Review of Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (2009) by Gillian D — 12 Jun 2011

I wanted to see what this was about, and now I kinda wish I hadn't. This was horrifying. If I went through all the hardships and all the abuse this poor child went through in this story I'd honestly want to stop living. Precious really was precious, that was maybe the only inspiring thing in this raw movie, that she kept going. Let me say that again: RAW, to the bone, to the point of tears and of sickness sometimes. Let me stress it: quite a sucker punch. Would not watch again, but I doubt I will ever forget such evocative imagery either. Yet, I dont think it was overdone, this is (most probably) how life looks like at the bottom of the pit.

The acting is formidable. Mo'nique has always seemed rather obnoxious to me as a comedian, but this horribly disturbing role of hers as Precious's mother was electrifying. The father was an animal who deserved the worst, but you dont really get to see so much of him although you KNOW what he's caused. Now, the mother's monstrosity left me speechless and just sad at the thought that a mother can be capable of what that woman did to her daughter. An actor who so fearlessly and effectively takes on a role like this really deserves the recognition.