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'Precious' packs a punch

Published Dec. 4, 2009

Awards season can be a tedious time. Most films released after Nov. 1 are practically begging for any nomination they can scrape up. "Precious" is not one of those films. "Precious" does not struggle to hold your interest with overwrought monologues and teary revelations. Stark and heart wrenching, "Precious" commands your attention with its breathless portrayal of a savagely abused black teenager and the hellish world she lives in.

Set in '80s Harlem, "Precious" tells the horrific but ultimately inspiring story of Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe). When we first meet Precious, she is 16 years old, illiterate, obese and pregnant with her second child. With her terrifying home life reaching a boiling point, Precious reaches out to an alternative high school program and finds the family she has been searching for. With the help of her teacher and her classmates, Precious is able to overcome her crippling past and gain hope for the future.

What elevates "Precious" beyond the typical abused teenager storyline is not only the severity of the abuse, but the stunning performances each actor brings to the table.

With no previous acting experience, Sidibe shows more talent than most seasoned actors have in their entire careers. Sidibe's performance is a heartbreakingly subtle one. When playing a character, such as Precious, it's easy to slip into stereotypes and the performance often feels forced and insincere. Somehow, Sidibe managed to glide past this obstacle with ease. Sidibe does not seem to be acting and actually becomes Precious.

The person who has been turning the most heads with this film is Mo'Nique. Nothing can prepare you for the way Mo'Nique tears the screen apart. Mo'Nique plays Precious' mother, Mary, a vile woman who abuses Precious in every way possible. Mo'Nique gives a layered, unforgiving performance that transcends past the requisite film villain. Her performance is unwavering and nearly demands an Oscar.

Sidibe and Mo'Nique are the stars of the show, but they are by no means the only contributors to the film's quiet realism. Paula Patton, a relatively unknown actress, is completely endearing as Precious' teacher Blu. Lenny Kravitz enters the film as a helpful male nurse, but the real surprise here is Mariah Carey. As social worker Mrs. Weiss, Carey plays a harsh, "unglamorized" woman with grace.

These powerful performances would be for naught if it weren't for the talented hand of director Lee Daniels. Daniels opted for a gritty, downplayed look that lets the story shine through.

The one problem with "Precious" is when the main character slips into her own dream world to escape reality. These loud, garish scenes contrast with the rest of the film far too much and lessen the emotional impact of the film. But, Daniels balances the unrelenting horrors of Precious' life with surprisingly lighthearted scenes. It is through Precious' touching and often-humorous inner monologue that we learn who she truly is: a young girl who must learn to trust and love others.

I don't want to sugarcoat this. "Precious" is hard to watch. The starkness with which Precious endures her pain leaves little room to feel the trauma she is experiencing. Conversely, this allows you to feel relief, joy and hope along with her. If you give it the chance, "Precious" will inspire you.