Live Action Movie Review - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

[ZombieHorde]

Country of origin: USA

Year: 2009

Genre: Drama

Story: A 16 year old, named Precious, tries to get her GED, but she is hindered by her intensely abusive parents.

Acting: Excellent

Humor: Some students joke around, but you probably won't laugh.

Violence: Contains rape and strong emotional abuse.

Sex: I don't recall any nudity, but there is some disturbing sexual violence.

Overall: Wow, fantastic movie. You can stream it on Netflix if you have an account. I highly recommended this depressing, yet hopeful, movie.

[Voice for Peace]

1. Just saw it the other night - loved it.

[Forkboy]

2. I've read about it and have been waiting to see it!

[charlie]

3. I just watched it

And I enjoyed it. It's beautiful, but it definitely ain't pretty.

Most films of this sort fall into the Hea-vee Message rut. The lead character has an emotive moment of soul-baring, followed by an explosion of uplift and redemption as others truly "see" him/her for the first time. The drunk puts away his whiskey, the daughter hugs her philandering father, the basketball team wins the state finals.

Not this one.

It's a slice of Precious' life. A hideous, hopeless life. And to put it baldly, she's fucked going in and fucked coming out. But she's changed, and her window of hope has grown from a pinpoint to maybe a keyhole.

I can't say this movie isn't manipulative (what movie isn't?), but for a welcome change it avoids the trite hooks you'd expect. For example, Precious lives the life of a whipped dog, but she isn't a doe-eyed waif. She's often sullen and can get snappish and physical when she's angry. She's more real, you'll more desperately want to hug her and soothe her hurts.

For actors, a villain is usually an easy gig. Uncork your inner ham and let it rip, you can't miss. But, I'll say Mo'nique deserved the props and awards she got for her turn as Precious' mom. She was brave to be as repulsive, ugly, and pathetic as she was. On film. For forever. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out she can't watch her own performance.

If you can stand to be pierced without the salve of a Hollywood ending, Precious is a rewarding experience. Highly recommended.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. A great film. I read the book, Push, and I did not see the path

to making a film of it that would carry the impact of the book. The adaptation is brilliant, the direction is outstanding and the performances are beyond reproach. Ms Sidibe is wonderful, measured and mature, I also love her on Showtime's 'The Big C'. Mo'nique in this film is unflinching perfection in a role most actors would avoid rather than embrace, I have always been a mad fan of Mo'nique and it delighted me to see her in that role.
This is a challenging film, but like the book it is life affirming and finds the love in the midst of so much pain.
Highest possible marks from me. I'd add that I'd have given the Oscar to director Lee Daniels, his work was stunning to me, simple and specific and surprising.