Every now and again a film comes along that reminds you what going to the movies is all about. You won't find any mutli-million dollar special-effects or Hollywood glamour here, just an incredible story superbly executed.
Meet Precious, a 16-year-old illiterate teen living in the ghetto and pregnant with her second child. Not the easiest of situations, especially when you factor in the abuse she experiences from her mother and father. But Precious' life starts to head in a new direction when she attends an alternative school and the people she meet there begin to have an affect on her life. Director Lee Daniels does an excellent job of handling this grim material in a manner that makes it ultimately uplifting. He builds the tension to an almost unbearable level, relieves it with a well-timed gag, and then starts the process again with the audience hanging in there the whole way.
He teases exceptional performances from the ensemble cast, none more so than newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as Precious who brings a determined vulnerability to the role that should win her the best actress Oscar (all things being fair and true in the world). Mo'Nique is ferocious as the abusive parent, Paula Patton delivers a beautiful, stable performance as the inspired teacher and the young cast of students bring vibrant energy. The real show-stoppers are music stars Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz, who are phenomenal.Carey in particular is unrecognisable from her critically lampooned performance in Glitter, opting for daggy, community counsellor garb instead of sequined boob-tubes for this role. Her character could have tipped over into melodramatic, but Carey delivers a reserved and quietly confident turn.
For a film so steeped in the harshness of reality, the little touches of fantasy are a welcome treasure for Precious and the audience alike. Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is not an easy film, nor should it be given the subject matter. Yet by the poignant closing credits you will feel like you have witnessed the art of storytelling at its most powerful.