Ryan McNeil
Many of those who read this blog, and certainly the guy writing it, take humanity for granted. Sure we all have our day-to-day problems, but we carry them knowingly with the comforting thoughts that we have warm homes to return to, and loving people to help us through them. but what about those who don’t have such luxuries? What is life like for those who not only live in financial poverty, but have also come to depend on people who are morally bankrupt?
Such a burden is the focus of Lee Daniels’ film PRECIOUS. It’s one of the toughest films I’ve seen all year, and one of the best.
Set in 1987 Harlem, PRECIOUS is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe). At sixteen years old she is illiterate and still in junior high. She lives with her mother Mary (Mo’Nique), who only ever seems to eat, watch TV, and collect her welfare cheque. When she isn’t doing that, she continually takes swipes at her daughter through mental, physical, and sexual abuse.
Precious has one child already, and is pregnant with a second. Both times she was impregnated by her rapist father. When her school gets news that the second baby is on the way, they arrange for her to attend an alternative school. It’s here where a teacher named Miss Rain (Paula Patton) pushes Precious to become something more. She prods her not to be content to be another victim of the system, and to work for something better.
Unfortunately, before anything in life can get better for Precious, it will have to get worse. Much worse.
Watching PRECIOUS unfold was a strange experience. I couldn’t help but think back to the Toronto International Film festival, and the afternoon I spent listening to Saphire read from the source material Push. While the first act of the film was gloomy and saddening, it didn’t seem to tell the story with the same amount of venom that Sapphire had in her voice. Of course, right when I was settled into being let down by my own expectations, the film backhanded me across the face and began its soul-shaking second half.
Almost exactly fifty-five minutes in, the movie digs deeper and unsettled me in every way possible. Leading the way is Mo’Nique in her deplorable performance as Precious’ abusive mother. She will have your complete attention as she buries herself in this reprehensible role. Not only will her actions unnerve and disgust you, but just when you’re ready to close the door on her, she’ll jam her foot in the frame and make you listen to one last thing that send your opinion of her into a whole different direction. Coming into tonight, I knew that Mo’Nique has won awards a-plenty for this part. Having now seen for myself, I can say for certain – she is every bit as amazing as the hype would have you believe.
If anyone was going to keep up with Mo’Nique, it’s Gabourey Sidibe. The 26-year old actress is as fresh-faced as it gets, but she brings an amazing amount of both innocence and life wisdom to the part of Precious Jones. She begins the movie as an illiterate middle-school student, and she plays the part with a respect for the station in life. She gives you the impression that somewhere inside she knows she deserves better, but how can she begin to find what’s better when she can’t even read? What makes her performance all the more extraordinary, is the true sorrow she begins to express when she does start trying to find what’s better. She shocks and rattles us when she finally reaches her breaking point.
It’s at this point that she doesn’t yell…doesn’t throw a tantrum…she can only weep, and beg to understand why life has chosen to deal her the hand it has. She fills the moment with anger, misery, and a lot of pain, and drags us through one of the saddest movie moments in recent memory.
PRECIOUS succeeds by avoiding cliche. Yes, it’s a story about an abused and underprivileged black girl, which might feel like a story we’ve been told before. However, the character complexities of both Precious and Mary give the story an authenticity. This is not a Lifetime Network made for TV story designed to inspire. This is an unflinching, greasy, grimy look at those who are truly unfortunate…showing how becoming complacent to society and decency can destroy one’s life, and take so many other lives down with it.
Four stars? Noooooooooooooooo. Okay, fine 🙂 Did you have any problems with it? [I'm like a dog with a bone here.]What did you think of Carey and especially Patton?
I'm going to see this this weekend, hoping to keep my expectations in order as I'm not sure I want to watch this.
I saw it over a month ago and I am still thinking about it. I read the book as well…five times since. Overall, I have to say it was an eye opener. You look at people and judge them, but you don't really know what made them that way. This film was long overdue.
@ Andrew… Yup, 4 Stars for the second time in a week. Sometimes I think I hand such a rating out too liberally, but that's a discussion for another post.
Patton is really good in the film, even if her character teeters towards cliché…Carey is as good as she needs to be, which is to say that her character isn't actually all that important to the film (Lenny Kravitz's character too while we're at it).
@ Univarn… This will sound weird, but I went in expecting to be disappointed, and yet I loved it. make of that what you will.
@ Chemi… (First of all – Thanks for reading!). I've wanted to get my hands on the book since hearing Sapphire read selections from it a few montsh back – I especially can't wait now.
As for not knowing what made people the way they are…I think that was what affected me most about the film. Listening to someone explain something truly awful…I found myself confused. sadness, disgust and empathy were all pulling at me at the same time. It's such an awful state of being, and a rare reaction to get from a film.
Ooh good timing- I'm finally seeing this today! I know it's going to be pretty raw and gritty, but I hope it's not as bleak as The Road.
Great review!
I'm glad to see some Mo'Nique love! 🙂
Glad you liked this one. The backlash towards the film has gotten so big online that people are starting to overlook how strong the two main performances are. I guess that is what happens the minute you slap Oprah’s name onto something. While it was not the best film I saw at TIFF this year, it is definitely one of the better movies of 2009.
I wish I had been able to catch Saphire’s reading. I am curious to know how much darker the book is compared to the film.
@ Alex… Not quite as bleak as the road, but it's damned close. It will smack you around to be sure, so consider yourself warned.
@ Sage… Mo'Nique was just killer in this movie – I don't even want to know where she summoned such a performance from. (PS – Thanks for reading!).
@ CS… Sapphire's reading was great, but I gladly would have traded it for being able to go to screenings.
Funny thing, in a way the backlash heightened how much I enjoyed the film since it lowered my expectations going in. Funny the way that works ain't it?
I'm seriously wondering what it says about me when I really wasn't horrified by this. I never found it that bleak. But I won't psycho-analyse and as Univarn said a while back it seems if you're not emotionally involved in this it takes away much.
Is it wrong that I really want to see this? Films like this take ages to be released in my area
@ Andrew… I ain't gonna judge ya. You raise a good point though – this film does rise and fall on your level of emotional investment.
I wasn't weeping when I watched it, but I was affected, and the movie worked that much more for me.
@ Filmgeek… No, it isn't wrong that you really want to see it – it's a good film…happy or sad, it's still good!
Thank you for reminding me, I forget sometimes how lucky I am to live in the movie market that I do. Hell, I was able to catch UP IN THE AIR when it was only playing in 15 theatres!
Can't wait to read what you think about it when you see it.
Love this review and I'm enjoying the pod casts. I would be honoured to be a guest on your pod cast.
@ Jillian… Glad you dug the review and the podcasts! I'll definitely put you on the list of Matineecast guests – it'd be a pleasure to have ya.