Precious – 2009
Precious: With the far too long title is a film that regardless of what you make of the final product is a film you must respect in many areas. At the forefront of Precious' noteworthy veins are certainly the performances which spread only from solid to fantastic and not a notch below. The second would simply be director Lee Daniels sheer audacity to attempt a film about an obese, abused, illiterate inner city black youth, and actually achieve significant mainstream recognition. Even if the film is overly bleak, depressing and not exactly emotionally compelling on anything more than a sympathetic level, Precious is still a film that should be seen.
For the most part, the performances in Precious overpower all else, and while this is not a bad thing by any means, the story needs to be able to keep pace with the characters by which it is inhabited. The terms “breakout performance” or “newcomer” are used far too loosely, but for lead Gabourey Sidibe the moniker is apt. This is her very first performance and it is one to be remembered; she portrays the ironically (in the most tragic way) named Precious, a teen who has had many children by way of her rapist father, and continues to be abused by her terrifying mother (portrayed by Mo'Nique). Mo'Nique's performance is the only one to outshine the leads; and that is much due in part to the flashier nature of the role. Both actresses show that acting is not just a man’s profession (I refer to the relative strength of the acting categories at the Oscars most years) and both women, I hope, find a long career in films from this point forward.
To elaborate on my numerous touches on the story of Precious the film follows Precious as she faces the birth of her second child while struggling through school. She is a fiercely smart girl, who is limited only by her status and her illiteracy. As a result of her educational restrictions, she is sent to a specialty school under the supervision of the stern but loving Ms. Rain (played wonderfully again by the beautiful Paula Patton) she finds new meaning in her life. All the while, her abusive mother (Mo'Nique) tests her sanity (she blames Precious for her ex-husbands actions) until she finally leaves home.
As I alluded to, what brings Precious down is the story which seems to bolster its leads so strongly it becomes inconsequential. Couple that with the infinitely depressing tone and it is hard to enthusiastically recommend. While understandable given the context of the film, Precious exhibits many blatantly racist portions which leap out awkwardly and further drag the viewer down into the depressing state the film evokes. It is not often to recommend a film solely on the performances, but I do so wholeheartedly.
© 2009 Simon Brookfield
