Precious is a heart-gripping drama about an obese, illiterate and pregnant girl who lives with her abusive invalid mother in Harlem. Upon the birth of her second baby, which was sown in by her father, Precious decides to change her fortune by applying for an alternative school while battling the unknown and the harsh.
The moment I first saw Precious' trailer, I knew this was a film to watch for. And I have to say I do not regret spending two hours in front of a computer monitor just to watch this superb film.
Gabourey Sibide gave an outstanding performance as Precious. The way she acts seemed to reflect that numbness one gets from constant abuse, and you could really see her struggle to improve her fortune. The heart-melting scene where she finds out that she has HIV had me tearing up a bit, which is a sign that her acting is no less than effective and efficient. She might not be as well-known as her other costars but her efficacy levels them. I smell an Oscar for her, and they can never go wrong with her.
Comedienne Monique meanwhile, gives such a monstrous yet memorable performance as the abusive mother. Monique holds nothing back--throwing pans and glass objects to her costar and even physically inflicting pain on her, and there even was this scene where she just threw a child down to a sofa! As much as she shone as an abusive mother and as efficient as her performance is in soliciting gasps of horror, the scene where she tries to reclaim Precious back was another proof that she could succeed Penelope Cruz. Her sob monologue was a bit cringing, translating all that suppressed hate and abuse to an expression of extreme apology. Like Penelope Cruz last year, I am betting my aces on Monique. Her portrayal of a hateful mother devoid of maternal compassion is haunting as it is awesome.
Mariah Carey is never to be forgotten, so is Paula Patton. Carey shone as a social worker who refuses to be attached, but in one scene it showed that even in such a solid facade, she could not escape the penetration of extreme emotions. Paula Patton too, gives an endearing character of a teacher such a humanistic flair.
In terms of story, Precious does not go bush rounding. It is as straight to the point as all the cuss words there and shows a fusion of realism and naturalism, with the best backdrop for such color-- Harlem, New York. The stark realism presents itself too on the sharply contrasted speech patterns among the different characters.
All in all, the film can be compared to a tunnel. Lee Daniels directed it in such a way that you enter it knowing it will be dark, but as you progress to the end, you can see the light and the unknown yet lighted path that follows. It's something quite juvenile but nonetheless the execution was superb.
Final verdict? Taking over Toronto and Sundance, Precious can never ever go wrong. Such socially and morally-conscious film with a beautiful layering of human emotion and spirit cannot be ignored. Just like Slumdog Millionaire, Precious captures the heart of the viewer, and with actresses preferring to go dirty over glamorous, the stark realism of the film will both haunt and inspire you. Not as apocalyptic as 2012, but it says one thing-- there is still hope.
The Oscars can't so go wrong with this. Expect awards or nods, the least for Sibide, Monique, and hopefully Carey and Paton. And like the film, it will defy odds and hopefully win Best Adapted Screenplay, Director and Picture.
The moment I first saw Precious' trailer, I knew this was a film to watch for. And I have to say I do not regret spending two hours in front of a computer monitor just to watch this superb film.
Gabourey Sibide gave an outstanding performance as Precious. The way she acts seemed to reflect that numbness one gets from constant abuse, and you could really see her struggle to improve her fortune. The heart-melting scene where she finds out that she has HIV had me tearing up a bit, which is a sign that her acting is no less than effective and efficient. She might not be as well-known as her other costars but her efficacy levels them. I smell an Oscar for her, and they can never go wrong with her.
Comedienne Monique meanwhile, gives such a monstrous yet memorable performance as the abusive mother. Monique holds nothing back--throwing pans and glass objects to her costar and even physically inflicting pain on her, and there even was this scene where she just threw a child down to a sofa! As much as she shone as an abusive mother and as efficient as her performance is in soliciting gasps of horror, the scene where she tries to reclaim Precious back was another proof that she could succeed Penelope Cruz. Her sob monologue was a bit cringing, translating all that suppressed hate and abuse to an expression of extreme apology. Like Penelope Cruz last year, I am betting my aces on Monique. Her portrayal of a hateful mother devoid of maternal compassion is haunting as it is awesome.
Mariah Carey is never to be forgotten, so is Paula Patton. Carey shone as a social worker who refuses to be attached, but in one scene it showed that even in such a solid facade, she could not escape the penetration of extreme emotions. Paula Patton too, gives an endearing character of a teacher such a humanistic flair.
In terms of story, Precious does not go bush rounding. It is as straight to the point as all the cuss words there and shows a fusion of realism and naturalism, with the best backdrop for such color-- Harlem, New York. The stark realism presents itself too on the sharply contrasted speech patterns among the different characters.
All in all, the film can be compared to a tunnel. Lee Daniels directed it in such a way that you enter it knowing it will be dark, but as you progress to the end, you can see the light and the unknown yet lighted path that follows. It's something quite juvenile but nonetheless the execution was superb.
Final verdict? Taking over Toronto and Sundance, Precious can never ever go wrong. Such socially and morally-conscious film with a beautiful layering of human emotion and spirit cannot be ignored. Just like Slumdog Millionaire, Precious captures the heart of the viewer, and with actresses preferring to go dirty over glamorous, the stark realism of the film will both haunt and inspire you. Not as apocalyptic as 2012, but it says one thing-- there is still hope.
The Oscars can't so go wrong with this. Expect awards or nods, the least for Sibide, Monique, and hopefully Carey and Paton. And like the film, it will defy odds and hopefully win Best Adapted Screenplay, Director and Picture.