Precious is beyond any movie I have ever seen.  This movie is an experience of a life that is devastatingly tragic yet simultaneously triumphant.  This film is such an emotional experience, you won’t even get a piece of how powerful this film is, even after reading my review.

It is 1987 in the heart of Harlem and the audience meets Claireece Precious Jones (Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe).  Her story includes such horrific experiences that no human being should ever have to endure.  Precious lives a life of emotional abuse, incest, rape, illiteracy, violence, and goes unnoticed daily.  Living with her mother, played by the amazing Mo’Nique, is quite truthfully, a living hell.  After being raped by her father, Precious is kicked out of her school and finds her way into an alternative school.  Her teacher (Paula Patton) takes her under her wings and Precious begins to build her own life, one small step at a time.  The audience walks with Precious through her hardships and cries with her along the way.  This story is about overcoming the impossible and the power to overcome tribulation.

It is difficult to explain the rise and fall of emotion during this film.  There were moments were I was so anxious and nervous for Precious, and I can only imagine this is how some people feel in their actual living environment.  There were moments in this film that were so gut-wrenching and magnificently powerful, that I had no choice but to almost sob.  I know I may sound like I am exaggerating-  but I kid you not!  The audience learns to feel what Precious feels and holds so much hope for her life.  Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz also debut in this film with some great acting (especially by Mariah!)  I will say that Mo’Nique‘s role as Precious’ mother was THE best acting I have ever witnessed and it would not shock me at all if she wins the next Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.  Her character was so damaging to Precious and unbelievably real.

My favorite parts of this film were going into Precious’ fantasy life.  Throughout the movie, and mostly during times of abuse, Precious would imagine herself as a beauty queen with a hot man in a world with no worries.  I enjoyed watching Precious learn to cope with her abuse through these make-believe inventions.  I think her fantasies were the only thing her character could hang on to.  I would also like to comment on the intricate poetry of the film.  The dialect was key and incorporated culture and balladry.  This story is based on the book Push, by Sapphire and I am definitely adding this book to my wish list!  This movie deserves a solid 5 stars.  PLEASE see this film!  I know this is an independent film and may not play at the nearby theater, but I promise you- you will be changed after seeing this film.