MOVIE RECOMMENDATION: "Precious"

I first heard about this movie one evening as the telly played “Entertainment Tonight” in the background. The presenter was describing this as the first real contender for the Oscars next year, so I turned around to watch the trailer.

HUGE MISTAKE. I don’t think I have the stamina to watch this guaranteed tear-jerker!!

From ‘The Movie Insider’:

With sheer audacity and utter authenticity, director Lee Daniels tackles "Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire" and creates an unforgettable film that sets a new standard for cinema of its kind.

Precious Jones (Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe) is a high-school girl with nothing working in her favor. She is pregnant with her father's child - for the second time. She can't read or write, and her schoolmates tease her for being fat. Her home life is a horror, ruled by a mother (Mo'Nique) who keeps her imprisoned both emotionally and physically. Precious's instincts tell her one thing: if she's ever going to break from the chains of ignorance, she will have to dig deeply into her own resources.

Don't be misled - "Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire" is not a film wallowing in the stillness of depression; instead, it vibrates with the kind of energy derived only from anger and hope. The entire cast are amazing; they carry out a firestorm of raw emotion. Daniels has drawn from them inimitable performances that will rivet you to your seat and leave you too shocked to breathe.

If you passed Precious on the street, you probably wouldn't notice her. But when her story is revealed, as Daniels does in this courageous film, you are left with an indelible image of a young woman who - with creativity, humor, and ferocity - finds the strength to turn her life around.

So what, this is another tear jerker movie.

What gives?

Well, for starters, is a collaboration between Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. Oprah has money and can throw away 15 million and wouldn’t miss it, but Tyler Perry validated this movie – his movies always has a moral in the storyline.

Then there are the actors: Mariah Carey is getting RAVE reviews for her unglamorous role as a civil servant in the Welfare Office. Comedienne Mo’Nique seems to have put aside her notorious ego and tackled this head on. Lennie Kravitz plays a starring role also in this movie.

Already winning awards – the 2009 Sundance Film Festival Award – this is sure to be the talked about movie of the year!

Watch the trailer to see what I am talking about BUT BE WARNED: ya’ gonna need the Kleenex just to watch the trailer alone!!