PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE Review (2024)

PRECIOUS is the true story of an overweight, pregnant, 16-year-old African-American woman, Claireece “Precious” Jones, who was raped by her father repeatedly from the age of three, and whose mother hates her and abuses her mentally and physically because the mother believes her daughter stole her husband/lover. A very attractive lesbian teacher, Ms. Rain, takes an interest in Precious and helps her survive and move up in the world.

The abuse and rape scenes are truly disturbing as are the discussions about them in PRECIOUS. The message is that education, personified by her lesbian teacher, saves her. The innovative fantasy technique and handheld camerawork sometimes works while at other times diminishes the story. The sound often includes the constant cursing by the neighbors. Most of the scripting is superb, with high drama and jeopardy, but there are some flat, static moments. There is a positive reference to Christianity, but the movie’s thematic elements suggest people are merely animals. Regrettably, most of the foul language is the “f” word. There is a small victory, but the lingering feeling is despair about the horrors of the life Precious experienced.

(B, C, Ho, H, LLL, VVV, SSS, N, AA, DD, MM) Ultimately light moral worldview about an unwed mother keeping her children set in an extremely immoral, dysfunctional, welfare home with a little Christian content and lesbian teacher rescues heroine and faith in humanity rather than God; 10 profanities and 117 obscenities; intense violence includes mother, baby and grandmother fighting, baby dropped on the floor in fight, dishes, tables, bottles and television thrown at woman, woman with baby pushed down the stairs and pushed on street, and pregnant woman severely abused; woman raped by evil father, twice woman bears father’s children, and mother describes the rape of her 3-year-old daughter by father; shots of female cleavage and brief upper male nudity; drinking to get drunk; smoking and drug use suggested; and, deceiving welfare office and stealing files from welfare office.

PRECIOUS is the true story of an overweight, sullen, resentful, pregnant, 16-year-old, African-American woman, Claireece “Precious” Jones, who was raped by her father repeatedly from the age of three, and whose mother hates her and abuses her mentally and physically because the mother believes her daughter stole her husband/lover.

Precious is intelligent enough, however, to realize there is something better in life. When she is expelled from school for being pregnant again at the age of 16, the principal notes she has good grades and so sends her to an alternative school where she is in a class with women who are in a similar situation. A very attractive lesbian teacher, Ms. Rain, takes an interest in her and teaches her how to write down her story every day. Slowly, but surely, Precious realizes the true extent of the abuse her mother inflicted on her. She decides that, when she has her baby, she wants to be a good mother and move up in the world.

PRECIOUS presents the horrors of this girl’s life in such a way that it is hard to watch. Her mother is truly vile. The rape scenes are truly disturbing, as are the discussions about them.

The production quality is very innovative. For instance, Precious imagines herself at several points in the movie (often in the midst of an extremely painful situation such as being pushed to the ground by young thugs) in various fantasy situations, such as modeling in a fashion show, walking on a red carpet, and being courted by her handsome teacher. This cutaway fantasy technique sometimes works well while at other times intrudes on and diminishes the story. Also, much of the camerawork is hand held, which sometimes distances viewers from the story. The music is very well integrated into the movie, but the sound often includes the constant cursing of the neighbors. Most of the scripting is superb, with high drama and jeopardy, but there are some flat, static moments.

There is a positive reference to Christianity as Precious looks longingly into a lively choir practice at a church, where the choir is singing about salvation. Beyond that, the movie suggests that education in the person of the attractive lesbian teacher saves Precious and that people are merely animals prone to animalistic sexual desires. Regrettably, most of the foul language is the “f” word as well as some clear profanities using the name of God: Jesus Christ. So, there is very little real influence of Christianity.

For those expecting a positive story that has Precious overcoming all the negativity in her life, the movie will be slightly disappointing. There is a victory, but the victory does not seem to be as triumphant as it could have been. Leaving the theatre after viewing this movie, one could only feel despair over the horrors of the life Precious experienced.

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE Review (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Duane Harber

Last Updated:

Views: 5701

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Duane Harber

Birthday: 1999-10-17

Address: Apt. 404 9899 Magnolia Roads, Port Royceville, ID 78186

Phone: +186911129794335

Job: Human Hospitality Planner

Hobby: Listening to music, Orienteering, Knapping, Dance, Mountain biking, Fishing, Pottery

Introduction: My name is Duane Harber, I am a modern, clever, handsome, fair, agreeable, inexpensive, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.