Review: Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ from Sapphire

If there is a movie this year that will steal your heart after breaking it into a million pieces, Precious wins the title hands down. Delving deep into the ghettos and slums of Harlem in the late 80’s the newest film from Lee Daniels is sure to put you through an emotional roller coaster of mental discomfort.

Taking place in Harlem in 1987, the film tells the story of Precious, an overweight teen barely surviving school and pregnant with her second child. Although the circumstances of her failing grades, pregnancy and weight are beyond the audience at first, the narrative continues through tremulous territory to give an unforgettable commentary on abusive and disturbing relationships some people face on a daily basis.

To be quite honest, Precious is a gem to say the least. The protagonist, Claireece “Precious” Jones is introduced as illiterate and whimsical; constantly relishing in fantasies of fame, fortune and unconditional beauty. At first, her fantasies are distracting and somewhat unsettling; placing this less than perfect protagonist in the centre of these dreams and desires surrounded by beautiful people seems out of place. What was so amusing and important, however, about these fantasies is the evaluation we make to ourselves after the film’s gripping conclusion. The film itself is a brutal and honest survey on the widespread societal demands and expectations of others. For more than half the film I could hear others just behind me constantly complain of how ugly, overweight and displeasing it was to look at the protagonist on screen, which was becoming annoying and almost sickening. I hope that by the end of the film, my fellow moviegoers understood that was the point.

There is no doubting Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe talent on screen. Her performance is reminiscent of Halle Berry in her award winning role in Monster’s Ball. Like Berry who was stripped of all possible beauty and put into a character that she was incapable of familiarizing herself with, Sidibe guts viewers repeatedly with her honest and tragic performance. Her performance, as is her character, shines a light of absolute brilliance with each passing scene; her subdued and haunting acting along with her unnecessary demand for attention allows the film to make her character jump off the screen.

It is daunting and almost  unfair to say who follows Sidibe performance wise; Mo’Nique who plays Precious’ mother Mary is no doubt an acting force to be reckoned with. Where Sidibe shines on screen, Mo’Nique shadows her every move with cinematic poise. She plays a disgusting and chain-smoking mother whose every action is greeted with squinting eyes and a frown. Mo’Nique transforms completely on screen, from an African-American comedy queen to a serious actress with some obvious acting ability. Although Daniels gathered up quite a glamorous cast with Mariah Carey, Paula Patton and even Lenny Kravitz, he forces them to leave all star-qualities behind, dissecting them into the sometimes unrecognizable and gritty essentials. Each actor on screen sets the tone for an unforgettable and deeply moving cinematic experience.

Lee Daniels surpassed all expectations with his second film, which followed Shadowboxer– a straight to DVD release. While it circulated around in the festival circuit for a while, it definitely did not go unnoticed. Winning top honours at the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, Precious is a true winner. Not only does it establish Sidibe as an actress, but cannonballs Daniels’ directing style to a whole new level. From his heavy handed depressing tones, documentary style shaky-cam, episodic style fade ins/outs, constant 80’s inspired zooms and ambitious camera angles, by the films end, one can truly appreciate Daniels’ rise as an auteur.

Perhaps the most bizarre and unsettling moments of the film were Daniels’ unapologetic, brutally obvious soundtrack choice and his persistence to float upbeat retro inspired music with heavy-handed, slow-motion dramatic scenes of abuse and physical harm. One can only wonder if these are early trademarks of a true artist, because although it was hardly unnoticed and unconventional, it complimented the flow and feel of the film perfectly.

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is a sad, traumatizing yet inspiring film designed to encourage people to look for happiness and beauty in the most deep and dark crevasses.  It’s walloping inspiration encourages a heavy desire to evaluate one’s own life and reflection of inspirational people gathers viewers to force change and appreciate their own life once they leave the theatre. No movie thus far this year, has touched me as Precious did and is sure to conjure up some serious buzz come award season. Like the inspirational words of author Ken Keyes Jr. from the film’s opening, “Everything is a gift from the universe”, and Precious is undoubtedly a gift to cherish with others; a movie whose title we should take literally.   

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