Writer: Rheus Wai Soh See

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Watch this if you liked: “Dangerous Minds”, “Freedom Writers”, “Menace II Society”

"Precious: Based On The Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" is quite a mouthful for a movie title, so it's a small relief that this decorated Oscar fave does have something substantial to say. However, like the makers conceded and thanked production ally Oprah Winfrey at the 2009 Awards because "you touched it, so everyone saw it", we really have to wonder if this greatly divisive film isn't just another well-marketed product of white guilt.

Yes, the artistic merit of this drama does come into question, as the eponymous main character Claireece Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is an overweight, illiterate, impoverished and abused teenager who just happens to be surrounded by some of the nastiest people and also go through some of the worst experiences one possibly can growing up in black Harlem. It's the kind of character arc that invites empathy at first but then descends into a you've-gotta-be-joking credibility problem. Not that we're contending the nature of a grossly underprivileged life in the late 80s, but there is a difference between telling a story about the black underclass and telling a story about how the black underclass view themselves. This Lee Daniels picture is a clear case of the latter but instead of offering any insight into the psyche of any one person who comes from such a background, it is evident by the final reels that "Precious" is an unreflective sob story that strives for some redeeming value that it cannot attain.

For a movie that has been called "con job of the year" to "demeaning the idea of black American life", emotions run strong, especially since we can't call the director or the team racist because they're black. Perhaps it's an instance of reverse racism that the horrendous story of Precious becomes such a celebrated film that has picked up close to 100 awards across film festivals and such. In any case, there is no denying that Mo'Nique's performance as an criminally-abusive mother is a powerful turn that deserves every award it gets, including the most prized one - Best Supporting Actress at the 82nd Academy Awards. The movie as whole features some compelling acting (Gabriel Sidibe, Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd and even Mariah Carey) that lends urgency and strength to the proceedings whatever you might feel about the story.

As a movie experience, you will have to watch "Precious" - but only if you want to discuss it with your friends, and not because you look forward to enjoying it.

Cinema Online, 27 May 2010