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The problem with film festivals is that sometimes we critics speak too soon. Earlier today I stated that after seeing “Up in the Air,” it might be the best American film of the year, and until seeing “Precious” this morning, I meant it.
Two hours later, walking out of the theater, exhausted, beaten up, stunned by the images I had just seen, yet with a kernel of hope, I realized I had just witnessed a work of art. The press, us hardened critics who can be so cynical and negative, applauded this film for several minutes as the credits rolled, but it was more than that.
Most of us grew up in stable homes with loving parents, never knowing the meaning of hunger, never having to worry about being beaten or abused either physically or verbally. Most of us, but not all of us.
Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) does not know this world because she lives in hell. In her world, her father rapes her; she bears two children by this monster by the time she is 16 and refers to her her daughter, a Downs Syndrome baby, as Mongo, not out of cruellty, but out of ignorance. Precious is obese and illiterate, yet escapes from time to time into a fantasy world of her own where she is desirable and beloved by all who know her.
Worst of all is her home environment with an abusive, angry, horrible mother (Mo’Nique) who lashes out at the girl whenever the spirit so moves her, calling her stupid, fat and worthless, but also beating her constantly, throwing objects at her, and generally making her life a living hell. That Precious manages to rise above this nightmare and make something of her life, or at least begin too, is astonishing.
After being expelled from school, she enrolls in an alternative class where she learns to write under the watchful eyes of a teacher who cares. After the birth of another child, a son, she returns home to all out war with her vicious mother. She finally escapes this nightmare, and, free of her mother’s grip, her life begins to change and she evolves as a person, even when thrown yet another life-altering curve that should devastate her but seems to make her even more determined to be a good mother to her two children.
The film is often raw and so full of anger and pain it was difficult to watch, but the performances are simply breathtaking, as though life were happening on the screen and we were eavesdropping. I cannot remember an American film showing life so realistically, so brutally, or so searingly honest. Director Lee Daniels has created a masterpiece that will tower above most American films for years to come.
I cannot remember the last time I saw a film so scorchingly real, that at times I did not believe I was watching something that had been acted but rather was watching the work of a documentarian who had managed to get permission to follow this girl’s descent and journey through hell.
That is not to say the film is without hope. On the contrary, the great strength of Precious is that she makes the decision never to be like her mother and will raise and love her children as she had wanted for herself.
Much has been made of Mariah Carey’s performance as the girl’s social worker, and indeed, it is shocking to see Carey sans makeup, looking rather ordinary. She settles in and gives a realistic, fine performance as a woman bearing witness to the manner in which Precious was treated. After her terrible performance in “Glitter,” I did not ever expect to see the pop artist back on a movie screen, but here she is, and the fact is, she’s damn good.
As the abusive mother, Mo’nique is astounding, bringing to the role so much more than coiled rage and hate. This is a woman who once loved her child, but who has sunk low in the wake of an unloving husband, transferring her hatred to Precious, who was clearly (sickeningly) more “loved” by the man.
There is something quietly terrifying in her calm greeting to, “Hey Precious,” when the girl arrives home with her newborn son in her arms. We know this is going to get very ugly very fast. Her behavior makes her one of the most repellant female characters ever put on screen, a monster who does not deserve to be around children…any children. It is a bold performance because the actress knows going in she is going to be reviled by the audience. And she sells it spectacularly.
Kris has already asked why Gabourey Sidibe hasn’t found herself in the Best Actress conversation so far, and I agree with his confusion. In a brilliantly raw piece of acting, Sidibe is a revelation as Precious, and if there is any justice within the Academy, this young woman will win the Academy Award for Best Actress for what is one of the finest performances I’ve ever seen.
Always on guard against people, knowing that eventually she will get hurt, it is quite something in her fantasties to see the actress smile, a toothy grin that lights up her face with unabashed joy. We see that same smile when she plays with her child, and in the hospital with her baby, surrounded by people who care about her. But more often we see the pain she is forced to lived through, horrors that no teenager should have to suffer, nightmares that do not go away when the morning comes but that follow you all the day long.
This is daring filmmaking because it is real, because we all know things like this happen everyday. Let’s hope the Academy is daring enough to nominate the effort and honor the artists involved. “Precious” is the year’s best film.
63 responses so far
1 9-12-2009 at 5:38 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Yeah, that’s pretty much where I come down on this one. A revelation from all involved.
2 9-12-2009 at 5:43 pm
Scott said...
Grammar/diction Nazi alert: your use of the phrase “whenever the spirit so moves her” is inaccurate.
3 9-12-2009 at 5:48 pm
Danny said...
I am so excited to hear your praise on this film. I am a big fan of the novel and have been anticipating this film ever since I watched the breathtaking trailer for the first time.
Now I have three or four films I can’t wait for, thanks a lot! Just kidding, great review.
4 9-12-2009 at 5:48 pm
Loyal said...
I am curious how the film will be embraced once it’s released to the masses. White audiences seem to embrace minority themed films with either a certain naivete, even condescendingly at times (Crash for example).
I’m seeing Precious soon but as a minority who has worked with troubled youth and myself had a challenging childhood, I wonder if I’ll be as amazed by the film.
It’s curious, critics are loving Up in the Air because they see themselves in the frequent flier lifestyle (and who doesn’t want to compare themselves to George Clooney), while they love Precious for the “Thank God That’s Not Me” raw nature of it all.
Gotta love the award season.
5 9-12-2009 at 5:49 pm
Dan said...
Nice to hear you also loved the film! The trailer makes it seem somewhat cringe-worthy, in a bad way, that is.
6 9-12-2009 at 5:50 pm
Pablo (Col) said...
You just moved me with your review. I hope to see this movie soon in order to witness its magic by myself.
Sidibe should be on the top 5, that cannot be denied.
7 9-12-2009 at 5:56 pm
Rae Kasey said...
I hope the glowing reviews combined with the beyond brilliant marketing are enough to ensure Precious does great business this fall.
8 9-12-2009 at 6:00 pm
AmericanRequiem said...
damn man, sounds awesome, ill be there, though it still semms hard to win best picture, who knows, seems we already have a locked spots for best picture
9 9-12-2009 at 6:09 pm
R.J. said...
My anticipation for this film mounts with every word uttered about it. This review itself moved in a way I wasn’t expecting, my excitement is overwhelming at this point!
10 9-12-2009 at 6:31 pm
Robert Hamer said...
I hate to be the asshole who shits on everyone’s cereal regarding Precious, but are you and Kris sure that it was the film itself and not the subject matter that moved you so much? *Of course* a film about an abused teenage mother learning to improve her life is going to be powerful stuff; that doesn’t necessarily mean that the movie itself is great.
Hopefully I’m wrong and I’ll be just as moved by the film as you were, but I can’t help but recall another glowing review of yours where I suspected the film – The Passion of the Christ – moved people because it was about Jesus and not because it’s quality.
11 9-12-2009 at 6:36 pm
Jilpen said...
Robert, can’t you tell from the review that the film is what affected him and not simply the subject matter? Just because the subject matter is powerful doesn’t mean that you will affected by it.
12 9-12-2009 at 6:39 pm
alex said...
I think Sidibe, Streep and Mulligan are locked for Best Actress.
Mirren is also looking good, if we assume she is going lead.
Then it’s a battle between Cotillard, Ronan and Cornish.
13 9-12-2009 at 6:44 pm
Robert Hamer said...
Uh, no, Jilpen, the review doesn’t actually make that obvious, and as I noted earlier, a movie can EASILY affect someone simply on what it’s about even if its execution is ordinary.
Again, I haven’t seen Precious and I may love it, but I would like to find out if a little reevaluation and critical appraisal is in order before we start jumping on the “all-time classic” bandwagon.
14 9-12-2009 at 7:00 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
The film is a piece of art, Robert. It’s not what you anticipate. So try not to psycho-analyze things. It is a brilliant FILM, and its telling is what got me, not the subject matter.
15 9-12-2009 at 7:06 pm
Robert Hamer said...
*rolls eyes* Okay, Kris, thanks for clarifying.
16 9-12-2009 at 7:17 pm
John H. Foote said...
“Rolls eyes????” — what the fuck Robert?? Do you come on here to piss people off and only to piss people off? Add something for Christ’s sake, and add it after you have seen the film.
17 9-12-2009 at 7:19 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Clearly you want to be argumentative, and that’s fine, Robert. I look forward to your thoughts once you see the film.
Also, it’s the performances — which are stellar across the board — that also got to me.
18 9-12-2009 at 7:20 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Another thing. The last thing I am is religious and TPOTC moved me, too. I know that doesn’t gel with your theory, but sometimes declarative statements only go so far.
19 9-12-2009 at 7:21 pm
Robert Hamer said...
You know, the sad thing is, John, I was actually hoping you were going to answer my damn question.
20 9-12-2009 at 7:23 pm
Robert Hamer said...
Thank you, Kris. THAT was the answer I was looking for. Believe me, I will be the happiest person on this site if I’m wrong about Precious.
21 9-12-2009 at 8:29 pm
Anonymous said...
After hearing all the positive word-of-mouth, I’m certainly looking forward to this film. However, I’m beginning to wonder if there’s some kind of inverse relation between how depressing and ‘realistic’ a film is and how much critics love it. “Precious” has moved a number of critics, but all of the reviews seem to follow the same pattern: this girl’s life is hell + things get worse and worse + there’s still hope and humanity in the end = OSCAR! And you know what, maybe that is okay; it certainly worked for “Schindler’s List,” and that’s a spectacular movie…but it’s also an experience I’m not sure I’d want to go through again. And on a bit of a tangent, I find it odd that when the “realism” is taken out of the equation but everything else is kept, films don’t do nearly as well critically. The first example that comes to mind of all things – The Hills Have Eyes. My god, that is an extremely depressing film and the horror just grows worse and worse to the point of being almost unbearable to watch…but since the villains are fake mutants instead of realistic Nazis or abusive parents, critics ravaged it. I personally hated “Hills” too, but I wonder if it’s hypocritical to hate it so much and simultaneously love “Schindler’s List.” Yet, no matter how much I love or hate either of these types of films, I know I won’t want to watch them again…and if that’s the case, I wonder if it’s really worth watching in the first place…
I’m not really sure what my point is, I probably don’t have one. It’s just some random thoughts that I can’t seem to think all the way through.
Comments?
22 9-12-2009 at 8:44 pm
RichardA said...
From what I can tell so far, Precious beats Up In The Air. I’m not surprised since Clooney’s main revelation is that he finds his soul soon after learning that racking up flight mile points isn’t so important after all. Also, sharks kill.
23 9-12-2009 at 9:21 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Again, there’s a false perception of this movie out there and Anonymous pretty much conveyed that perception perfectly. The strength of the film isn’t in the plot, it’s in the way it was filmed. There’s a reason Lee Daniels will likely be in the running for Best Director. There’s a reason the film editing ranks as some of the finest of the year. And there’s a reason the performances are cherished in some many quarters. And none of that pertains to the plight of the lead character.
In a nutshell, there’s a reason the words “it’s a work of art” are being repeated over and over again.
24 9-12-2009 at 9:37 pm
Jilpen said...
Yes, having seen Precious, I must say that the film is certainly not an Oscar begging piece of depression with a bit of self help thrown in the mix. It is truly a poetic and cinematic film and took me to places I didn’t expect to go. People are too quick to judge this film because of it’s subject matter.
And can I just say that the advertising seems like it’s trying to sell it to a more mass audience? This is probably one of the few films in recent memory where the trailer doesn’t actually say much…
25 9-12-2009 at 10:55 pm
tony rock said...
Good point, Anonymous. Hills Have Eyes is a great example. One of the few horror films I found to be quite good. C’mon, how can you not like the last revenge-filled 30 mins?
26 9-12-2009 at 11:03 pm
Jilpen said...
Kris, today I found out that Lisa Taback has been hired as the Oscar consultant for Precious. That’s certainly good news.
27 9-13-2009 at 1:29 am
Robert Hamer said...
“C’mon, how can you not like the last revenge-filled 30 mins?”
Uh, if you’re an adult?
28 9-13-2009 at 3:43 am
gogo said...
Last year you were saying Cate Blanchett would be winning the Oscar for Best Actress like a cake walk. I hope Sidibe has more chances, she can be nominated but saying “if there is justice…” should be continued with Meryl Streep winning with a performance so outstanding and throws away all the overdue status of her and balances itself upon just the performance and only that.
Precious will get a lot of nominations hopefully and Mo’nique winning.
29 9-13-2009 at 4:10 am
Matthias said...
I’ve been looking forward to this film for a long time. I read “Push” (a better title for the story, btw, that unfortunately got taken) in a seminar on coming-of-age literature during my studies and I found it a page-turner. If Lee Daniels manages to make the characters come as alive with his images as Sapphire managed to do with her words, this film will indeed be spellbinding. It’s encouraging to hear positive advance reactions anyway.
As for the Oscars, it’s my feeling that “Precious” could be the film that adds the most newcomers/unknowns to the nominations roster this year. I mean, we have that every time, don’t we: Surely, a Best Director lineup will not include all previous winners and nominees, i.e. Jackson, Eastwood, Marshall, Reitman, Cameron… But an actual chance at a Best Picture win I don’t see. Somehow “Precious” seems like a “Boyz n the Hood” thing to me.
30 9-13-2009 at 4:38 am
John H. Foote said...
See the film Robert and then we’ll talk — your history on the site does not show you to be the most reasonable with your opinions…see the film man, then we’ll talk.
31 9-13-2009 at 4:40 am
Guy Lodge said...
“one of the finest performances I’ve ever seen”
Wow, really? I don’t doubt your sincerity for a moment, John — it’s just that that’s a huge statement. I’m intrigued.
32 9-13-2009 at 7:05 am
A.J said...
Not sure if this has replaced ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ at the top of my must see list but it’s definitely knocking at the door…I’ll say they’re tied.
33 9-13-2009 at 7:29 am
Andrew said...
Will you update your predictions for BA and BSA?
34 9-13-2009 at 7:34 am
Robert Hamer said...
Very well, then, John. And don’t worry, next time I’ll sugar-coat my words and be as delicate in presenting my opinion as possible.
35 9-13-2009 at 9:42 am
AdamL said...
“one of the finest performances I’ve ever seen”
There goes John with the hyperbole again. Before you say stuff like “no justice if she doesn’t win the Oscar,” do you want to wait until you’ve seen the rest of the year’s films?! You did, after all, change your mind on the best picture within 2 hours!
And as for this film, is it wrong of me to not want to see this film because the lead is morbidly obese? That level of obsity is completely unacceptable and should not be condoned. I bet she eats enough to feed about 10 African kids on a daily basis, or at least used to. It’s completely selfish.
36 9-13-2009 at 9:52 am
Kristopher Tapley said...
Andrew: Wasn’t planning to do that until after Toronto, though I may run a comb through them tomorrow.
37 9-13-2009 at 9:54 am
Kristopher Tapley said...
Adam: Regarding the question you posed, yes, it is wrong of you, and disgusting. Though if you want some context on all of that:
http://theenvelope.latimes.com/la-et-daniels10-2009sep10,0,7544342.story
38 9-13-2009 at 10:18 am
Eric said...
Having authored the review John shouldn’t be running his mouth at people who have a differing opinion.
Nothing Robert has said deserved your condescending and unprofessional remarks. Calm down, and don’t forget that you are co-representing this site.
Robert: you make some valid points.
39 9-13-2009 at 10:56 am
Jilpen said...
What opinion? You can’t have an opinion on a film you haven’t seen…
40 9-13-2009 at 11:34 am
AdamL said...
Kris,
Read that article. There’s virtually nothing about the lead, why did you link it?
My assertion that that level of obesity is obscene isn’t that controversial surely? It might not be pc to say it, but it doesn’t make me wrong.
41 9-13-2009 at 11:40 am
Kristopher Tapley said...
It briefly details Daniels’s thoughts on poor health and why he wanted that to be part of the story.
That level of obesity might be obscene, but I think it’s disgusting to offer such a mean-spirited dismissal of the film and the lead on that basis. Not that you should be Mother Teresa, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a level of sensitivity.
42 9-13-2009 at 12:45 pm
Guy Lodge said...
The girl’s negative self-image is fairly crucial to the story, right? The film is hardly condoning her physical state.
43 9-13-2009 at 12:47 pm
AdamL said...
Well fair enough, I’m not the most sensitive of people – I should probably work on that. I think my dismissal of the film also comes from a very treacly trailer that basically made me vomit. I’ll see the film based on the recommendations here, I guess the trailer did it a disservice.
44 9-13-2009 at 12:50 pm
AdamL said...
Guy,
If that’s the case then all well and good. I do have a problem with the fact that to cast the film he had to go out and serch for 300 pound teenagers. 300 pound teenagers shouldn’t exist, his film should have been impossible unless the lead wore prosthetics IMO.
45 9-13-2009 at 12:57 pm
Speaking English said...
300 pound teenagers shouldn’t exist? Well guess what – they do. Maybe instead of attacking them you should be supportive of them achieving a better health and self-esteem without being utterly patronizing. The reason they feel so looked down upon and insulted is because of people like YOU who are so quick to make inane, insensitive judgments like this.
46 9-13-2009 at 1:22 pm
KB said...
Well said Speaking English,
Frankly, I think it’s beneath everyone to answer any of AdamL’s ridiculous, offensive questions regarding the film.
47 9-13-2009 at 1:38 pm
AdamL said...
Saying 300 pound teenagers shoudn’t exist is not saying they should be culled.
It is saying that it is a sad indictment of government, society and culture. Which it is.
Get a grip.
48 9-13-2009 at 1:49 pm
HC792 said...
I feel I become dumber reading Adam’s posts.
49 9-13-2009 at 2:02 pm
AdamL said...
You may find my opinion offensive,
I find this offensive:
One third of children in the developing world are stunted or underweight due to malnutrition, one half of child deaths worldwide are due to malnutrition – some 6 million kids each year.
Alongside that stat bear in mind 30% of the adult population in the USA are obese, 16% of chlidren are obese, 74% of the entire population are overweight with 4 million over 300 pounds.
So when I say 300 pound teenagers should exist I mean it ion the context of how much of a failing of society it is that allows such a thing to happen. It is not restricted to the US but it is more common there than most other developed nations. In fact you look at the worldwide table, only tiny countries like Nauru and Micronesia outrank it. The increases in these statistics show no sign of abating. I find that level of indulgence to be completely offensive and something should be done.
This isn’t a diatribe against the US, it is putting my very legitimate comments in context.
Source of stats forbes .com
http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/07/worlds-fattest-countries-forbeslife-cx_ls_0208worldfat_print.html
50 9-13-2009 at 2:03 pm
AdamL said...
*shouldn’t
51 9-13-2009 at 2:37 pm
interstellar said...
“anonymous” said:” this girl’s life is hell + things get worse and worse + there’s still hope and humanity in the end = OSCAR! And you know what, maybe that is okay; it certainly worked for “Schindler’s List,” ”
Slumdog MIllionaire..? ;)
52 9-13-2009 at 3:54 pm
Eric said...
Precious will be this year’s Slumdog Millionaire / Crash.
Over-hyped for various societal reasons upon release, and all but forgotten a year later.
53 9-13-2009 at 4:42 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Eric: Sigh. Hardly. Again, it’d be nice if people who haven’t seen the film (therefore have no idea what they’re talking about) would stop perpetuating the false impression that the film succeeds for “societal” concerns. It’s more than that, and when you see it, you’ll (finally) understand.
54 9-13-2009 at 5:06 pm
Jilpen said...
Why can’t a film be about certain issues without it being criticized constantly for being preachy BEFORE people see it?
55 9-13-2009 at 6:04 pm
John H. Foote said...
Eric…it would help if Robert had seen the damned film…condescending?? I think not and anyone that knows me will laugh at that statement…
56 9-13-2009 at 8:28 pm
Marvin said...
Never thought the day would come when Mariah ended up in an Oscar-nominated movie.
57 9-14-2009 at 5:44 am
M said...
I agree Marvin, lol
Nice review Kris, I am interested in Precious. I also agree with someone else who said, could you hold up on the whole, if theer si any justice, so and so should win. At least wait until you see the rest of the movies that are going to come out. For now lets just put her in the best actress category.
I also am like that when people automatically give Meryl or Carey when they haven’t seen anyone else. Just wait and see the other performances first.
58 9-14-2009 at 7:40 am
PJ said...
Wow, some people need to chill and try being a bit less judgemental, in all senses of the word.
59 9-14-2009 at 9:54 am
Kristopher Tapley said...
M: This review was actually John’s, but it pretty much sums up my feelings to the letter, so the oversight is forgivable. :)
60 9-14-2009 at 11:25 am
M said...
Oh my apologies Kris.
61 9-14-2009 at 6:04 pm
CreoleInDC said...
I can’t WAIT to see this movie!
62 11-03-2009 at 8:13 am
YALE TINDELL said...
I really am NOT a fan of Tyler Perry Movies. I think his movies are predictable and poorly acted and boring at best. I’m glad that Tyler and Harpo Entertainment came in purely to market this piece of filmwork.
I had high expectations of Precious. This film packed so much punch, it practically leaves you gasping for air. So glad these reviews have not spoiled how much PAIN and EVIL this girl must overcome. It’s horrifying.
This film is gonna Break american’s soul and by the end of them film, you just want to stand up AND CLAP.
Standing Ovations for Mariah, Mo’Nique, Lee Daniels, and newcomer, Gabourey Sidibe