Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd ...( see more  see more... ) , Lenny Kravitz

In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

Flixster Users

82% liked it

111,903 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

195 critics

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Lee Daniels

Release Date: November 6, 2009

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Stats: 5,491 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,491)


  • January 8, 2010
    Review coming soon.
  • January 7, 2010
    i went into this film expecting melodrama, instead i sat through a heartwrenching film based far more in reality than excess. there was only one sappy hollywood effected and contrived scene, and it wasnt enough to spoil an otherwise emotional expirience. mo'nique deserves the h...( read more)ype she is getting for her performance as she ends up as one of the most effective screen villians i have ever seen, brooding indimadation through every scene she was in. the results of depravity are so clearly on display here that the character studies will be referenced for a long time to come. lee daniels actually misstepped a few times in directorial decisions, but overall this film is powerful and deserves notice.
  • January 6, 2010
    "Life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is....Precious."

    In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

    ...( read more)ont size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook">REVIEW
    Harrowing yet ultimately inspiring and uplifting melodrama about an abused, near-illiterate teenage girl (portrayed with amazing skill by novice Sidibe in this jaw-dropping big-screen acting debut) whose incest-plagued homelife nearly poisons her to the point of self-destruction with only her welfare-dependent monstrous mother (incredibly enacted by comedienne Mo'Nique) whose love/hate relationship has taken its toll to the limit. Novice filmmaker Lee Daniels makes an indelible impression with his flair for fantasy and reality that blends and blurs the edges of a young woman who is at the precipice of despair. Oscar nominations should be in order for Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Patton ? as the sympathetic and inspirational teacher-figure and dare I even say, Carey as a de-glammed social worker whose empathy has its limits. Powerfully overwhelming with human emotion. One of the best films of the year.
  • December 30, 2009
    I went into this expecting to be an emotional wreck when it was over, but that never happened. Though it was quite disturbing and very moving.

    I will say that the cast is AMAZING and they all do a phenomenal job.

    Especially the two leads (Sidibe and Mo'Nique) who really ...( read more)loose themsleves in their roles and drag you right into their dark and twisted world. While Paula Patton as Precious's teacher, gives a very powerful performance and offers one of the few rays of hope in Precious's otherwise bleak world.

    And, I never thought I would EVER say (much less write) a kind word about Mariah Carey as I think she is a talentless singer and one of the most annoying personalities on the planet...but (mark this on your calendars) I have to say that her performance was solid and totally believable. Her brief but powerful part is well worth noting.

    My only problem with the film is with the WAY that the story is told, especially the fantasy/escape scenes. While I can see someone feeling like Precious needed some sort of escape/relief (for fear her story might otherwise be far too horrific for some people to take), but to me it really cheapens the feel of the film and trivializes to some extent the overall power of the story.

    Because of this It felt to me (at times) a little too much like a (R rated version ) of a "Lifetime Movie" or an "After School Special". But perhaps that was the intent...to make it accessible to a wider audience?
  • December 27, 2009
    This is a very moving story. Some of the previews and trailers do it no justice though, they make it out to be a fairy tale movie, when there's little fantasy about it. Yes she (precious, the lead) wants to be someone else, but she gradually learns life isn't like that and she's ...( read more)stuck with who she is. For those thinking it's a clever piece of a large coloured girl pretending to be white as some trailers may suggest, that plays VERY little in the movie. The trailers should have focused not on her day dreams, but on the 'days'.

    This is a fantastic story of a girl, doomed from the very beginning, struggling like no other... and takes it, but slowly starts to think for herself and her actions change as she learns. Very clever writing and acting to perceive this, after all, it's slow moving, as is the rate she educates herself... but on this occasion the speed of the storyline is actually totally relevant to the movie. I don't want to spoil the story but trust me, this is a film which centres around a remarkably challenged individual in every facet of life and shows how she copes. The acting is first rate and totally believable for the situation, which I again stress is totally and utterly an up-hill battle.

    To anyone that enjoys proper drama...WATCH THIS MOVIE. Please
  • February 9, 2010
    Seeing A Its A True Story Its A Wower To Think Someone Went Through All That Actually Makes You Realise Your Life Aint Bad After All..
  • February 9, 2010
    Who knew something good would come out of a movie with Lenny Kravitz and Mariah?!

    Now seriously, fantastic storyline. Deep, strong, controversial, yet simple. And for Mariah, the reason I relucted to see this, she was actually pretty good. The finale is so very touching. Great a...( read more)cting job by all of them actually, mainly the lead. Amazing.
  • February 9, 2010
    High expectations, high outcome. The acting is sensational with believable situations, just fantastic and a new appreciation for story telling like this.
  • February 9, 2010
    a exellent performance from babourney sibide, her first role. as a troubled 16 year old, enrolling at a new inner city school for troubled learners, pregnant for 2nd time,and no prospects in lifeand a abusive mother exellently played by mo,nique, nice touches throughout, really g...( read more)etting to the charactor of precious,
  • February 8, 2010
    I cannot give this film justice by describing it. All I have to say is I was amazed, I was moved and I was touched. This is one of those films that change your life.

Critic Reviews


November 21, 2009
Pete Hammond, Back Stage

A vitally honest and emotionally compelling film that hits you in the gut. full review

November 19, 2009
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Despite the film's clear social conscience and sympathy for the community it portrays, Precious never panders for compassion. full review

November 13, 2009
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

What a triumph of a film. full review

November 12, 2009
Claudia Puig, USA Today

It's hard to be unmoved by Precious' determination. Despite its melodramatic moments, remarkable performances drive home the film's inspiring message. full review

November 6, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

A hybrid, a mash-up that might have been ungainly, but that manages to be graceful instead. full review

November 5, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The film is a tribute to Sidibe's ability to engage our empathy. Her work is still another demonstration of the mystery of some actors, who evoke feelings in ways beyond words and techniques. full review

November 4, 2009
Armond White, The New York Press

Winfrey, Perry and Daniels make an unholy triumvirate. They come together at some intersection of race exploitation and opportunism. full review

November 2, 2009
A.O. Scott, At the Movies

While the director, Lee Daniels, does not shy away from the grimmest elements of the story, his eclectic filmmaking style is almost exhilarating, finding room for fantasy, operatic melodrama, and auth... full review

November 2, 2009
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker

What rescues Precious is the performance of Mo'Nique as Mary, the heroine's Medusa-like mother. full review

November 2, 2009
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Daniels does everything to hold the melodrama at bay, but there's only so much he can do. full review

View more Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • rebbecca20
    December 2, 2009
    super awesome movie one of he biggest hit of all time .i have watched it alread you can watch it here http://tiny4.us/kde2ck
  • esti15
    December 2, 2009
    Watch This Movie Online FREE
    http://MoviesWatch.info
  • atumusic
    August 29, 2009
    I can't wait til it comes out. i will definitely be in line opening weekend. Hope it lives up to all the HYPE!

    A

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