Precious
The movie Precious based on the novel Push by Sapphire about a 16 year old girl named Claireece “Precious” Jones who was raised in an abusive household with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend, where she deals with verbal, physical and sexual abuse from both her mother, and father who lives in a different home. Precious has one child with Down’s Syndrome, but her mother doesn’t let the baby stay in the house with them so she lives with her grandmother and the only time Precious gets to see the baby is when the social worker visits to evaluate the child care.
Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire is not an easy film to watch. A story of an illiterate, obese Harlem teenager who is impregnated by her drug addicted father for the second time and who suffers physical, mental and sexual abuse by her mother doesn’t exactly scream “date night.” Yet powerful performances by newcomers and tour de force acting by some unexpected names make Precious a film that should not be ignored.
Twenty-four year old Gabourey Sidibe, in an astounding debut performance, plays 16-year old Claireece Precious Jones. Her life is going nowhere. She steals food and tries her best to avoid the verbal beatings brought upon her by her mother, Mary, who doesn’t hesitate to use her fist or frying pans on her daughter as well.
Precious’ first child is cruelly referred to by Mary as “Little Mongo,” because she has Down’s Syndrome. The toddler is being raised by Precious’ grandma, who only brings it to the Joneses on the day the social worker visits their apartment so that Mary can continue to collect a welfare check.
Things certainly are bleak, and when they get bleak, Precious escapes in to a fantasy world in her mind where she’s a famous, glamorous actress walking the red carpet, or being adored by a perfect June Cleaver-type mom. In reality, as long as Precious can make it through the day invisible – at school, on the streets or at home – she can breathe a sigh of relief.
Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire is not an easy film to watch. A story of an illiterate, obese Harlem teenager who is impregnated by her drug addicted father for the second time and who suffers physical, mental and sexual abuse by her mother doesn’t exactly scream “date night.” Yet powerful performances by newcomers and tour de force acting by some unexpected names make Precious a film that should not be ignored.
Twenty-four year old Gabourey Sidibe, in an astounding debut performance, plays 16-year old Claireece Precious Jones. Her life is going nowhere. She steals food and tries her best to avoid the verbal beatings brought upon her by her mother, Mary, who doesn’t hesitate to use her fist or frying pans on her daughter as well.
Precious’ first child is cruelly referred to by Mary as “Little Mongo,” because she has Down’s Syndrome. The toddler is being raised by Precious’ grandma, who only brings it to the Joneses on the day the social worker visits their apartment so that Mary can continue to collect a welfare check.
Things certainly are bleak, and when they get bleak, Precious escapes in to a fantasy world in her mind where she’s a famous, glamorous actress walking the red carpet, or being adored by a perfect June Cleaver-type mom. In reality, as long as Precious can make it through the day invisible – at school, on the streets or at home – she can breathe a sigh of relief.