There have been very few movies in my lifetime that have had evoked an emotional response as powerful as the one felt after viewing Precious. I saw Precious several weeks ago and its lasting memory is nearly impossible to shake. Precious isn’t a movie about sexual abuse, alcoholism, socio-economics, or trapped urbanites struggling for their piece of the pie(although all elements are present). It is a movie basted and boiled in ignorance. Do not expect a climax where all problems are solved and hope glimmers as the credits roll. This story, this movie is painfully intimate.
Clareece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is a character that is rarely seen or heard. She is for all purposes, a survivor. A survivor of her abusive mother, a survivor of her sexually abusive father, and a survivor of her own ignorance. When we first meet her she has yet to realize the weight of her life thus far and why would she realize such a thing when her own mother (Mo’nique) tells her she is of no consequence? At 16 she has lived many lifetimes and endured pain that most directors (Lee Daniels) would not even touch on screen. There are times in life when we hear of places like the places depicted in this movie, but we think they do not exist until we are standing in them. This is one of those cases. Every minute spent with Precious is painful and scary. The thought that cruelty exists on this level is unsettling. The thought that compassion and love doesn’t exist is just disheartening. The thought that ignorance is a prevailing intellectual response in Precious’s world, well that is just the work of the demented and demonic mind of her parental upbringing. Precious does escape into her mind from time to time and imagines herself a model or movie star. Through these scenes we get the message of hope and the realization that the mind goes into deep protective mode when faced with a great amount of trauma. However, as a viewer hope is fleeting from the first 20 minutes of the film, but we are forced to hang on because if Precious can, we can. We know from the opening scenes that we are going to be led somewhere overwrought with sadness and fear. We know that by the end, this is going to hurt like hell.
Ms. Jones (Mo’nique) isn’t the type of villain you are accustomed to seeing. Her entire life is based on her own ignorance. It is ignorance that will be her undoing and ignorance that has diseased her daughter. She isn’t Darth Vader, Freddy Krueger, or Satan. She is worse because her purpose is to inflict as much emotional torment upon Precious as humanly possible. She is so utterly “fucked up”(pardon the language, but there is no other way to convey her character) as a reality based character that it turns my stomach to think about her. She manipulates at every opportunity. She is a dream stealer and hopeless as a human. Can she be saved? No. There is no religion, self-help group or pill that can change ignorance in its purest form. She is the old cliché, “hurt people, hurt people.” It is, in all honesty, the most disturbed I have ever been watching a character on screen. Her performance will never to be forgotten.
In all great movies there is “THE SCENE” that puts the movie over the top. In Precious it involves a social worker played by Mariah Carey, Ms. Jones, and Precious. The now stronger Precious and her mother are to talk about the abuse and for once put all the cards on the table. The tale of the sexual abuse and subsequent stories that ensue are mind-shattering, heartbreaking tales that seem hard to hear, but had to be impossible to survive. Mo’nique’s performance in this one scene solidify her as an actual accomplished actress. She talks of dreams and redemption and for a split second she shows to be human, but her transgressions cannot be forgiven by viewers and will not be forgiven by Precious.
This is not a movie to be watched because you are looking for escapists fantasies. This isn’t a love story or drama with a sweeping soundtrack featuring Taylor Swift love songs. This movie is the boiling down of raw emotions. It’s shaking hands with emotional pain and it is a damn exhausting film. Precious has an imprint on my mind that I’m sure will become fossilized. Watching Precious walk away with her two children at the end was a story in itself. Like Precious Jones, I believe I am ignorant enough to have hope.
5 comments:
The TV falling down the stairwell is a seen I will never forget. Can't believe people exist like that woman. Sad Sad movie.
Firstly, I think this is one of the best reviews you have ever written.
'Precious' is a film that resonates, and I believe (like any good work of art) should be approached with caution. It is a film filled with some true ugliness, despicable acts of ignorance, and absolute sorrow.
However, I didn't have the same response that many did to this film, in that it didn't leave me in a state of despair. When it was over, I had great hope for the human condition. There are acts of great humanity by Precious, her friends, her social worker, and teacher. In the face of absolute ugliness, it is their love for Precious that enabled her to want better for herself.
Also, I didn't have the hatred for her mother shared by many others. Though, she is indeed loathsome I felt some degree pity for her. She is a woman who suffered the brunt of such ugliness and horror, that she is compelled out her own defeated ignorance to employ these tactics on her own flesh and blood. Imagine living in her head? It's gotta be a war zone. Especially during what you refer to as "The Scene" where she half assedly tries for redemption. She is a woman overtaken by the demons of others, and herself and that is a sorrowful tragedy. It makes Precious's choice to break that chain of abuse and ignorance, all the more inspiring and transcendent.
There are also moments, where I laughed out loud. Perhaps because of the intensity of other scenes or the absurdity of the situation. I don't know how much, if any, was intentional, but it defiantly added to the experience.
Lee Daniels is a tremendous director, who doesn't pull any punches. I hope to see more from him.
I agree with most of what you say, but the part about her mother. She let a pedophile touch her daughter in plain sight. Not only did she not run, she didn't lash out, seek help or discuss this matter with a professional. I guess having a child of my own clouds my thinking and I may have had a different reaction years ago, but my compassion and understanding for her character does not exist. Even the most ignorant of people defend their children.
I do however agree with you that it is a film about the human condition and filled with hope.
Perhaps I should have modified it with "contemptuous pity". I pity her, for she has chosen the path of the monster and demon. The woman is a damned character, beyond redemption and completely doomed to an empty existence. Whereas most people would derive joy form their children, she is totally incapable. Whenever anyone chooses to be cutoff from the sunlight of the spirit, I cannot help but have some degree of pity (not compassion), for they will never understand the true depth and weight of what they are missing.
Your instinct to abandon compassion for her is correct, as she is not deserving of any. Also, I think having a child increases your clarity, not clouds your thinking. Which is why you are an incredible father, and one of the best people I know.
You need to be an author on this blog. You are unequivocally a talented writer. I miss you buddy. We need to have movie day once a week this summer.
I love "contemptuous pity." That about sums it up. Again, your well thought out points make me think.
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