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 151 Ratings

Your Score
0 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 abuse 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)
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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. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Duane Byrge
    80
    As Precious, Sidibe is superb, allowing us to see the inner warmth and beauty of a young woman who, to her world's cruel eyes, might seem monstrous.
  3. 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.
  4. 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: 51 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 57
  3. Negative: 6 out of 57
  1. AntonioB
    10
    This movie was just purely amazing, I didn't expect to be that good because usually movies that hyped up like this one was aren't that good, but movie was just great. I did expect a little more screen time from Mariah Carey's character Ms. Weiss, but her performance was really good and Gabourey Sidebeh was great as Precious and of course Mo'Nique was unbelievable as Mary, I mean to see her go from The Parkers, The Queens of Comedy and small supporting roles in movies to this is just pure talent. She was great in Domino and Shadwboxer, but she had small supporting roles, and in this movie she had a supporting role, but she completely stole the movie and every scene she was in which is why I know she will the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and Gabby will definitely get nominated for Best Actress… Expand
  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. EvinC
    7
    Alright. The film kind of dragged on as i was waiting for something great. The best thing about the film are the actors Mo'Nique and Carey.
  4. zekeb
    3
    Very bogus. Everything bad that could happen happens to this poor blank-faced girl, until a lesbian fairy-godmother saves her, and an all girl crew from Welcome Back Kotter cheers her into a life-affirming semi-happy ending. Phoney, but because it's set in 1980's Harlem, white critics are afraid to knock it. And since its been vetted by Oprah (who did so well with James Frey) its seen as ghetto-authentic. Ugh.… Expand

See all 57 User Reviews

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