Precious (Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire) (R) BUY THE:Poster!
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It's ironic that the most unwieldy title in recent memory is attached to a film whose considerable virtues and overwhelming power are so simple and direct. In keeping with nearly all of the films he's either directed or produced, from Monster's Ball to The Woodsman to Shadowboxer (last year's barely released brother bonding picture Tennessee being the exception), Lee Daniels has fashioned a film that is often not the most pleasant to sit through--but such is the raw reality of the title character (Gabourey Sidibe), an overweight, illiterate, physically, sexually, and emotionally abused 16-year-old pregnant with her second child. The depths Precious finds herself in are truly Lars von Trier-heroine-level harrowing and horrific (and, much like Björk in von Trier's Dancer in the Dark, Precious escapes to a fantasy world when reality all too often becomes too much), but the same reason why her ordeals cut so deep is also why her climb to a sense of self and peace is all the more involving and uplifting: Sidibe's startlingly natural and expressive debut performance, which makes every emotional beat intimately felt. Hers is actually but one of three truly superlative performances here. Mo'Nique has deservedly grabbed attention and acclaim in the film's showiest part, that of Precious's nightmare of a mother; but just as good and almost doomed to be underrated is Paula Patton, a subtly affecting pillar of strength as the teacher who is the central force in Precious's change of direction. Having music superstars Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz play far against type in unglamorous working class parts may reek of desperate stunt casting on paper, but they rather effectively disappear into their roles as a social worker and nurse, respectively. Helping cushion the harsh reality are the dollops of humor Daniels and screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher organically add to the story, mostly courtesy of Precious's colorful classmates. I hesitate to bring up the subject of awards, for films this raw and grimy are hugely difficult sells to historically more conservative voting bodies, but also because any such trophies will only prove to be irrelevant compared to the lives this film will profoundly touch and inspire.
