Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
The film Precious is based on the novel Push written by Sapphire. Lee Daniels has directed the movie and the writer is Geoffrey Fletcher. The story raises from utter despair to the level strong hope, which is emerges as a genuine work of art from director Lee Daniels. Here is a sensitive story that will move you and sympathize with the lead character but by the end of the film you will appreciate the great resilience shown by the character.
The film is so real and the performances by every actor make the movie that much more genuine and believable. And director Lee Daniels deserves a pat on his shoulder for taking the all-new actress in the lead and Gabourey Sidibe has let down the filmmaker; her debut has been a remarkable discovery and the proof is her outstanding performance as Precious.
Precious is an ugly looking fatso and she is literally dying of insecurity with her physical appearance with illiterate status, physically abused by her father and as a result she is pregnant.
Precious has no guts to face the world and how will she? She is in a whirlpool of horrifying problems that has subjugated her completely and is afraid to speak up or look into people’s face to say the least. Precious is devastated and to top it her mother (Mo’Nique) treats her badly in spite of knowing that her husband has raped their daughter. Precious’ mother is angry about her not because she is frustrated with her husband’s incest but she feels Precious has stolen her husband.
But amidst all the despair there is a strong factor that is much beyond this pain and that is hope. This hope is not that evolves out of Precious but from her teacher and social worker who believe that things can get better Precious’ life. The film definitely does not transit like a fairytale, which has a happy ending but it is about realising the inner strength and also know that each one of us are unique and special.
Amina Robinson, Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe, Stephanie Andujar in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
The film was first screened in the Sundance Film Festival with the title Push, which received the jury prize and emerged as a favorite film but later the name of the film was changed to Precious, as there was another film with the same name.
The stupendous performances from the supporting actresses definitely deserve an award but to pick one of them is a tough task. Precious’ mother Mary played by Mo’Nique is truly amazing; Mo’Nique is the most loathsome character of the film. Precious’ teacher Ms. Rain is palyed by Paula Patton and Mariah Carey play the role of Ms. Weiss who is a social worker.
The three women have given electrifying performances and not to forget the debutant actress Gabourey Sidibe who has given a phenomenal performance that will move the audience.
You will be missing out some great artwork if you do not watch the film that is so genuine. And, here is an authentic American film, which has got all the right ingredients, and the audience is served with a good and an honest film after a long time.
| Film | Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire |
|---|---|
| Cast | Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe as Precious Mo’Nique as Mary Paula Patton as Ms. Rain Mariah Carey as Mrs. Weiss Sherri Shepherd as Cornrows Lenny Kravitz as Nurse John |
| Director | Lee Daniels |
| Producer | Lisa Cortes Lee Daniels |
| Writer | Geoffrey Fletcher Ramona Lofton |
| Runtime | 1 Hour and 40 Minutes |
| Rating | 3/5 |
Posted on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 4:57 pm