Film Review : Precious

Another of those movies that are released around this time of the year that you just know is intended as Oscar bait. It's already been recognised gaining some acting honours at the Golden Globes (although you'd be excused for thinking that Mariah Carey had somewhat misinterpreted what was intended by a golden globes presentation!) and may well get more come Oscar time.

Notwithstanding that, this is a powerful story depicting the life of Precious who has been brought up in an abusive relationship and who is pregnant by her mother's partner for the second time at the age of 16. Given the opportunity to enrol in a school designed to teach similarly underprivileged kids to read and write and, in doing so, to help to develop the other social skills that they are lacking in, Precious learns to find herself and to begin to understand what is important for her future.

Debutant Gaboury Sidibe gives a powerful performance in the title role, seething with resentment about the life she is forced to lead but equally unable to break the ties from her mother. Played by Mo'Nique, the mother is a manipulative and selfish woman but who is equally trapped by the cards dealt her by life. However, it is hard to feel any sympathy for this woman and a number of scenes (some of which brought an audible gasp from many of the audience) lead you to despise the woman. I hope for Mo'Nique's sake, that's a sign of good acting!!

Paula Patton plays teacher Ms Rain and portrays someone with a commitment to helping her pupils although it's not made clear until later on what perhaps motivates her. However, she is in her own way as much of an outsider as the children under her care. She is also the only conventionally attractive women on display, and her glamour and the glimpses of her own lifestyle make a considerable contrast to the other lives depicted on screen.

Precious' first baby was born with Downes Syndrome and is used by her mother as a means of claiming further benefits although that is far as her interest in her grandchild extends. The second baby is born with the full compliment of health and Precious is determined that she will be a worthy mother.

This is a film that also manages more than creditable performances from singers Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz as an extremely dowdy social worker and male nurse respectively. Carey, in particular, is surprisingly effective as the social worker who manages to build a relationship with Precious and ultimately to a showdown with her mother.

The other classmates are a cosmopolitan group and it is a joy to watch their initial suspicions and fears subside as they bond over time.

Although their are many bleak scenes in this film, the ending is uplifting without being too saccharin. All in all, this is an excellent and thought provoking film that lingers in the memory long after you've left the cinema.