Precious [Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire]
Starring: Mo'nique, Gabourey Sidibe, Mariah Carey
Directed by: Lee Daniels
4/5

Poor brave Precious and her fucked up life. Honestly, just about everything went wrong for this girl except blowing up into a million pieces.

From what i've noticed, most people are loving this movie, but every now and again you get someone who found it to be a little over done. In a way, i can see what those people mean. Although the setting is realistic, and there's no doubt in my mind people live with these sorts of fucked up circumstances daily [i'm no stranger myself to life fuckery], there was a point where i felt a little, "enough is enough". Sexual abuse from her father, mental abuse from her mother, poverty, obesity, loneliness, teen pregnancy, we definitely got a mixed bag. Once she was diagnosed with HIV however, i just felt it started to get a bit too 'daytime TV' in regards to "drama". As i said before, everything that could happen to this girl, happened. I didn't know if she was going to get hit by a car next, or get shot in the head.

There were glimmers of hope for Precious throughout the story though, and i guess that was what kept me engrossed in everything without getting too lost in all the negative hysterics. The sad thing is, even though it does become one tragic affair after another, life for the most part can be quite ugly for people, so maybe Precious really did just get the rawest end of the stick.

As "eventful" as the story was, what really keep this movie floating was the acting. If you are an actor who wants to really dig your fingers into something raw, this is the type of role you'd LOVE to get your hand on. Everyone involved was fantastic, with the stand out being Monique [who played Precious's evil Mother]. With other great supporting roles like Precious's teacher, her fellow classmates, and her Welfare Counselor [Played surprisingly well by Mariah Carey], there's A LOT to get out of this acting wise. The final scene involving Precious, her Mother and her counselor in a room together was the high point of the film for me. Hard hitting stuff, and Monique was CRAZY good in it.

If you've seen a "ghetto life" themed movie before, this may not shock you as much as someone who wasn't very familiar with this kind of material. However, Precious's story is rather heart breaking at times, and whether you're used to seeing this stuff before or not, it will still leave you with some sort of emotional impact.