Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Name: Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
Genre: Drama
Released: November 6, 2009
Rating: 78
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 316 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 316 Ratings

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Precious

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Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: November 6, 2009 | R

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 aSet 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)
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Director: Lee Daniels

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Empire Angie Errigo

While it may not be perfect on a technical level, dramatically it’s a blow-your-socks-off triumph. Be moved. Very, very moved. Read full review

100

Amy Biancolli

A movie about an obese Harlem teenager who's raped by her father and abused by her mother. It's depressing, devastating, harrowing and repulsive. But there are lyric flights of hope interspersed among that raw naturalism, and that's what makes this movie amazing. Read full review

100

Owen Gleiberman

It's a potent and moving experience, because by the end you feel you've witnessed nothing less than the birth of a soul. Read full review

Peter Rainer

It melodramatizes everything and yet its overall effect is something more than melodrama. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

The film's real strength is its cast, from an Oscar-bound Mo'Nique to a notably deglammed Mariah Carey. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

This bruising, harrowing movie would be impossible to sit through without at least a hint of light at the end of its astonishingly dark tunnel. Read full review

Anthony Lane

What we have here is a fouled-up fairy tale of oppression and empowerment, and it’s hard not to be ensnared by its mixture of rank maleficence and easy reverie. The gap between being genuinely stirred and having your arm twisted, however, is narrower than we care to admit. Read full review

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User Reviews

BobG

Dec 12, 2009

From the depths to the heights of human experience, this film rides an emotional roller coaster through the life of Precious and thoses around her. Superbly acted and cast, it is a tale worthy of deep contemplation of the realities of american life and the legacy of our past.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

marnee96

Nov 13, 2011

Impressively acted(especially Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique), realistically directed and well scripted. Precious is a very inspirational Oscar contender. 4/4 stars.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jace

Sep 27, 2010

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..

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

BeckyW

Nov 28, 2009

Mo'nique was absolutely amazing!! All the actors were very good, but Mo'nique stood out. As a high school level school psychologist, I can tell you that there is more than one Precious every year at my school. This movie broke my heart, not for this Precious who made it OK, but Mo'nique was absolutely amazing!! All the actors were very good, but Mo'nique stood out. As a high school level school psychologist, I can tell you that there is more than one Precious every year at my school. This movie broke my heart, not for this Precious who made it OK, but for every Precious I have known who didn't.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

geewah

Feb 4, 2021

A depressing, powerful and moving movie, that is told with as much grace and heart as could be possible.
It's no date movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seanismyname

Nov 26, 2009

Excellent movie. The actors were ALL convincing and unaffected. The story managed to engage the viewer's sympathy without being sentimental, without pulling punches. It's refreshing to know that good films are still being made.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JohnH

Nov 29, 2009

Precious is a ham-fisted, self-indulgent soap opera that attempts to manipulate its audience with wannabee nitty-grittiness. The miserable result, however, is nothing more or less than the Jerry Springer Cosmos brought to the big screen - complete with television sets hurled at three day Precious is a ham-fisted, self-indulgent soap opera that attempts to manipulate its audience with wannabee nitty-grittiness. The miserable result, however, is nothing more or less than the Jerry Springer Cosmos brought to the big screen - complete with television sets hurled at three day old babies cradled in their just-fell-down-a-flight-of-stairs sister /mother… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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50	#50 Best Movie of 2009
59	#59 Most Discussed Movie of 2009
30	#30 Most Shared Movie of 2009