PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE
By: Clayton Davis; Myles Hughes; Joey Magidson
|
|
|
|
Gabourey Sidibe & Mo'Nique are on their way to Oscar attention in Lee Daniels' Precious...
|
|
DAVIS
Not since John Singleton blazed on to the screen with his urban-crime epic drama Boyz N the Hood has a film been so honest, raw,
and genuine in its delivery. Lee Daniels, who has had more success on his producing credit (The Woodsman, Monster’s Ball) rather
than his directing (Shadowboxer), has achieved a cinematic experience of epic proportions with his film Precious: Based on the
Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire. Daniels’ artistic liberties taken here are some of the finest seen in quite some time.
The film is filled with tension, high strung drama, and painfully stricken images. The film tells the story of Clairece ‘Precious’ Jones, a
sixteen-year old young black girl from Harlem who is still in Junior High School and is pregnant with her second child. Her abusive
lifestyle has taken a toll on her life leaving an ignorant young woman with no sense of self-worth. When she is forced to attend an
alternative school for underachievers, her outlook of life starts to change.
Gabourey Sidibe, who plays ‘Precious’ gives the most outstanding breakthrough performance seen this year so far. Sidibe is
completely committed to the agony and anguish that is worn all over Precious. Her role requires more responses with silence but don’
t let that fool you, that is the brilliance of the performance. Long stares at her mother destroying any remains of self-esteem she had in
the first place, or speaking with her social worker speak about life with her mother and father. What I have witnessed with Sidibe
should place front and center with Oscar this season. She’s so accessible to your heart and capturing it from moment one on the
screen.
The ensemble cast particularly Mariah Carey, finally showing some admirable acting chops, Xosha Roquemore, who takes the
charismatic student with an edge to a new level, and Paula Patton, who looks like Alicia Keys but giving more of a Michelle Pfeiffer in
Dangerous Minds take on a teacher-student relationship. But by now, you’ve all heard about the revelation that comes from comedian
turned dramatic superstar Mo’Nique. Mo’Nique plays Mary, Precious’ vicious and ruthless mother, who takes her disciplinary role one
hundred steps too far. Who would ever think Mo’Nique had it in her? Stamping fear into the audience throughout the picture, her
words punch their way through the screen and demand the viewer’s undivided attention. She has locked herself into the Best
Supporting Actress race with an almost assured win come March 2010.
Geoffrey Fletcher’s infusive script comes into serious question of being possibly one of the best adaptations in the past ten years. The
narrative here is so strong and so well told that there are no blank spots to lose your thoughts. Some may argue that things come off
overdramatic rather than a natural crisis, I myself find it necessary and innate to get the point across effectively. Daniels’ direction is
also in need of praise and could find himself as the second African-American director nominated in Academy history. His choices
here are artistically luminous and will be a benchmark for all future aspiring directors.
The hype for Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire has been huge the past months and it succeeded all the expectations
I had for it. I admit the expectations weren’t high at all, I never believe any high hype from out in January. It was all worth it. This is the
best film of the year.
****/****
HUGHES
Don't be fooled by the overly melodramatic premise or set-up: this film serves as a wonderful showcase of just how much can be done
when you take a potentially heavy-handed, depressing story, and inject real life and heart into it. While never shying away from the
grimmer aspects of the story, the film stays entertaining, engaging, and ultimately hopeful without pushing too hard on any level.
Surprisingly strong work from Paula Patton (never better), Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz is present, and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe
plays her character flawlessly. But the real scene stealer is Mo'Nique, who presents an unflinching portrait of a monstrous woman
while also giving her a soul and a heart. This is one of the year's better films, and should not be missed.
***1/2/****
MAGIDSON
Although hindered at times by some scattershot direction by Lee Daniels, ‘Precious’ is a successful film that has some good Oscar
chances due to its across the board fantastic acting. From lead actress Gabourey Sidibe as the title character to Mo’Nique as her
brutal mother to Paula Patton as the teacher who finally takes an interest, everyone in this movie gives it their all. This is important
because if they hadn’t, the flaws in the film (and yes, this film has flaws) would be more apparent and would detract from the positives
that the movie has to offer. ‘Precious’ as a film does much more right than it does wrong, and that’s what makes it the gripping film
that it mostly is.
Clairece “Precious” Jones (Sidibe) has about as rough of a life as is humanly possible. She is 16 and can neither read nor write, is
pregnant with her second child from her father, is abused mentally, physically, and sexually by her mother (Mo’Nique), and generally
lacks all hope. When she is transferred to a new school and comes under the eye of Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins to
hope for better things. The trouble is, the world just always seems to put more obstacles in her way.
While the script by Geoffrey Fletcher doesn’t do too well with its dialogue (some of the lines would seem silly if not delivered as well as
they are), what it really does well is balance the good and the bad. While this movie is almost like watching someone be tortured, it
also knows when to bring up the idea of hope. This keeps the pain from being unbearable.
Daniels still needs a bit of fine-tuning behind the camera, though he does a serviceable enough job. Once he settles down with the
unnecessary camera movements and gets a better handle on editing, he’ll be a true force to reckon with. His best skill is his casting
eye, and here he hits a home run with every choice.
Sidibe is fantastic for a first-time actress and will likely be remembered come nomination time. Mo’Nique does work here that rivals
any supporting turn this year, and she should also look forward to some recognition. The supporting turns from Patton, Mariah Carey
as a social worker, and Lenny Kravitz as a male nurse are also pitch perfect. The acting stays with you long after the movie has ended.
Like I said, ‘Precious’ is not a perfect movie, but it’s a movie that features some of the best acting of the year. While it may not be as
good as ‘The Wrestler’ was last year, it reminded me a lot of that film, in terms of how the acting is so good and the story has such
pain, but also can bring you a smile at times. The movie doesn’t end in the best of places, but you know that you’ve witnessed a
person grow in an inspiring way. ‘Precious’ gets a lot of credit for not pulling punches with its brutality, but its ultimate success lies in
the tenderness of the souls of the characters.
***/****
|
|
|
