PRECIOUS 3.5***
The catch-line for this movie is :” Life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is....Precious”. In a nutshell this catch-line just about sums up this compelling movie and a review could start and end with it. However, that would be too easy and some elaboration, some frosting on the cake will make it sweeter and more interesting.

The story: Clareece "Precious" Jones (Gabby Sidibe) is a rather obese 16-year-old illiterate black girl who lives in Harlem with her welfare-dependent, abusive mother (Mo'Nique). She has a Downs Syndrome daughter and is pregnant with another child, both from being raped by her mother's boyfriend, who is also her father. Her mother repeatedly tells her how stupid and worthless she is while kids taunt her for her obesity. She has become hardened and heartless. But Precious is blessed with an indomitable spirit that refuses to accept the negatives that bombard her. She is sent to an alternative school staffed by a caring teacher and with classmates who, although anything but perfect, possess enough compassion to become supportive friends. How she progresses with school and life and faces other adversities is the rest of the story.

This is one of those rare films that is so well written and directed and so well cast and acted, that you find yourself compelled to see and feel what Precious sees and feels, to walk in her shoes, to experience her pain, her despair, her hopes and her dreams. It will rock you to your bones, bruise your heart and open your eyes and mind ….it’ s an emotional ride and, despite the very dark tone, an uplifting experience. The movie also effectively conveys a Harlem existence that is profane, hard-edged and brutal, but with rays of humanity and compassion that leave room for hope.

Newcomer, Gabourey Sidibe, as Precious, delivers an earth-shattering performance as the sixteen year-old obese girl who suffers from having a mother so abusive, she makes Ike Turner seem like Mr. Brady of "The Brady Bunch". Mo'Nique is flawless the dominant, insufferable mother who makes it her duty to harm, torture and abuse Precious. Mariah Carey also turns in a surprisingly honest and passive performance as Ms Weiss, the understanding Welfare officer who works with Precious.

BRAVO for a truly fine film !!!!

NOTE: The movie has a “R” rating because of the heavy profanity which, for the story, is not inappropriate but still may be offensive to some.

Clark