An extremely powerful and brutal telling of a 16 year-old African-American who survived a hellish life of illiteracy, obesity and the worst possible physical and sexual abuse. At 3 she was raped by her father. At 12 and 16 became pregnant by him (her first baby had down-syndrome). A monstrous and jealous mother who's even more emotionally and physically abusive. You don't need to be 350 pounds to understand Precious.


With genuine help she is lead in the right direction. The movie doesn't look for pity or sentimentality, but what the power of the human mind can achieve. As we follow Clareese Precious Jones we see how a passionate school teacher and an intense social worker can inspire her to read and write and of self-importance.

The entire cast shines, with new comer Gabourey Sidibe as Precious. But it's Mo'Nique as her mother that steals the film.


Not an easy film to watch. It's shocking and not pretty! But it faithfully depicts how caring interest from others and within yourself can be rewarding.

A


Jack