Review: Precious: Based on the Novel \"Push\" by Sapphire (2009)

[Tim Skirvin]

  It's hard to convince yourself to go to movies that you know are
going to be depressing.  It's just too easy to convince yourself that this
is going to be a *traumatic* experience, rather than just a sad one; and
even when it's possible that there's art in that trauma, and that the scars
of previous movies were worth it, well, it's still not easy to convince
yourself that it's worth the trouble.  That's what kept me out of _Precious_
during its main theatrical run; but somehow, I overcame my worry and made
it for the second, pre-Oscars run.

  And guess what?  It was depressing!  But it wasn't quite as
depressing as I was expecting, and for that I am grateful.

  _Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire_ (too long a title
if ever I heard one, but I suppose it's not the film-maker's fault) is the
story of an penniless, uneducated, obese, and most importantly
habitually-abused African-American teenager living in New York City in the
1980s.  Precious (her chosen name) is pregnant with her second child (both
fathered by her father), living with her abusive mother, and failing out of
high school.  Her life is, as we are shown consistently and convincingly,
hell.  And it would all seem a bit over-the-top-depressing if it wasn't
clearly based on a true story.

  Of course, this is just where the movie starts; her life just gets
worse from there.  There were several moments during the film where the
entire audience (rightfully) gasped in horror; and things are just worse in
contemplation.  Her nicely realized fantasy life just adds a counterpoint
that accentuates the negative.  And even as her story arc completes and the
absolute worst is left behind, her situation is still horrible.

  So how did I manage to come out of the movie without a need to
cheer myself up through violent video games or a good flamewar?  Well, it
turns out that, at its heart, the movie is also the story of The System
Working, at least a little bit.  And while it may not have been uplifting as
a whole, it was still satisfying to see Alternative Education programs
serving those most in need, and social workers doing their jobs even after
years of manipulation.

  Basically, after a movie of seeing things go wrong, the ending
showed a ray of light pointed off to the side.  And that helped.

  But having gotten past that potential pit of depression, was the
movie any good?  Well, yes.  The movie was well-crafted and, most clearly,
well-acted.  The girl that played Precious did a spectacular job; Mariah
Carey did a better job than I ever expected her to; even Lenny Kravitz held
up his role.  Of course Mo'Nique, playing the despicable mother, was a
standout.  The film portrayed its time period and location tastefully and
clearly.  

  I still don't want to see the movie again.  But it was worth seeing
it the once, and if it really is nominated for some Oscars, it'll probably
deserve it more than half of its competition.

  ***

                           - Tim Skirvin (tskirvin at killfile.org)
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