Precious review

 Number 894 on the top 1000 films of all time is Lee Daniels' 2009 drama film 'Precious.'

Claireece 'Precious' Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is an overweight, illiterate, black sixteen-year-old trying to survive in Harlem. Bullied at school and subjected to horrific abuse from her mother Mary Lee, (Mo'nique) her life is a miserable one. Upon falling pregnant again, she starts to attend an 'alternative' school, where she sees a way to escape her old life.

Word of warning, Precious is not a pretty film. It is raw, gritty and unapologetic. It grabs you by the throat and refuses to be shaken free. Showcasing the horrors of an abusive household, it's difficult to not flinch away at times. But none of this violence ever felt gratuitous. Unfortunately, this is the sad reality for many youths across the US and it's a reality that shall not be ignored. 

Also, could you believe this was Gabourey Sidibe's first acting role. The character of Precious was cast an open audition and Sidibe was selected despite having no prior acting experience. Precious is not an easy character to play - she carries the sexual trauma of being molested, raped and impregnated by her father. Not to mention, the terrible abuse she receives from her mother. But Sidibe was great in the role. She provided Precious with a humanity and a vulnerability. But she wasn't pathetic nor a character you pity. 

Upon attending the 'alternative' school and through the close tutelage of teacher Miss Blu Rain, (Paula Patton) Precious starts to learn how to read and write. As her literacy improves, so does her self-confidence. With a lot of troubled kids, all it takes is somebody to believe in them and that somebody can be a brilliant teacher like Miss Blu Rain.

Lee Daniels balanced the humour and heartbreak well. As a means of escapism, Precious imagines herself in a number of fantasy scenarios from singing in a gospel choir to performing on stage as a soul-singer. But the funniest had to be when she imagines her and her mother in an old black-and-white Italian film. Watch the scene at 3.30. These little fantasies, other than providing some much needed relief, also balanced the dark with some light. They were also a little sad - Precious was imagining a life, that to her, would always seem out of reach.

Mo'nique won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as the villainous Mary Lee and I can understand why. It was an absolutely brutal role and she did it well. Jealous that her boyfriend took more interest in his daughter than her, she takes out her frustrations on Precious. As Precious is financially dependent on her, she can't up-and-leave, as is the case for many abusive relationships. But 

Lastly, a quick shoutout to Mariah Carey who played Precious' social worker, Miss Weiss. All made-down, she was utterly unrecognisable. A last-minute substitute for Helen Mirren, she did the role justice.

This was a really good film. It will make you laugh and it will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. It might just be too brutal for a rewatch.