We were bowled over reading the original novel, "Push" by Sapphire, when it was first published. The story of Precious, a sexually abused young woman, from her own father, an individual that must have been a monster to even think of what he was doing to an innocent child, that went on for years, is nothing short of inhuman. That Precious was also the object of physical and verbal abuse from her own mother, was a double whammy. The fact that Precious father had the HIV virus and infected his own daughter is a despicable crime that no human being should ever have to face.
We were impressed the first time we saw the film, when it was released commercially, but did not comment on it. On second viewing, the film is just as powerful as it was then. This account of sexual abuse and cruelty to a young woman, deserves to be seen by a wider audience. There is no doubt in our minds there are plenty of other cases of this nature that do not come to the surface as often as it should. It is, after all, a serious matter that many are not willing to deal with it because of its repulsive nature.
Lee Daniels, the director, working with the Geoffrey Fletcher's adaptation, made a realistic account of this human disgrace that is hard to sit through, at times. Yet, Precious is not a defeated woman. It is to her credit that she gets over and beyond the life she had with her mother, and is a better individual when all is said and done. Nothing seems to get this resolute girl into defeat.
Gaboury Sibide, who plays Precious, is a new face for us. Her take on the character shows an understanding of the girl with hopes and aspirations that are taken away from her since childhood. Yet, Precious is a graceful young woman without the bitterness of her own experience. The revelation of this film was the casting of Mo'Nique, as the cruel Mary, a mother from hell, no child ever deserves. Mo'Nique merited all the awards she got because her appearance in this film was something that seldom is seen in films.
The ensemble cast is good. Mariah Carey, the popular singer, was another asset for the movie. Gone was the glamour and glitter, normally associated with the singing star as she gets into her Mrs. Weiss with relish. Paula Patton, who appeared as Ms. Rain, showed how patience and kindness could work wonders in motivating troubled teens into aspiring to do much better.
We were impressed the first time we saw the film, when it was released commercially, but did not comment on it. On second viewing, the film is just as powerful as it was then. This account of sexual abuse and cruelty to a young woman, deserves to be seen by a wider audience. There is no doubt in our minds there are plenty of other cases of this nature that do not come to the surface as often as it should. It is, after all, a serious matter that many are not willing to deal with it because of its repulsive nature.
Lee Daniels, the director, working with the Geoffrey Fletcher's adaptation, made a realistic account of this human disgrace that is hard to sit through, at times. Yet, Precious is not a defeated woman. It is to her credit that she gets over and beyond the life she had with her mother, and is a better individual when all is said and done. Nothing seems to get this resolute girl into defeat.
Gaboury Sibide, who plays Precious, is a new face for us. Her take on the character shows an understanding of the girl with hopes and aspirations that are taken away from her since childhood. Yet, Precious is a graceful young woman without the bitterness of her own experience. The revelation of this film was the casting of Mo'Nique, as the cruel Mary, a mother from hell, no child ever deserves. Mo'Nique merited all the awards she got because her appearance in this film was something that seldom is seen in films.
The ensemble cast is good. Mariah Carey, the popular singer, was another asset for the movie. Gone was the glamour and glitter, normally associated with the singing star as she gets into her Mrs. Weiss with relish. Paula Patton, who appeared as Ms. Rain, showed how patience and kindness could work wonders in motivating troubled teens into aspiring to do much better.