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

What a mouthful the title is. Why did they had to name it so? Just stick with Precious. Well I get that they want to associate it with the novel it was based on. Fine, but just add it as a poster tagline. Because frankly the novel is not that popular and thus is not a selling point. Can you imagine The Lord of the Rings movies went by The Lord of the Rings based on the novel blah blah blah... At least everyone knew The Lord of the Rings.

Anyhow, I wasn't really too interested in watching the movie. I think its because the trailers and marketing kinda seem to play on its a sad sob story plot. Remember that scene in the trailer where Precious teacher was telling her that her baby loves her, and that she loves her. Well yeah...that's the kind of sob fest that turn me off. But it was available for rent the other day, so I saw it anyway.

Precious is a the story of an overweight, illiterate and pregnant teenager living in Harlem in the late 80's who's been physically, emotionally and sexually abused by the people who should have cared and loved her. One day she starts going to an alternative school and begins to think more about her choices and her future.

And well yes, it is that type of sad drama, but not soo bad as how the trailer seems to play it. I think that it could have very well been one of those sappy "inspiring" dramas on Hallmark channel about someone who rise from unimaginable hardships to have a successful life but two things helped it from being so. One was the ending. Although it wasn't an unhappy ending, it wasn't a complete happy one...which is realistic. Second was the performances. And I'm not referring to Gabourey Sidibe performance. She did get a lot of publicity for her role because she was playing the main character and because she's not the kind of actress we usually see...so that made her interesting. But I'd say she was just competent in her performance, it wasn't outstanding for me.

So the performances that got my attention was by Mo'Nique and Mariah Carey. I finally get all the praise Mo'Nique has been receiving. She was scary and just soo despicable. And that scene near the end with her was just soo raw and effective. She was really living the character. Mariah Carey too. Who knew unglamorized Mariah Carey could act? There this hint of exhaustion and exasperation at the inability to truly help, in her persona that seemed true for a welfare officer who's probably seen similar cases time and again. I mean she as Mrs. Weiss seemed more like a real person the real Mariah Carey.

Overall, its an ok movie for me. I don't think I could ever watch it again though. Its not a movie that one can find anything new about the second time around.