Winner of three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, Lee Daniels' “Precious: based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire” will be shown in UN CERTAIN REGARD at Cannes Film Festival. This is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome.
With sheer audacity and utter authenticity, director Lee Daniels tackles “Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire” and creates an unforgettable film that sets a new standard for cinema of its kind. Precious Jones (Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe) is a high-school girl with nothing working in her favor. She is pregnant with her father's child – for the second time. She can't read or write, and her schoolmates tease her for being fat.
Her home life is a horror, ruled by a mother (Mo'Nique) who keeps her imprisoned both emotionally and physically. Precious's instincts tell her one thing: if she's ever going to break from the chains of ignorance, she will have to dig deeply into her own resources. Don't be misled – “Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire” is not a film wallowing in the stillness of depression – instead, it vibrates with the kind of energy derived only from anger and hope.
The entire cast are amazing. Starring Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd, Amina Robinson, Nealla Gordon, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz and introducing Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious” directed by Lee Daniels from a screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher based on the novel Push by Sapphire.
Daniels has drawn from them inimitable performances that will rivet you to your seat and leave you too shocked to breathe. If you passed Precious on the street, you probably wouldn't notice her. But when her story is revealed, as Daniels does in this courageous film, you are left with an indelible image of a young woman who – with creativity, humor, and ferocity – finds the strength to turn her life around.
“Sometimes actors get in a rut. They start playing the same character over and over again. And sometimes that character sucks. Mo'Nique is someone I've never liked. She's obnoxious, grating, and has never been funny. But in this movie she pulls the opposite of a James Franco. You realize she never should have been doing comedies in the first place. She should have been tackling hard core dramatic roles.
She gives an impressive and intense performance in PUSH: BASED ON THE NOVEL BY SAPPHIRE. Her character is abusive, both verbally and physically, delusional, and a force of nature. The film takes place in 1987 and follows Precious, a teenage girl in Harlem on the verge of giving birth to her second child, the product of incest and rape, and struggling with her own insecurities and disastrous home life.” Collider.com
“The premise of Push: Based on a Novel by Sapphire is so unsettling and bleak that no one would blame you if you didn't want to see it: It's the story of an obese 16-year-old illiterate Harlem girl who's pregnant (for the second time) by her own father, lives with her monstrously abusive mother, and has almost given up on life. But if you do see it, you'll find that it's compelling and artistic, punctuated with warm humor and masterful performances, and ultimately triumphant and hopeful.” Cinematical.com
“It may sound depressing — and at times it is — but Push is a lot more than that. The film is pulsating with an unexpected energy and vibrancy. While her home life is stunningly brutal and unforgiving, it is in Precious' hopes and dreams where we see her true spirit. And through an incredibly well-adapted script by Damien Paul and an illuminating performance from Gabourey Sibide we are able to find a shining ray of hope in the stories central character, even as the most horrific things are happening to her.
It's hard not to pay attention to a film that is as well-crafted and engaging as this one. And though its subject matter is sometimes off-putting, it is anchored by a character who — with creativity, humor, ferocity and charm — makes the decision to turn her life around.” FilmSchoolRejects.com
“Precious” is a horror movie, of course, and Mary is a monster, whose one glimmer of humanity – which Mo'Nique, who is utterly brilliant, reveals in a tour de force soliloquy at the finale – only makes her more horrible.
Second-time helmer Daniels (“Shadowboxer”) demonstrates a remarkable, balletic ability to juggle emotional extremes. Claireece has her fantasies, and their visualizations — of the girl as satin-clad pop star, movie star or supermodel – work as relief valves. They're never funny, but they do humanize a character who has been reduced, by those who are supposed to love her, to a piece of meat, and who presents herself to the world as a very different, far less attractive creature than the Claireece we hear in voiceover.” Variety.com
Precious Trailer
Precious Clip
This book is amazing and the movie is extraordinary, usually the movie doesn’t have the overall effect after reading the book…but this one is definetly different, a one of a kind!
After seeing an advance screening of Daniels’ “Precious” two weeks ago, I am still moved. By far, the most outstanding performance is Mo’Nique as Mary, Precious’ mother. From her utterance of her first insult to Precious, the audience knows that comedian Mo’Nique has been inhabited by a actress of Meryl Streep caliber. Monique’s delivery of Mary is so thoroughly convincing that it is an injustice to call her execution a performance. I’d warn viewer that the movie is difficult to finish. On several occasions, I considered walking out. The cinematic tragedy of Precious’ life both beautiful and suffocating.
– James Guilford
cant wait to see this movie its not in theaters were we at…
Its been awhile since I’ve actually seen a really good movie, but then I saw this amazing film. Precious’ life was filled with obstacles that most other teenagers don’t have to face. I cried throughout a lot of the movie but also realized that this was not just another sad movie that will only leave most viewers in tears. It teaches you about strength, courage, and hope as well. The actors all did so well and of course I have to mention Mo’Nique’s amazing performance as Precious’ evil mother. I love this movie and I definetly wouldn’t mind seeing it again and again:)
This movie was out of tyler perry field he need to stay on one side of the fence and that is god side
What makes the producers think this movie can “heal” someone is my question? What it does is opens wounds in many cases that man cannot heal. Yet there is a “True and Living God in Heaven with His Son Jesus” that can. I was molested for 9 years as a child and until I accepted Christ in my life, I was messed up, living for the devil and going to hell in a hand basket. This movie was negative in nature and the ending had no meaning at all. She left her mother at 17 with two children, practially homeless, no education, HIV positive, black and poor. So just because she stood up and left her mother, that was closure. Reality Check! The rich are getting richer and if they have to “sell out” their own kind, they can, they will and they have! If you’re hurting from being molested, I pray that you’ll seek God in prayer for ture “HEALING”. You healing isn’t in this movie at all! The enemy has tricked a lot of people but I pray that God shows Himself Mighty and Strong in this day of evil.
God Bless “Always”
Healed by the “True and Living God”, careful your wounds are still showing. It appears that this movie dug deeper into scabbed over wounds. God is not limited in anything He does and will use what He chooses to initiate healing. I agree that healing comes only from The Most High God, but He does move through people Christian or otherwise, if He so chooses. I suggest you seek Our Lord and Savior for the deeper healing that you so deserve. He is complete in all that He does and He has more healing for you so that you too will be an instrument of His Healing Love. May God Bless you and use you to set the captive free. The movie sounds like it is in line with what God is doing in this season. Healing the broken and wounded and seting the captive free!!!
it really makes u cry it s sad and beautiful at tha same time
The overall story line was good, the movie is a bit overrated. There should have been more of a story. Mariah Carey was overrated also she was barely in the movie to have been said to act so well
ok, so I read the book and saw the movie. Loved each one for different reasons. The book is always better but kudos on the film. All I really want to comment on is how many people brought their young children to the viewing I saw tonight. I really can’t get over how some parents rationalize. What would ever make you think it’s ok to bring a child at an impressionable age to a film about abuse and incest??? Did they think it was a movie about a singing cat? Kinda grossed out and dissapointed. Not only was there an infant there but kids in elementary school laughing every time they heard a cuss word or the mother was abusive to Clarice. It’s a sad world we live in.
Who needs to go to the movies to see 2 big fat water buffalo, watch Animal Planet. People like this need Jenny Craig, this is what causes healthcare to be so expensive.
Jack, you are a complete and utter idiot. Your ignorance would be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic.
Look Look …i seen the movie twice and i still do not get it. It is so over the top that all i could do was laugh at how funny this movie was. i understand the situation the girl went through but come on. its hollywood, its a movie, it was not real! the movie might have been based on a true story but they tried too hard.