Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
Release: February 4
Running time: 110 minutes
Rating: MA (strong themes and coarse language)
There are times when we all think we’ve got a bit too much crap to deal with. But the next time you have a ‘why me’ moment, take a second to consider what life is like for someone like Claireece “Precious” Jones.
Illiterate Precious is 16 years-old and pregnant with her second child. She has also been asked to leave the local high school. What she does not reveal to her principal is that both pregnancies have been a result of rape by her estranged father.
Precious’s mother suffers from a mix of guilt and jealousy and becomes physically abusive towards her daughter. The relationship between mother and daughter becomes increasingly volatile when Precious takes up a place in an alternative school.
Based on the 1996 novel Push by American author Sapphire, Precious explores America’s most socially and economically disadvantaged. Precious’ story helps to demonstrate the difficulties in assisting people living in such isolation. Under the duress of her mother’s violent threats, Precious feels unable to tell her social worker about the incest. She is trapped in the cycle of abuse and secrecy that constricts her ability to reach out for help.
Though interesting and topical, Precious is quite a difficult film to watch. As a reflection of her isolation, Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) does not communicate well with the other characters. Though true to character, Sidibe’s performance is frustrating at times. But an advantage of her timid manner is that she delivers a great performance when she is forced to speak up. Considering Sidibe had no formal acting training prior to her role as Precious, she handles a difficult character quite well.
Television personality Mo'Nique plays Mary, Precious’s unstable mother. Mo’Nique handles her character with gusto, but there are times when she is chasing Precious around the apartment which seems more comical than abusive.
At the alternative school Each One/Teach One, Precious experiences a supportive, trusting environment which offers a healthy contrast to her home life. The classroom scenes also offer much needed relief for Precious and the audience. These moments provide a break from the abuse scenes and the depressing tone of the rest of the film. Precious’s classmates are a stark mix of different ethnicities and personalities, adding a playful element to the story.
Precious herself has a remarkable ability to withstand the regular abuse and destructive elements in her life. Her time at Each One/Teach One gives her the realisation and opportunity that she has can change her life for the betterment of herself and her children. If you are thinking about walking out halfway through, stick with it: Precious’ story on a whole is uplifting and definitely worth the dark and confronting opening.
Bridget Fitzgerald
