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Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire Image
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Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 126 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton
  • Summary: Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones, a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother, a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of “alternative,” but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination. (Lionsgate) … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    A great American film.
  2. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Keith Uhlich
    40
    Given the months-long hype, what's most bewildering about Sundance sensation Precious is its overall shrug-worthiness.
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    30
    In its eagerness to drag us through the lower depths of human experience, Precious leaves no space for the audience to breathe or to draw our own conclusions. For a film about empowerment and self-actualization, it wields an awfully large cudgel.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 51
  3. Negative: 5 out of 51
  1. jace
    10
    Very great film.. inspiring and so natural.. as per the title itself, based on a true story... was able to show that it is and it is not a just a film.. Carey acted well.. Natural and great.. Monique is very good..… Expand
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  2. grandpajoe6191
    8
    The Oscar-winning movie "Precious" is slow paced with a quiet tone of despair. There is really no solution to its pessimistic view throughout the movie, but its Mo'Nique (the Oscar Best Actress Winner) who provides faith and light to the audience throughout the movie.… Expand
    • 3 of 3 users said yes
  3. Erelyes
    3
    I wanted to like it, but the clumsiness of its execution means it fails to move. The movie fails on many fronts: the "dream sequences" just confuse the plot; the characters are explored only superficially; the plot dawdles. Perhaps worst of all, the film relies on a blunt "haul on the heartstrings" approach rather than putting real effort into conveying emotion. It seems like it should be more of a touching story, but instead it is depressing violence, and left me feeling bleak, rather than uplifted.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 51 User Reviews

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