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Try pitching this to a major studio: A morbidly obese, illiterate, 16-year-old endures a life of misery, ridiculed at school and abused at home by her mother (Mo’Nique). Oh yeah, she’s also pregnant for the second time … by her father.
The girl in question is Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), the title character of "Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire," the galvanizing new drama from West Philly native Lee Daniels. After acquiring the rights to the source material, he sought independent financing, well-aware of the improbability of getting so harrowing a project green-lit in Hollywood. "Precious" has since become the most buzzed-about movie of the year, earning a slew of major film festival prizes and gaining the media support of executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.
The hype surrounding the ultimately optimistic film is a bit of a detriment, sending expectations into the stratosphere. Does it deliver the sweeping emotional tidal wave it promises? Not exactly. But there are so many things to admire about this unique portrait of personal triumph I’m willing to ignore its inability to jerk my tears.
Working from an impressive debut script by Geoffrey Fletcher, Daniels achieves a grand directorial feat, endowing "Precious" with a wonderfully imaginative and distinct visual texture while adroitly juggling its clashing themes of hope and despair, and drawing an array of raw, poignant performances from his atypical cast. Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and Sherri Shepherd vanish into their de-glammed supporting roles.
Newcomer Sidibe brings great instincts to the role of a lifetime and exhibits the most fascinating physical manifestations of inner turmoil since Heath Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain." Comedienne Mo’Nique is astounding in what is the most powerful performance I’ve seen this year.
"Precious" introduces us to a protagonist unlike any we’ve seen before and, in doing so, defines yet liberates a very specific type of person. We will never again look at someone like Precious without thinking of this movie and, because of it, nor will we be quick to pass judgment. Daniels lifts the veil on a world of hurt, the impact of which is universal and unforgettable.
Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
R
Four reels out of four
In theaters now
Star Trek
Available Tuesday
You don’t need to be a Trekkie to fall for director and TV vet J.J. Abrams’ exhilarating reboot of Gene Roddenberry’s classic "Star Trek" franchise.
Like "The West Wing" meets "Starship Troopers," this origin story of the famous Enterprise crew is as witty and clever as it is breathlessly action-packed. Good turns all around from a cast of fresh faces, but Zachary Quinto steals the show as a young Spock.
