Film Review: Precious

An flinchingly raw film, Precious just might be brilliant.

> Precious
Director: Lee Daniels
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz, Stephanie Andujar, Chyna Layne
Rating: (R16)

Reviewed by Mark Orton

By now the buzz surrounding this film has filtered through to here, but those seeking escapist entertainment beware; Precious is raw, uncompromising and damn depressing - but just a little brilliant.

Grossly overweight and pregnant with a second child (to her father), 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones lives a life that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.

Illiterate and lacking any form of self-respect, Precious cowers in total submission to her mother, played with extreme nastiness by the excellent Mo'Nique.

Given an opportunity (if you can call it that) to attend a special education needs school, Precious is savvy enough to realise an out when she sees one.

But, even with extra attention and affection from her teacher, her darkness is only lifted by some wonderfully colourful, but all-too-fleeting cabaret-infused daydreams.

Yes, any film that manages to pass Mariah Carey off as a dowdy welfare worker is bleak.

Precious will camp in your cerebral cortex for a long time after the final frame.

It also marks the emergence of a fantastic directorial talent in Lee Daniels.

It's hard to imagine Sapphire's novel Push (on which the film is based) packing as much punch as Daniels delivers, with help from the mesmerising Sidibe.

Daniels' use of uncomfortable close-ups and pacing really chills the spine.

Best thing: Gabourey Sidibe. A film novice only discovered six weeks before filming, Sidibe's screen presence is massive - in every sense of the word.

Worst thing: Everything about Claireece's life, some people sure don't get lucky when the deck of life is dealt out.

See it with: Your last piece of fried chicken, if Precious isn't enough of a wakeup call, then Lenny Kravitz's sermonising about organics should do the trick.