Kitty Ebert Reviews the Movie: Precious

I have seen a few movies in the last 6 months but none of them have interested me enough to write a review.  The movie Precious has been out since November, and I finally got the chance to go see it in the energy and space that I needed to see it in.

For those putting off going to see it because they feel like it may be “too depressing”, the movie is no more depressing then a movie such as “The Color Purple”.  Why would one be depressed?!  … especially if you didn’t experience any form of abuse growing up.  At most, you will walk away from the movie saying, “Wow, she had a hard life”… then carry on with your day.

I watched this movie…  and to be honest it hit a little too close to home for me.

At one point in the movie Mary Jones (played by Mo’Nique) said to the social worker, “Precious and my grandson belong to me”.  She said it in a way as if they were her property.

In this same scene, she went on to try and seek sympathy in all her misery.  Out of all of the damage that she caused, she wanted to be seen as a good parent.  At the same time, Mary Jones didn’t want Precious to find happiness…  she wanted Precious to be just as miserable as she was.

Precious (played by Gabourey Sidibe) said something that really spoke through me, “You won’t see me again…. I see you for what you are.”

There were so many key parts that struck a chord… I highly recommend this movie.

I read the book “Push”, in which this movie is based on a few years back.  Whoever wrote the screenplay for this film did an excellent job.

I give this film the grade: A