Friday, February 04, 2011

Library Video of the Week, February 7, 2011.

Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire, starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz. Directed by Lee Daniels.  2009.  Library Call Number: PN1995.9.C39 P74 2010.
              There are two basic kinds of movies: escapist action or comedy the viewer might or might not take seriously; and difficult movies that may or may not have the ending you’d like to see. Precious is mostly the second type. Emotionally wrenching—and that’s an understatement--the movie follows the life of teenager Clarisse Precious Jones, (played by Sidibe in her first role) as she moves through 1987 Harlem. Barely literate, obese, pregnant and with one Downs child already, living with a mother who’s abusive enough she should be in jail, the young girl’s life is a living hell. And yet, she will not give up. She clings to dreams and hope, enrolls in an alternative school, finds help from a caring teacher and social worker and eventually has a confrontation with her mother that scorches the screen. The down in this movie is so low that not everyone will be able to cope with it, but the uplifting moments correspondingly soar, the performances have been described as “fearless,” and the message, though mostly grim, holds out the hope that keeps people going. Numerous awards including two Oscars and a Golden Globe for this one.

No comments:

Post a Comment