Monday, February 01, 2010
I thought this was so incredible that I had to write a review whether it was published (on website Cut Print Review) or not. First time I've ever given a film five stars. Couldn't fault it...
It’s hard to write about an experience that leaves you unsure of what you’ve just encountered. Certain films have the ability to render you speechless; those with extreme emotional sensibility are often the culprits. This film is one of those, exploring issues that are condemned in a global society and uncomfortable to discuss. We tend to see many stories based in the ‘ghettos’ of the USA (the Bronx, Detroit etc.) to portray the struggles of black America, and while the setting of Harlem represents another troubled area it’s just as effective with an unrelentingly heartbreaking story. The hype leading up to a wide international release of Precious no doubt increases expectations – but it is truly deserved; this film is faultless.
Claireece ‘Precious’ Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is African-American, sixteen, illiterate and pregnant with her second child. She has dreams of being a skinny white blonde and famous; doing something ‘big’ with her life. Her mother discourages her from education, but when she’s forcibly moved to an ‘alternative’ school by the education system Precious learns about the good and bad that life offers. Her relationship with teacher Blu Rain (the stunning Paula Patton) is the first with love and respect that she’s ever known, and Precious learns to acknowledge that she can ask for help. Away from the safe-haven of school, her relationship with mother Mary (Golden Globe winner Mo’Nique) is volatile at best as a result of underlying jealousy and family issues. The instability of Precious’ life comes from lack of support, creating an unhappy soul who doesn’t know who she is or what her life means to her. Her dreams are the opposite of who she should want to be; conformity is rarely the answer to life’s problems but her lack of social understanding resists the theory. Based on the novel Push by former social worker Sapphire, Precious tackles complex family relationships and forces them upon the viewer to inflict the same pain as the titular character. But it’s never just one person that gets hurt, and as the story continues, the wall starts to crumble around them all.
Claireece ‘Precious’ Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is African-American, sixteen, illiterate and pregnant with her second child. She has dreams of being a skinny white blonde and famous; doing something ‘big’ with her life. Her mother discourages her from education, but when she’s forcibly moved to an ‘alternative’ school by the education system Precious learns about the good and bad that life offers. Her relationship with teacher Blu Rain (the stunning Paula Patton) is the first with love and respect that she’s ever known, and Precious learns to acknowledge that she can ask for help. Away from the safe-haven of school, her relationship with mother Mary (Golden Globe winner Mo’Nique) is volatile at best as a result of underlying jealousy and family issues. The instability of Precious’ life comes from lack of support, creating an unhappy soul who doesn’t know who she is or what her life means to her. Her dreams are the opposite of who she should want to be; conformity is rarely the answer to life’s problems but her lack of social understanding resists the theory. Based on the novel Push by former social worker Sapphire, Precious tackles complex family relationships and forces them upon the viewer to inflict the same pain as the titular character. But it’s never just one person that gets hurt, and as the story continues, the wall starts to crumble around them all.
Precious is extremely well-handled by second-time director Lee Daniels (after 2005’s Shadowboxer). Hand-held camera work reflects the unstable nature of Precious’ life fittingly, while the musical score is kept perfectly natural. However, it’s the story that really drives this film to greatness. Daydream sequences are seamless in between scenes of family abuse and general disillusionment, montages are eerie as fragmented pieces of her life and comic scenes (one including fried chicken) come as a genuine surprise. Twenty-six-year-old Sidibe in her first feature is astounding; capturing the spirit of both an ignorant teen and caring mother, and talk-show host Mo’Nique deserves her accolades in perhaps the most unexpected turn as mother Mary, who is so hateable yet pitiful. Mariah Carey even comes up trumps (shock horror) as social worker Mrs. Weiss, keeping herself covered and bringing some reality to Precious’ situation. Shot in just five weeks, Precious holds all of the major dramatic cards – a depressing story, loosely based on true stories (of girls that author Sapphire worked with), and a plot that never gives in to predictability. The latter is why this film rises above the rest – the adversity Precious continuously has to overcome is unbelievably real. The amount one can suffer is the film’s constant theme, and as you’re continually bombarded with more of her troubles the emotion easily overflows. Watching Precious is harrowing and intense, leaving you emotionally spent - but at the same time provides an experience that leaves you speechless. Films with this ability are few and far between.
Verdict:
Oprah was right to lend production/distribution help to this film. It’s early days in 2010, but Precious is already a Best Film of the Year contender. Incredible.
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