Cinema finally unearths a precious gem

When the final scene faded to black, and the credits silently rolled, I did not leave my seat or take a breath. Neither did the other moviegoers who chose to see “Precious” that Sunday night.

In an age of linear and mechanical movies, deemed “spectacular” due only to their hypnotizing special effects and loud explosions, “Precious” is unparalleled in its sincerity, social commentary and uninhibited production.

Based on the novel PUSH by Sapphire, this nearly two-hour long movie is the painful, honest and hopeful story of obese and nearly illiterate Claireece “Precious” Jones (newcomer Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe), a 16-year-old African American girl living (if you can call it that) in the ghetto of Harlem in the late 80s.

Precious lives under the physical and emotional abuse of her welfare-fed mother, Mary (Mo’Nique), and is currently pregnant with her second child by her dead-beat and addict father, whom we never see except in shaky flashbacks. When her middle school principal kicks her out, she joins an alternative school where she meets friends and an insightful teacher and mentor, Blu Rain (Paula Patton). With the help of Rain and understanding social worker, Mrs. Weiss (Mariah Carey), Precious learns to deal with the abuse she has suffered and currently is suffering.

Though this may sound like another sob story, director Lee Daniels knows how to cut through the realities of impoverished and unfortunate Harlem just enough to leave the viewer tear-stricken, but not guilty for their presumably more fortunate life. It’s as if he has an instinct to come back to the precious moments in life at just the right time.

Daniels’s style is gritty and honest, using unsteady camera movement and seemingly unrelated edits, i.e. Precious being raped, to chicken frying in disgusting grease (her father treats her like meat. Clever, eh?).

Sidebe handles the challenging role with talent far beyond her acting experience and siphons any empathy from viewers in her unique, courageous, and silently hilarious screen presence – implying wisdom beyond her years, on and off the screen.

Sidebe isn’t the only one who captures the raw reality of the Harlem streets. Mo’Nique, a comedy actress known for her sassy-plus-sized-woman attitude in all of her films, is terrifying and brilliant as Precious’s mother. It’s apparent she prepared and invested much of herself in this film, from the backwards affection she shows to her cat, to the most heart-stopping and vicious parent/child fight scene in cinema.

Patton also delivers a sincere performance as Precious’s teacher, which leaves the viewer unabashedly dependent on her presence and guidance to Precious. Carey is surprisingly believable, free from all her glamour she usually dons, and redeems herself from her performance in what was quite possibly the worst film ever made, “Glitter (2001).” Fans might not even spot her at first, but will soon recognize her salient self-esteem.

“Precious” is elegantly done and consequently, steers clear from the sappy clichés about learning to love oneself despite a mountain of hardships. The film delivers hope and inspiration but doesn’t give in to the temptation many screenwriters fall prey to of allowing the main character to conquer all in two hours. “Precious” remains grounded, causing sorrow, consolation and enjoyment in viewers.

Don’t be surprised if any of the main characters snag an Oscar nomination – the film’s importance and performances will not be over-looked.

“Precious” is beyond worthy of a nine-dollar movie ticket. The insight and powerful credibility will stay with you long after you exit the theater – if you can leave your seat, that is.