I have given Precious 10/10 stars because that is the most I can do. But only giving this a 10 is kind of an insult. Like I said for 2001: A Space Odyssey 14 months ago, this deserves infinity stars.
Precious is about a 16 year old girl named Precious who has a hard life-she's obese, abused and neglected by her mother(physically, verbally, etc.), and illiterate(at the start, she can write her name but she can't read the title of a kid's book).
Among other things, she's also pregnant with her 2nd rape baby-we learn that her FATHER prefers intercourse with Precious rather than her, and that is what makes the mother abusive-from jealousy.
In an effort to better herself, Precious goes to an alternative school to get a GED, and therefore improves her situation. I could write more, but I will stop here so there is a point to seeing the movie!
To continue, the acting in Precious is superb. Gabourey Sidibe, who plays Precious, won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress In A Motion Picture for her role and Mo'Nique won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for playing the mother. Both are well earned and the other actors(like Mariah Carey and Sherri Shepherd) do a wonderful job as well.
Where Precious succeeds most is with emotion. I had tears run down my face a few times, and it takes a lot for me to cry in a movie. Precious's abuse is shown often and it's all disturbing.
For example, in a flashback we see her raped by her father while the mother just watches. In one scene, the mother yells at her, and in between a string of profanity, she says horrible things like that she should get welfare instead of getting a GED, that she's nothing, and that she should have aborted Precious.
Also, after Precious brings home a 2nd baby, they push each other around(The mother is shoved to the wall, which was honestly the most satisfying shot.) Eventually Precious runs out of the apartment, falling down the stairs with the baby. Then the mother tries to hit her with a TV, and she moves out of the way just in time.
Events like this is everyday life for Precious. At alternative school, she tells her teacher; "Nobody loves me. Love has beat me, and raped me." Her teacher replies with "That wasn't love, Precious. Your baby loves you. I love you." This is the scene that made me cry the most.
You know that scene in The Shawshank Redemption where Morgan Freeman says that Andy "crawled through a river of s--t and came out clean on the other side?" That's what Precious does, and what we feel emotionally. I wanted to hug Precious and never let go.
This movie is fictional, but it's a situation many can go through. That's the most terrifying thing. I myself could connect with Precious in this way.
Some movies entertain, others inform. Precious was meant to inform. And from Precious, we can learn much.
I can't say enough to recommend Precious. Religious movies make my #1 favorite movie spot, but this easily takes spot #2. For those who can handle the tough scenes and excessive language, Precious is not to be missed. I hope I forget my name before I forget this powerful masterpiece.
Precious is about a 16 year old girl named Precious who has a hard life-she's obese, abused and neglected by her mother(physically, verbally, etc.), and illiterate(at the start, she can write her name but she can't read the title of a kid's book).
Among other things, she's also pregnant with her 2nd rape baby-we learn that her FATHER prefers intercourse with Precious rather than her, and that is what makes the mother abusive-from jealousy.
In an effort to better herself, Precious goes to an alternative school to get a GED, and therefore improves her situation. I could write more, but I will stop here so there is a point to seeing the movie!
To continue, the acting in Precious is superb. Gabourey Sidibe, who plays Precious, won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress In A Motion Picture for her role and Mo'Nique won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for playing the mother. Both are well earned and the other actors(like Mariah Carey and Sherri Shepherd) do a wonderful job as well.
Where Precious succeeds most is with emotion. I had tears run down my face a few times, and it takes a lot for me to cry in a movie. Precious's abuse is shown often and it's all disturbing.
For example, in a flashback we see her raped by her father while the mother just watches. In one scene, the mother yells at her, and in between a string of profanity, she says horrible things like that she should get welfare instead of getting a GED, that she's nothing, and that she should have aborted Precious.
Also, after Precious brings home a 2nd baby, they push each other around(The mother is shoved to the wall, which was honestly the most satisfying shot.) Eventually Precious runs out of the apartment, falling down the stairs with the baby. Then the mother tries to hit her with a TV, and she moves out of the way just in time.
Events like this is everyday life for Precious. At alternative school, she tells her teacher; "Nobody loves me. Love has beat me, and raped me." Her teacher replies with "That wasn't love, Precious. Your baby loves you. I love you." This is the scene that made me cry the most.
You know that scene in The Shawshank Redemption where Morgan Freeman says that Andy "crawled through a river of s--t and came out clean on the other side?" That's what Precious does, and what we feel emotionally. I wanted to hug Precious and never let go.
This movie is fictional, but it's a situation many can go through. That's the most terrifying thing. I myself could connect with Precious in this way.
Some movies entertain, others inform. Precious was meant to inform. And from Precious, we can learn much.
I can't say enough to recommend Precious. Religious movies make my #1 favorite movie spot, but this easily takes spot #2. For those who can handle the tough scenes and excessive language, Precious is not to be missed. I hope I forget my name before I forget this powerful masterpiece.