"Precious," has been one of the most talked about movies aside from "Twilight" this past month. It stars actors both familiar and new. Set in the late 1987 this movie introduces Gabourey Sidibe as Claireece "Precious" Jones, a 16 year old girl from Harlem dark skinned, overweight, and poor. Despite her outside appearance she exudes a confidence, spirit, and faith that many women dealing with her lifestyle couldnt imagine. She was abused by both her parents. Her mother abused her mentally, physically, and emotionally. She beat her, called her names, and forced her to eat food so she would become overweight and unattractive because she was jealous her husband wanted to have sex with her daughter. Her father raped her since she was three, and at 16 years old Precious was having his second child. pregnant twice, and gave her aids.
The movie setting was great and the story line refreshing. There hasn't been a movie with meaning shown worldwide like Precious in a long time. The movie setting was realistic and captured every bit of Harlem in the 80's with the costumes, style, and scenery. The narrative style added a nice touch to the movie. It helped me understand Precious as a character, which would have been difficult because her character didnt show much emotion (facial expression) throughout the movie.
Precious' character had many different sides to her that i loved. Although she wasnt the most attractive young woman she tried as much as she could to be that beautiful girl she saw in her dreams. A young woman dealing with everything she went through would've been broken by circumstance, but not her. She still did her hair, put on makeup, and even dressed as best she could. Despite her lack of confidence at times she stood up for herself, and those who she cared about. Her passion for being famous came from her wanting for someone to love her, to want and care for her because when you're famous everyone wants to be, meet, and want you. Never once did she allow her mother, nor her lack of education, or even her pregnancy to stop her from doing what she needed to do in order to better herself. Gabourey Sidibe, the essence of Precious' character. I could really relate to her characters every emotion her happiness, saddness, and relief as i watched the differences between Precious, and the person she dreamed of becoming.
Monique did a fabulous job as Precious' mother, "Mary Lee Johnston." Althought i didnt like her character in the movie she reflected every bit of what Mary's character was supposed to be. She was emotionally connected to this role because it showed on screen; not that this character was a real challenge for her in my opinion. Mary's tough exterior covered the insecurity, heartbreak, bitterness, and guilt of her past and Monique definitley expressed that through her tone of voice, her characters anger, and her emotional break down after Precious leaves. Her character changed as she lost control of the only person she had left to care and love for her. I couldnt help but feel a pity for Moniques character after she confesses to letting her husband rape Precious so that he wouldnt leave.
This movie is about courage, will, and strength. It has an uplifting outcome that can only be appreciated by honesty and reality. Not everything is perfect, but you learn from this movie that nothing in life is what you expect it or want it to be only what you make it. If you allow it to defeat you then you will crumble and fall just as Mary Lee Johnston, and her husband (died of aids).
I would definitley encourage anyone of age to see this movie.
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