Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Lee Daniels

Writers:

Geoffrey Fletcher (screenplay) and
Sapphire (novel) ...

Release Date:

12 November 2009 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is....Precious.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe	...	Clareece 'Precious' Jones
Mo'Nique	...	Mary
Paula Patton	...	Ms. Rain
Mariah Carey	...	Mrs. Weiss
Lenny Kravitz	...	John
Sherri Shepherd	...	Cornrows
Nealla Gordon	...	Mrs. Lichtenstein
Stephanie Andujar	...	Rita
Amina Robinson	...	Jermaine Hicks
Chyna Layne	...	Rhonda
Xosha Roquemore	...	Jo Ann
Angelic Zambrana	...	Consuelo
Nia Fraser	...	Ruby
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Melissa Ali	...	Aisha
Ephraim Benton	...	Skinny Boy
Matthew Bralow	...	Reggie
Camilla	...	Stray dog
Aryn Cole	...	Precious' Hair Stylist
Aryn Elaine Cole	...	Precious' Hair Stylist
Ryan Curtis	...	House Photographer
Aunt Dot	...	Tootsie
Karen Giordano	...	Candace
Grace Hightower	...	Social Worker
Maya Hinnant	...	Young Precious
Debbie Lee Jones	...	Caitlin
Christopher Joseph	...	Unruly Boy #1
Terria Joseph	...	Skinny Leg Nurse
Jeff Joslin	...	Male Reporter
Toneda Laiwan	...	Bug Girl
Daniela Lavender	...	Camilla
Deborah Lohse	...	Barbara
Alex Manette	...	Administrator Harris
Elizabeth Marley	...	Dance Teacher
Rochelle McNaughton	...	Social Worker
Barret Mindell	...	Movie Star
Bridget Moloney	...	Irene
Mugga	...	Kickin' Fried Chicken Cashier
Kola Ogundiran	...	Skinny Man
Tristan Laurence Perez	...	David
Catherine Pierce	...	Social Worker
Lorna Pruce	...	HIV Social Worker
Shortee Red	...	Skinny Boy #2
Kimberly Russell	...	Katherine
Sapphire	...	Day Care Woman
Abigail Savage	...	Bunny
Nicole Sellars	...	Red Carpet Reporter
Ean Sheehy	...	Mr. Wicher
Rose Sias	...	Ferocious Woman
Esley Tate	...	Unruly Boy
Erica Watson	...	Sheila
DeWanda Wise	...	Miriam
Victor Woodley	...	Unruly Boy #2
Yvonne Woods	...	Chelsea

Also Known As:

Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire (USA) (working title) (USA) (working title)
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (USA) (new title)

MPAA:

Rated R for child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45477) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Lee Daniels Entertainment

Trivia:

The film was originally titled, 'Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire', but the change was announced in February 2009, by Tyler Perry. It was confirmed soon afterwards by the film's distributor Lionsgate. The change was made to avoid confusion with the 2009 action film Push (2009).

Quotes:

Mary: [to Precious] Oh, so you're going to stand up there and look down at me like you're a woman? You don't know what real women do! Real women sacrifice!
[Throws glass at Precious, which shatters at her feet]
Mary: Now, laugh at that, fat bitch.

Powerfully emotive story filled with hope and optimism

I'm not surprised that Push won both the Grand Jury and Audience Award at Sundance this year. Director Lee Daniels (Shadowboxer) has created a very powerful film that manages to entertain while evoking a broad spectrum of emotions, from anger and heartbreaking pity to optimism, joy and hope.

Clareece "Precious" Jones (Gabby Sidibe) is a fat 16-year-old illiterate black girl that lives in Harlem with her welfare-dependent, abusive mother (Mo'Nique). She has one autistic daughter (who lives with her grandmother) and is pregnant with another child, both from her mother's boyfriend, who is also Clareece's father. Her mother repeatedly tells her how stupid and worthless she is while other kids taunt her for her obesity. She has become hardened and heartless, lacking education and social skills. She spends her time cooking for her mother and fantasizing unrealistically about a glamorous life. She would be easy to dismiss. Based on a novel by Sapphire, this is some pretty bleak stuff.

But good things can happen in this world and Precious is blessed with an indomitable spirit that refuses to accept the negative reinforcement that bombards her. Through her efforts, and despite resistance from her mother, she finds an alternative school. It is staffed by Miss Rains, a caring teacher (Paula Patton) and classmates who, although anything but perfect, possess enough compassion to become supportive friends. It turn out that the world can be a pretty good place.

First-time actress Gabby Sidibe gives a powerful, emotive performance. Equally good is talented actresses Mo'Nique, who is almost frightening as Precious' mother, and Patton as the compassionate teacher. Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey also have minor roles, giving the film a little star power.

Daniels conveys a Harlem existence that is profane, hard-edged and brutal, but with rays of humanity and compassion that leave room for hope. It is at once both a message to the poor in spirit not to despair, and to the rest of us make the time and effort to reach out where we can. Push is an inspiring message that will fill you with optimism and joy.

Sundance Moment: When asked about her getting the role, Sidibe said that she had some acting experience--like a non-speaking role in a college production. Pretty funny! She said her friends encouraged her to audition because she "fit the profile." She also said she relied heavily on "Mr. Daniels" for direction. Daniels said there were parts of making the movie that were hard on him emotionally--like directing Precious to eat, or instructing her peers to bully her.