Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire is a brutal account of poverty, illiteracy, hate and isolation which swept the boards at this year's Sundance Film Festival and is already generating Oscar buzz. It tells the story of 16 year old Claireece 'Precious' Jones, played by Gabourey Sidibe, and serves as a dark social commentary on Black Harlem circa 1987. Obese, illiterate, HIV positive and the victim of incestuous rape, Precious strives for education in the hope of escaping her cycle of circumstance.
I must admit, when I heard Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry were on board, I was anticipating the classic (and frankly, often dull) "inspirational" arc, the see-how-far-she's-come narrative, which they both seem to favour. Of course their cultural influence is undeniable, but thankfully they were not the creative forces behind the film.
The film itself took some time to win me over, I wasn't sure how connected I felt with the characters and I couldn't help but see it as a modern-day Color Purple. I often found myself more in shock than feeling empathy for the characters, but the film's final scenes possess an authenticity and ugly immediacy which I challenge you to deny. Mo'Nique's final moments as Precious's abusive mother Mary boldly display her character's unnerving cruelty in a manner which is emotionally wrenching. She is revolting and terrifying and I will be surprised if an Oscar nomination doesn't come her way.
