Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe#80008, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton

In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

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84% liked it

39,195 ratings

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91% liked it

127 critics

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Lee Daniels

Release Date: November 6, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (1,709)


  • November 22, 2009
    The tale itself may seem conventional, and in some regards it is, but Precious isn't afraid to be bizarre, nor is it apologetic for the situations and characters it presents. With a life as hard as Precious's, it only makes sense that she would want to retreat into her vivid, col...( read more)orfully contrasted fantasies; the fact that we see both poles of her fucked-up existence makes watching all the more difficult. Precious is an elegant counter to something of hopeful, blind idealism such as Slumdog Millionaire; unlike the latter film, things are DEFINITELY not okay at the end of her tale, but there's still hope to be found. A little of the shade and the misery that was eternally present in Precious's face (communicated flawlessly by Gabby Sidibe, who'll be receiving Oscar attention soon) has been chipped away by her newfound gifts and revelations. Precious is an audacious movie for positing an obese black woman as a cinematic hero, and it doesn't even sanctify her at all; she's sort of a difficult person to like, but the movie makes you work for it, and sure enough you become invested in her success. Again, this is mostly due to Sidibe's portrayal of a girl with a sneaky, subdued sort of intelligence, the kind of person who has a lot of insight but is too downtrodden to share it with anyone.

    Precious, as I said before, is a bizarre movie. I don't think some of the directorial choices are going to work for everyone, most notably the unusual cutaway to a Vittorio de Sica film, superimposed with Precious and her mother acting out a scene about eating; though it can be read as a benchmark as to how far Precious is willing to go to escape her life, most viewers will probably just be thinking "what the fuck?" But then the entire movie is sort of "what the fuck?" so it really isn't that much of a stretch. Aside from a simple narrative perspective, the brightness and vividity of the fantasy scenes offer immense relief, standing directly opposite of the harsh darkness of Precious's world. The oppressive yellows and browns of her apartment melt away into shimmering reds and blues, lit from corner to corner and filled with smiling faces.

    The Oscar prognostication for the film hasn't been too far off. This is a little darker than the Academy generally goes to, and without the perfect ending of Slumdog Millionaire to run to, they might be shut down by it. But there's no denying the potency of the performances, especially Mo'Nique's, the film's not-so-secret weapon. The terms on which she delivers this performance seem a little unfair - Mary is such an incomprehensible, inhuman monster that you wonder what circumstances could possibly have created someone like her - but there's no denying the gut-wrenching technical proficiency with which she administers it. When she speaks, the unbelievability of her character seems completely overshadowed by how larger than life she is; she's there, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. She is hypnotic.
  • November 20, 2009
    Review coming soon (11/21/09).
  • November 18, 2009
    Emotionally uncompromising portrait of an overweight, illiterate inner city teen who has just become pregnant with her second child. Unflinching study is so raw and harrowing, it?s difficult to watch in parts. Be warned, this is grim stuff. Director Lee Daniels wisely lightens...( read more) the proceedings with sporadic fantasy sequences that provide some relief, even humor, to the cruel details of her life. Extraordinary newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as Precious heads up a cast that is uniformly excellent. Also of special note is standup comedian Mo'Nique in a courageously grotesque performance as her abusive mother. Impressive drama takes the viewer to places that will make you uncomfortable, but it presents her circumstances honestly and with humanity.
  • November 5, 2009
    I remember talk to my good flixster friend Riley about "Up" and we mentioned that men don't cry, we just have mist coming out of our eyes during movies. Well ladies and gentlemen, you could be mother f*cking love child of but your going to weep like a 5 year old who just stubbed ...( read more)his toe watching "Precious". The best way to describe this film is a poetic sukerpunch of a masterpiece. Yes I get it the story has been done a million times. Poor, illiterate black girl trying to make life better for herself but trust me nothing prepares you for the sheer power of this film.
    Part of the reason for this is that when you look at the cast and director clearly showing a love for the novel and a personal connection with the character that it brings out unforeseen power in everyone involved. Seriously how in all hell does the star of "Glitter" and the host if "Charm School" pull this off? Simply put then cut the bull sh*t out of their performances. Mariah Carey pulling a complete 180 degree turn, proves to have the subtlety and fearlessness that suggests that personally makes "Glitter" nothing but a real bad memory in my eyes as far as her career goes. Also props to Lenny Kravitz for a very solid acting debut.
    However, every year there is one performance, that just blows everything else out there, like a hurricane of performance. This year it has to be Mo'Nique as the abusive mother. Why because anyone can play the b*tch from hell and make her an absolute monster and that would be fine. What she does here is go past all of that and finds the tormented and tragic soul Mary and makes us even sympathize to a certain degree. Its a risk not even the majority of Hollywood's A-list is willing to take but Mo'Nique runs with it and excels.
    Though lets not take the credit from two less showy but equally powerful performances. Paula Patton is given the most difficult job here, providing the source of light in a film that is about as dark as an Alaskian night and without the big oscar moments is sure to be the most overlooked performance of the year. Which is unfortunate because she is amazing here, there is nothing sugar coated and certain about her teacher role but its her drive and hope that sets up the film's spirit.
    Though none of this would be any good if the lead did not deliver and Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidbie is something that cannot even be described, it simply has to be seen.
    As for director Lee Daniels, I got to admit this is a huge surprise for me. Not being a big fan of "Shadowboxer" but what he does here is amazing. What is essentially a combination of a black "A Serious Man" and a Tyler Perry, Daniels delivers an amazing understanding for both the darkness and beauty of life and none of it feels either corny or preachy but not overly dark and hopeless. Its amazing accomplishment and I'll be the one of many pushing for the academy to give this man the credit he deserves. As everyone else involved in this masterpiece.
    So how do I end this review, simply put "Precious" is not a film I recommend you see or hint that it maybe worth your time depending on your mood. This is a film you MUST see! Seriously can't find a screening near you I'll look, I'll pick you up, hell if it comes down to it I'll even pay for your ticket. Just don't miss this movie!
  • October 31, 2009
    "Precious" is this year's major awards picture - it was a big winner at both the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, and it's sure to go on to sweep many of the big categories at this year's Academy Awards. But let's not get too ahead of ourse...( read more)lves. "Precious", although impeccably acted, is a poorly-directed soap opera - a film that only succeeds in delivering clumsily-handled shocks. It's an exploitation of the senses, an overly-sentimental melodrama that's every bit as shamelessly manipulative as 2005's "Crash".

    Set in Harlem in 1987, "Precious" follows the struggle of an obese 16-year-old African-American girl named Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourney Sidibe). She's still in junior high school, pregnant with the second child by her father, and is ruthlessly abused at home by her wretched mother (Mo'Nique). Precious, although unable to read or write, excels in math and eventually finds an opportunity at an alternative school known as Each One Teach One. The inspirational teacher genre creeps up in this supposedly gritty melodrama, with the heavenly Ms. Rain (Paul Patton) patiently whipping her class into shape.

    Although the film is hyped as a poignant tale about an underprivileged young girl, it has nothing to do with race or class. It might, but the countless nihilistic narrative elements are so overbearing that it completely overshadows whatever the film may say about growing up as an African-American in 1980's Harlem. In the film: Precious is beaten, raped, impregnated, bullied, diagnosed with disease, and so on. It's violent, cynical, and so relentless in it's dread that I was numb by the end of it all.

    But the film's real problem is Lee Daniels' struggle to maintain any consistency with the material. He seems to be going for a sort of hyper-realism with a camera desperately in need of a tripod, but meanwhile there are such overbearing stylistic flourishes that it completely takes away from the gritty tone. The dream sequences feel shoddy and forced, painfully out-of-place and detrimental to the narrative momentum of the film. At one point, Precious and her mother appear in an Italian neorealist film. What this lazy, heartless pig is doing watching Vittorio de Sica is beyond me.

    Don't get me wrong - the film is hard to fully dismiss. As much as I resisted the film's exploitative tendencies, I was still taken aback by the brilliant performance of Mo'Nique. The final half hour, particularly a scene between Mo'Nique and a social worker played by the surprisingly great Mariah Carey, almost made me forgive every false note Daniels struck. While a few other performances didn't quite work (Paula Patton didn't do a thing for me), Mo'Nique's is as good as any i've seen this year.

    "Precious" is worth seeing for the acting, but make sure to lower your expectations considerably before entering the theater. The film is inconsistent, uneven in tone, and directed with a distracting pretension. I hate to think so negatively of a film that had so much going for it, but I found this material to be too manipulative to embrace with any sincerity.
  • November 24, 2009
    really good story. . . just if you pay attention it has every steryotype u can think of about african americans
  • November 24, 2009
    so nice movie
    and want to see this
  • November 24, 2009
    sapphire,thats my birth stone, hope it represents
  • November 24, 2009
    saw it, painful and inspiring
  • November 24, 2009
    very very emotional movie, got to see it!!!

Critic Reviews


November 21, 2009
Pete Hammond, Back Stage

A vitally honest and emotionally compelling film that hits you in the gut. full review

November 19, 2009
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Despite the film's clear social conscience and sympathy for the community it portrays, Precious never panders for compassion. full review

November 13, 2009
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

What a triumph of a film. full review

November 12, 2009
Claudia Puig, USA Today

It's hard to be unmoved by Precious' determination. Despite its melodramatic moments, remarkable performances drive home the film's inspiring message. full review

November 6, 2009
Kurt Loder, MTV

"Precious" is one of those rare movies that comes winging in from nowhere and knocks you out. full review

November 6, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

A hybrid, a mash-up that might have been ungainly, but that manages to be graceful instead. full review

November 5, 2009
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

This is a fine movie, and a deep one. It's about unearthing buried treasure. full review

November 5, 2009
Bob Mondello, NPR

Daniels may be indulging in stunt casting, and slamming plot points home with sledgehammer subtlety, but the film's milieu and characters feel alarmingly real. And its story ends up packing an emotion... full review

November 5, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The film is a tribute to Sidibe's ability to engage our empathy. Her work is still another demonstration of the mystery of some actors, who evoke feelings in ways beyond words and techniques. full review

November 4, 2009
Armond White, The New York Press

Winfrey, Perry and Daniels make an unholy triumvirate. They come together at some intersection of race exploitation and opportunism. full review

View more Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • atumusic
    August 29, 2009
    I can't wait til it comes out. i will definitely be in line opening weekend. Hope it lives up to all the HYPE!

    A

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