Precious

Plot: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, an illiterate pregnant teen enrolls in an alternative school in hopes of escaping her abusive home life.

Starring: Oscar Winner Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepard, Lenny Kravitz, & introducing Gabourey Sidibe as Precious.

Review: Oscar winning, haunting portrayal of one young girl's struggle to break free of her abusive mother and her own illiteracy in order to provide a better life for her children. Sounds like a lifetime made for TV movie. This movie is the real deal. It's hard hitting, hard to watch, realistic to the point of possible auto-biographical status, and very well-made. This movie is an independent film, but I was impressed with how upscale the technical aspects were. Most indie films succeed in bringing in great acting and dialogue, which this movie certainly delivered. However, where most indie films fall flat is the directing (IE. camera work). This film delivered both(Mo'Nique was fantastic. Even Mariah Carey proved herself). It was full of fantasy sequences, interesting loopy camera work, even talking photographs. The camera served as another character, expressing exactly how Precious felt. That is an amazing feat. This was an amazing movie.

Awards:

2010	Won	Oscar	Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Mo'Nique
			Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Geoffrey Fletcher

2010

Nominated

GLAAD Media Award

Outstanding Film - Wide Release

2010	Won	Image Award	Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Gabourey Sidibe
			Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television) Lee Daniels
			Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
			Outstanding Motion Picture
			Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Mo'Nique
			Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television) Geoffrey Fletcher

2010	Won	Independent Spirit Award	Best Director Lee Daniels
			Best Feature Lee Daniels Sarah Siegel-Magness Gary Magness
			Best Female Lead Gabourey Sidibe
			Best First Screenplay Geoffrey Fletcher
			Best Supporting Female Mo'Nique

Palm Springs International Film Festival
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2010	Won	Breakthrough Performance Award	Mariah Carey

Sundance Film Festival
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2009	Won	Audience Award	Dramatic Lee Daniels
		Grand Jury Prize	Dramatic Lee Daniels
		Special Jury Prize	Dramatic Mo'Nique For acting.

Rating: Acting-A

Writing-B

Directing-A

Music-A

Cinematography-A

Editing-B

Costumes-A

Art Direction-A

Hair-A

Makeup-A

Visual Effects-A

***1/2 Stars