Film Reviews

Precious

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Paula Patton
• Details: US/110mins (15A)

Unrelenting, disturbing and extremely difficult to watch, Precious has all the makings of a harrowing true story, with a central character triumphing over staggering adversity. But it's not a true story; as the full title indicates, it is in fact based on a novel. Making Ken Loach's bleakest work look like a Home Alone sequel, this is an admirable film that commands respect from anyone with a love of cinema grounded in working class realism. That said, the fact that it isn't a true story can make some of the films more distressing moments seem slightly over the top. Evidently you can make this shit up. Regardless, Lee Daniels does a fine job translating the story to celluloid, whilst the two main performances of Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique are as good as any you will see this year.
Sidibe is the titular character, Precious; an obese sixteen year old with an extremely difficult home life. She already has one down syndrome child, the result of a rape by her father, and has another baby on the way after a different rape - a regular occurrence. Her mother is just as bad; abusing her verbally, sexually and physically. Precious escapes her dingy home in Harlem by imagining what it would be like to have a "light-skinned boyfriend" and live the life of a superstar - or to simply just be loved. Enrolling in a programme that can help her learn to read and write, Precious meets a teacher who genuinely cares. Invigorated by the belief that someone has shown in her, she embraces her independence.
This is an extremely difficult film to recommend to anyone, despite the obvious power that it exudes. The cruelty that Precious must bear is frighteningly realistic, with Mo'Nique playing one of the most despicable characters in recent cinematic memory so well, awards surely beckon. But the continual onslaught of said abuse may prove too much for some viewers. Knowing what you're getting yourself in for when you purchase a ticket for this film is paramount; this is no easy ride, but is challenging cinema that showcases two truly wonderful performances.
Maybe not the type of film to go and see on a rainy, particularly depressing day; Precious still deserves your viewing. Even if you'll never want to see it again after.

Review by Mike Sheridan