Precious

Follow @empiremagazine

Forum Home

Register for Free!

Log In

Moderator Tickets

FAQ

Users Online

Precious

Logged in as: Guest

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Film Forums] >> Film Reviews >> Precious

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Precious - 4/1/2010 9:26:02 PM

Empire Admin

Posts: 26280
Joined: 29/6/2005

Post your comments on this article

Post #: 1

A precious film. - 4/1/2010 9:26:02 PM

nc_jj

Posts: 662
Joined: 20/2/2008
From: Manchester.

Superb performances, beautiful direction: this is a strong contender for the Oscars. A must-see film!

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 2

Gruelling - 25/1/2010 11:17:54 AM

spyro

Posts: 23
Joined: 7/3/2006

Quality of acting aside ( its very high ), i found this film just keeps layering on the misery and depression, layer upon layer. And just when you think it can't get any more miserable, it does.

It's not a bad film at all just extremely gruelling and i couldn't recommend it and hope never to see it again.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 3

Precious is just the beginning... - 25/1/2010 12:29:58 PM

billkiller

Posts: 57
Joined: 16/6/2006
From: bedford UK

Precious is a film of layers, but each layer has been expertly directed and whereas it has some unexpected casting decisions, I'm speaking of course of Mariah Carey, who I've still not forgiven for Glitter, but she's brilliant. I didn't even realise that it was her until over halfway into the film.
Mo'Nique deserves every award she can catch, her performance brought me to tears in the end and credit to Lee Daniels, who I'm sad to say will be overlooked - If precious has been released a year earlier, he would have been Boyle's biggest competition at last years academy awards.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 4

Meh - 25/1/2010 1:23:04 PM

hughjass

Posts: 159
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Shropshire

Sounds like a really cheery evening's entertainment after working all day. Think I'll pass.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 5

Meh - 25/1/2010 1:23:06 PM

hughjass

Posts: 159
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Shropshire

Sounds like a really cheery evening's entertainment after working all day. Think I'll pass.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 6

RE: Meh - 25/1/2010 5:00:06 PM

spamandham

Posts: 481
Joined: 27/11/2008

Cynical barrel o' laughs oscar fodder, Next!

(in reply to hughjass)

Post #: 7

RE: Meh - 25/1/2010 6:38:13 PM

SpiderBat

Posts: 120
Joined: 2/5/2009

quote:

ORIGINAL: hughjass

Sounds like a really cheery evening's entertainment after working all day. Think I'll pass.

Feel free to pass but don't ever post a review or star rating until you've seen the movie, fuqwad. I don't want to see it either, but I wouldn't give an opinion of it until I've seen it.

(in reply to hughjass)

Post #: 8

WATCH IT NOW - 25/1/2010 8:40:29 PM

Andr913

Posts: 9
Joined: 8/10/2009

Incredible and shocking, with blow-me-away performances by Mo'nique and Gabourey.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 9

Well worth seeing - 26/1/2010 12:00:16 PM

Telperion

Posts: 2
Joined: 18/1/2007

Fantastic performances (including the one by Mariah Carey, as much as I hate to say it). Yes, the subject matter is dark and it can be pretty harrowing at times, but it does end on something of a high, despite Precious' terrible treatment during the bulk of the film. Overall I'd say the various nominations are well-deserved.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 10

Well worth seeing - 26/1/2010 12:01:09 PM

Telperion

Posts: 2
Joined: 18/1/2007

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 11

RE: Precious - 27/1/2010 7:52:46 PM

robwillphill

Posts: 393
Joined: 15/4/2007
From: Maidstone

An emotional ride with harrowing undertones and a dark story with an uplifting mood in the end. Exceptional performances all-around, and that includes Mariah Carey, so you know that this must be good!

10/10

_____________________________

http://youtube.com/audience

Check out my latest films:
- http://youtu.be/Z2zrRi06Rb0
- http://dai.ly/fSojJ3

---------------------------------------------------

Stewie: We're playing house
Lois: But that boy's tied up
Stewie: It's Roman Polanski's house

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 12

Better than expected - 28/1/2010 8:24:17 PM

anjlcc82

Posts: 1
Joined: 28/1/2010

A very well made film. Heart-warming with real sensitivity. Mariah Carey should give up her singing career and do more films like this. I was surprised to see her name in the title credits and was waiting for an awful display - how wrong could I have been. Definetely inspired me to read the book.

For other films like this visit http://882c3vw7o7pv3y6iyhw55bqly3.hop.clickbank.net/

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 13

Precious - 30/1/2010 4:11:45 PM

moviemaniac2

Posts: 525
Joined: 17/9/2006

This is an extremely difficult film to recommend to anyone, despite the obvious power that it has. The cruelty that Precious must bear is frighteningly realistic, with Mo'Nique playing one of the most despicable characters in recent cinematic memory so well. But the continual onslaught of said abuse may prove too much for some viewers. Knowing what you're getting yourself in for when you purchase a ticket for this film is important; this is no easy ride, but is challenging cinema that showcases two truly wonderful performances.

Maybe not the type of film to go and see on a rainy, particularly depressing day; Precious still deserves your viewing. Even if you'll never want to see it again after

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 14

RE: Meh - 31/1/2010 3:49:49 PM

mediarats

Posts: 314
Joined: 28/2/2009
From: some wainscotting

quote:

ORIGINAL: SpiderBat]
Feel free to pass but don't ever post a review or star rating�until you've seen the movie, fuqwad.�I don't want to see it either, but I wouldn't give an opinion of it until I've seen it.

You don't really get how this forum works, do you? Avatar had nearly 10 pages of posts before anyone had seen it.

(in reply to SpiderBat)

Post #: 15

deep film - 31/1/2010 6:51:51 PM

gzus

Posts: 49
Joined: 4/10/2009
From: Middle Earth, Brum

Tense and harrowing Harlem drama about a young girl (Sidibe) with all the worlds ills stacked up against her. It's not for the faint hearted, within the first 10 minutes there's a rape scene, made all the more disturbing being incestual. Mo Nique is frighteningly good as the welfare dependent mother with her bullying and abuse of her dauhter spiralling out of control. Psycologically, it's an outstandingly deep film with a brave climatic showdown featuring Precious, her social worker (Carey) and a remorceful mum. Just in case you're wondering, infact Carey does well. She's authentic with New York accent and all. From beginning to end it's a heart rendering ride because the audience unfamiliar with the book just won't know where this is heading, the main fear being that it's going to end real bad for Precious is always in the back of the mind. All the main characters in this film are female, 'daddy' is given no face just a figure lurking in some dark forboding corner. Even Lenny Kravitz who plays a charismatic nurse feels like he was just thrown in for an upbeat. But that's not taking away from what the film is about, a girl becoming a woman, getting her education and eventually taking care of her children.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 16

RE: Poor! - 31/1/2010 8:17:12 PM

losthighway

Posts: 3165
Joined: 25/1/2006
From: Manchesterford

My friend liked it. I thought it was crap! It's a film which can't decide if it wants to be a serious exploration of physical/sexual child abuse or a lighter-hearted social commentary. It has some fantasy sequences which totally ruin the tone of the film and tbh that is the film's major problem, its just really confused. There are some seriously nasty scenes in it (two main spring to mind which involve a baby), folks were laughing at scenes which were supposed to be poignant but came across as unintentionally funny because of that tone issue. The rape scene between her and her father is totally ruined by one of those fantasy moments and tbh, he is such a distant figure that he could just be any old bloke raping her. The scene doesn't have the gravitas it really should do. The only good thing about the entire piece is Mo'Nique who plays Precious's mother - she is quite literally superb. I really can't express how amazing her performance is! The film has been seriously overhyped, it leaves you thinking it should have been better. I imagine the novel it's based on works far better.

Overall: 2/5

_____________________________

The secret to becoming a star is knowing how to behave like one.

(in reply to gzus)

Post #: 17

I Feel Sad - 1/2/2010 7:53:42 PM

jefmac69

Posts: 16
Joined: 15/9/2007
From: Glasgow, Scotland

Man was this a depressing film. Just what I get for this time letting my missus choose the film, she usually let's me do it.
Still, a good film none the less, just extremely harrowing until the end. Avoid in the cinema, get it on DVD if you really must.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 18

'Why me?" - What a stunning film!!! - 3/2/2010 2:53:41 PM

Funk_Knight

Posts: 113
Joined: 6/3/2006

Yes - it’s a bit of a slow start, and if you think that the fantasy sequences are supposed to be entertaining, you missed the point (it isn't Scrubs!). This is a harrowing story about a girl who has everything against her. What stands out here are the two performances by the ladies - Gabourey Sidibe as Claireece Precious Jones and Mo'Nique as her mother. If you don't have an emotional reaction to them by the end of the movie, then I'd question as to whether you are alive! Regardless of what a previous poster said, this is not trying to be light social commentary, nor the exploration of abuse, it is about being alive. This is a deep 'individual commentary' about dealing with your personal adversity. As the quote at the start of the film says 'Everything in life is a gift'. - MAGNIFICENT DRAMA!!!!

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 19

Thought this was going to be Oscar baiting crap - 4/2/2010 12:24:13 AM

Steve Irwin

Posts: 14
Joined: 6/9/2006
From: Surrey

Boy was I wrong, it's a little uneven and meanders in places and technically speaking we've all seen far better but damn, this film is disturbing and really doesn't pull any punches or sugar coat anything. I was expecting an overblown Oscar baiting TV Movie of the week and instead I got one of the most disturbing films I've ever seen. Fantastic performances too, not just from the two leads (Mo'Nique must get the oscar) but the girls in her class, her teacher and everyone else. Carey ain't too bad either but she's not as important a character (or as good) as the teacher, something a lot of people seem to be forgetting.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 20

Hallmark Bullsh*t - 4/2/2010 3:23:47 PM

vascov

Posts: 6
Joined: 31/7/2007

Next!.......

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 21

RE: Hallmark Bullsh*t - 5/2/2010 7:48:51 PM 1 votes

Sway

Posts: 8869
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Albuquerque

I'm not entirely convinced. I think this film falls foul to too much hype, which is ashame, because it's far from being a bad film, I just don't think it's as fantastic as I'd been persuaded it was. I was fairly bored for the first 30 - 40 minutes of it, and despite Empire's review in particular saying it was very moving, I barely gave it a second thought after the credits rolled. You can usually tell how great a film is when you're left with a strong after taste that you can't shake the rest of the day/night after having seen it. And if it's truly amazing then you'll have those thoughts and feelings swimming around your head for days after. Precious left me indifferent, which is perhaps the worst criticism you could have of a film.

There are certainly plenty of things to write home about - I'm not familiar with Mo'Nique from before this, but she does give a horribly disturbing performance which is possibly the one I'll remember most of all, and the film is quite blunt in it's brutality... there's no saccharine sentimentality to wallow in, it just throws one harsh scenario at you after another for which I think it deserves credit. However, despite Empire's review regarding the film as ultimately uplifting, I'd have to disagree. I can see why the reviewer wrote that, and why others could view the film's ending like that, but generally I just found the whole affair depressing, particularly the end.

I simply wasn't moved enough for this film to really register as anything other than something I went to watch on a Friday afternoon.

On a slightly different note, Paula Patton who plays Ms Rain is simply divine. I couldn't take my eyes off her every second she was on screen. What dreamy eyes she has.

_____________________________

"I am not in danger, Skyler. I AM the danger! A guy opens his door and gets shot and you think that of me? No. I am the one who knocks!"

(in reply to vascov)

Post #: 22

RE: Hallmark Bullsh*t - 8/2/2010 11:26:04 AM

Heidi80

Posts: 97
Joined: 27/3/2006

sigh..have to wait a few more months before I can see this..Stupid Finland...

_____________________________

but why is the rum gone?

(in reply to Sway)

Post #: 23

- 8/2/2010 1:05:42 PM

woozuk79

Posts: 9
Joined: 22/1/2009

I find it hard to believe the person who posted a comment that they weren't at all emotionally affected by this film. I think this is one that's going to haunt me for a few more days to come.

Some of the most disturbing scenes I've seen in a film for a very long time, made more so by the incredible acting by the ladies playing Precious and her mother. It's all about determination and triumph, of a sort, in the face of horrific circumstances. This isn't the sort of film you'll 'enjoy', but you'll feel you've seen something profound and illuminating. And it's certainly not 'cynical Oscar fodder'.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 24

- 8/2/2010 1:05:45 PM

woozuk79

Posts: 9
Joined: 22/1/2009

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 25

RE: - 8/2/2010 6:39:29 PM

hampstead bandit

Posts: 374
Joined: 18/9/2009

just got back from seeing it...

I liked it, and felt quite emotional towards the end!

strangely, my missus (who adores all the weepy / family / television afternoon movies) was unmoved by the film, and got quite bored

Mariah Carey was brilliant, as were the main characters

its a pretty harrowing tale, and all it goes horribly wrong for Precious, but the end was uplifting when set against the brutality that makes up the bulk of the film

one question? were the cats deaf, or drugged? I have never seen cats sit still when people are shouting / swearing / throwing things / fighting?

3/5

(in reply to woozuk79)

Post #: 26

RE: Precious - 8/2/2010 7:38:24 PM

R W

Posts: 268
Joined: 23/6/2006

Director: Lee Daniels
Screenwriter: Geoffrey Fletcher
Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo�Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz

Synopsis
In 1980s Harlem, Precious (Sidibe) an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enrol in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

Review
If there is a lesson we learned from last year�s multi-Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, it is this. Just because it is a story of hope and enlightenment, doesn�t make it �the feel-good film of the decade� as the story starts off with a lot of grimness before we get to feel good. This is the case with Precious, only this one is definitely a rough ride to watch though.

Based of the novel Push by Sapphire, this is the latest of Lee Daniels� back catalogue as a producer in which he developed films like Monster�s Ball (dealing with racism in the Southern United States) and The Woodsman (about a paedophile searching for redemption). What Precious deals with is the poverty of 80s Harlem in which our lead is abused both violently and sexually by her mother (Mo�Nique) and her absent father.

During this hard life in the streets, when things go really unpleasant, Precious enters into moments of escapism where she can be a celebrity signing autographs or a photoshoot model being caressed by a young skinny male model. Though these scenes are suppose to bring a lightness to Precious� life of darkness, the content from start to finish cannot hide the fact that the film has a depressing tone, even when Precious is feeling a sparkle of hope.

Directing his second feature, Lee Daniels succeeds at telling a story through his collaboration with his two cinematographers Andrew Dunn and Darren Lew who both display moments of light and dark in particular scenes like Precious� home life or her time in the alternative school. It is a shame that the Academy has overlooked the film�s stunning cinematography.

As a newcomer playing the title role, Gibourey Sidibe is more than just the tragic figure as when her character goes into flights of fantasy, there is a sense of freedom in which Sidibe performs brilliantly. However, perhaps the strongest performance as well as the most terrifying is Mo�Nique, who though has a comedic background, she is not one to laugh at here.

Though Paula Patton plays the typical teacher who tries to help the lead as well as the other misbehave pupils, there is enough originality for Patton to do a fresh and charismatic performance. The biggest surprise the film provides are the appearances of two celebrities who are unrecognisable, including singer Mariah Carey as the social worker with an attitude and male nurse Lenny Kravitz. Despite these big names, they never become a distraction.

Verdict
Despite the glimmer of light it provides, Slumdog Millionaire it isn�t. However, it is one to beware off in this year�s Academy Awards.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 27

- 9/2/2010 9:50:00 PM

TheGodfather

Posts: 5093
Joined: 21/10/2005
From: Sin City

We follow the underprivlliged, pregnant and obese Precious and her fight for a better life, a good education and especially the fight against her mother.
A film in wich over the course of 105 minutes you get an enormous amount of misery poured out over you. The story isn`t too special and the film basically gets saved by the excellent acting performances from Gabourey Sidibe as Precious and especially by stand-up comedian Mo`Nique as her mother. A brilliant performance but other than that it`s really movie to get happy from.

7,0/10

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 28

- 10/2/2010 9:29:40 AM

duncan1964

Posts: 69
Joined: 12/10/2005

The story of an overweight 16 year old black schoolgirl, raped by her father, abused by her mother and expelled from school has all the makings of a Hollywood weepie, but instead this is an incredibly moving, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting story of hope and survival. Mo'Nique, as Precious's horrendous mother, deserves awards for her brave and terrifying performance

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 29

Pre(ten)cious - 19/2/2010 10:20:40 PM

dylangod

Posts: 5
Joined: 15/8/2009

5 stars?? Are you kidding me? "Be very. very moved"?? How can you be moved when the whole film looks like a VH1 special? The performances are excellent, absolutely, even Mariah Carey's monotonous act is fine, given the character, but come on... It takes a little bit more than a sad story to make a film moving. The violent scenes are shot like a clumsy video spot and all the dramatic moments just fade away. In terms of narrative power and visual impact it's just as shallow as Shadowboxer. Also... Best film nomination?? Honestly, this is ridiculous.

< Message edited by dylangod -- 24/2/2010 5:39:12 PM >

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 30