Bullock, and I loved the Blindside.

Since this is Precious's second pregnancy she is removed from the public school system and placed in an alternative educational program. Here she is in a class of six and taught by Ms. Rain, actress Paula Patton. It is here that Precious begins to heal, she makes friends, a support network, and begins to learn. This in turn gives Precious the courage and determination to right her life, but has the abuse she has lived through to this point made her life in reparable? Precious is not a movie with a super happy ending, with singing birds and meadows of joy. It's bittersweet, it's realistic. Still if you are up for it take a moment to see this film, if not only for the performances. The two leads are superb, but the movie works because not one single member of the cast is unable to carry the dramatic load of the film.

There are some social issues I have with the movie. It is very true that the educational system is more favorable to some races and communities, and Precious has definitely grown up in one of the worst. The issue I have is while watching a brief documentary on the special features with Oprah and Tyler Perry they discuss the abuse as something being specific to their community. I am not aware of any statistics that state this, but physical and emotional abuse to children is not race discriminate. Precious's story in that aspect is not specific to her race, but the school system she grew up in could definitely help enable it. Interesting things to ponder over.

3.5/5