Precious (2009)

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

It's got a littl-- actually, a LOT of the kitchen-sink melodrama in its veins; the title character's almost comically put-upon-- obese, poor and relentlessly verbally abused by her mother... and these aren't nearly the biggest handicaps with which she's grappling. But, effectively, it's like a 2-hour blowtorch to your insides.

Mo'Nique's quite good at grounding the monstrous character of Precious' mother, a role that could have easily turned into a Faye-Dunaway-as-Joan-Crawford ham slap in the wrong hands. And Gabby Sidibe, the lead/first-time pro actor, is gut-wrenchingly naturalistic, all the more stunning as she's absolutely nothing like the character (if you catch her on the talk-show circuit, this much is readily apparent).

[metirish]

It sounds like a real debbie downer , no thnaks.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Yeah. I felt like seeing a movie, and had heard good things. Also, the only other choices in the theater were "Planet 51" and "New Moon" (it was fated!).

[A Boy Named Seo]

Me & the chick saw it the other night. Don't think I'll be giving too much away here when I tell you to skip it if you're looking for a pick-me-up feel-good flick. Pretty awesome performances all around, though.

[Guest themetfairy]

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Me & the chick saw it the other night. Don't think I'll be giving too much away here when I tell you to skip it if you're looking for a pick-me-up feel-good flick. Pretty awesome performances all around, though.

Agreed - it was well done and very well acted.

Also, after recently seeing The Blind Side, I appreciate that Precious didn't gloss over the details of the difficulties of the young protagonist's life.

[Vic Sage]

wild horses could not drag me into a theater showing this movie.

[soupcan]

Vic Sage wrote: wild horses could not drag me into a theater showing this movie.

Really? I'm stunned Vic. This movie's got quite a lot of favorable press and reviews. I haven't seen it but you being the critic that you are, it surprises me that you don't care to. How come?

[Frayed Knot]

Vic Sage wrote: wild horses could not drag me into a theater showing this movie.

I'll volunteer to be tied to those horses with you so as to make it even tougher to drag either one of us there.

[Centerfield]

Given a chance, my vote would have been for Less' Nique.

[metirish]

Too much misery , I mean I am rooting for her just to get through a half a day without getting abused by someone....great performances though.