Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

(2009)

Directed by

Lee Daniels

Review by Todd Plucknett

Posted - 12/21/09

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is a beautiful, bleak little independent film by Lee Daniels that has been taking film festivals by storm since Sundance. The hype on this film is enormous, which, not surprisingly, resulted in a mildly underwhelming experience. That is not to take away from the film, though. Its impact, performances, and voice are so strong that it creates an atmosphere that is impossible not to get caught up in.

Precious tells the story of Clareece “Precious” Jones, an overweight 16 year old junior high student who is pregnant with her second child by her father. She is constantly mocked by everyone, so when she is under scrutiny, she imagines that she is famous and everyone loves her. She gets kicked out of school because of her pregnancy, eventually landing in a course that teaches basic reading, taught by Ms. Rain (the wonderful Paula Patton). Her abusive mother (Mo’Nique) bullies Precious around all the time, punishing her for “stealing her man”. Precious visits the welfare clinic frequently, which basically turns into a counseling session with the agent (Mariah Carey). This is a fairly poetic film, even though it is incredibly tough to watch at times. Somehow, it does not wear on the audience.

The performances are what make the film work. Gaborey Sidibe is iconic in her leading role. The mannerisms and speech patterns are amazing. Her work here is that of a seasoned veteran, even though it is her first film. It is as good of a debut performance as I have seen this decade. Mo’Nique is garnering the best reviews for this film, and she is definitely getting nominated for an Oscar. She is simply electrifying in her fury, yet undeniably humane in the closing scenes. However, there is a supporting female that is even better: Paula Patton. She is subtle and brilliant in her role. Her part is crucial to the film, and she has a few scenes that make her character completely magnetic. Mariah Carey is superb in her few scenes. Lenny Kravitz also provides a highlight as a nurse at the hospital when Precious goes into labor.

There is one glaring flaw that is holding Precious back. It is the direction of Lee Daniels throughout the first half of the film. He directs it with a paranoid energy that is incredibly distracting. It was like if Aronofsky had directed The Wrestler like he did Pi. It really took away from many of the scenes. There were also the awkward transitions to daydreams that skewed the atmosphere. The quieter scenes are the ones where the film is at its best. If you are not nearing tears in the final scenes, then you have no heart.

There are also some common film elements that could have detracted from the film, but actually increased its effectiveness. One of those elements was the voiceover by Sidibe when she would be walking down the sidewalk, tuning out during class, mentally slandering her mother, etc. This was one of the most appealing parts of the film. It was like the best moments of Chapter 27, when we truly understood what it would have been like to be Mark David Chapman, hearing his deepest thoughts and skewed reality. This is where Sidibe flourishes. Precious is a complicated character, and every emotion is portrayed with humanity and effortlessness. She is a born performer. In a lot of ways, it could be compared to Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler. Their characters are irresistible, and even though most of the film focuses on the bleaker elements of life, they also flourish in the quieter, more lighthearted moments.

Precious is a film that is bound to cause controversy. The melodrama throughout is going to challenge the audience, but it is the content that is most pressing. The issues of incest and abuse are portrayed with unrelenting honesty. The monstrous mother character is the emotional center of the film, and her decisions and delirious view of the world are likely to spark debate. This is what I appreciated most about the film. It was not afraid to be different and be blunt. Perhaps if there wasn’t the monumental buzz on this film, then I would have been completely blown away. Either way, the film is a great achievement. With this film being backed by Tyler Perry and Oprah, this little darling indie film is unquestionably Oscar-bound. I can’t really argue with that either. It is a special film.

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