Precious
Director: Lee Daniels
Cast: Gabourey "Gabbie" Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz
Synopsis: Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want.
She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically.
School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write.
Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One.
Precious doesn’t know the meaning of “alternative,” but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for.
In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.
Critics: “The film is never shy of pressing the viewer's buttons, but it's put across with heartfelt power.” - The Guardian
“ Second-time director Lee Daniels creates a must-see portrait of life’s underprivileged which is utterly compelling.” - Screen International
“A vitally honest and emotionally compelling film that hits you in the gut.” - Back Stage
Award/Nominations: Precious picked up the Audience Award, Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival back at the beginning of the year.
It has gone on to be nominated of Best Picture at the 2009 Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association. It also has been awarded seven Satellite Award nominations, including Best Picture, five Critics Choice Awards and five Independent Spirit Awards.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Golden Globes