Ghetto Reality

Back in 2001, Lee Daniels produced an independent film called Monster. From sheer obscurity to critical raves, the movie spawned much love from indie-netizens and an Academy award for Halle Berry (the weakest in 2000s, in my opinion). Eight years later, Mr. Daniels’ new film, Precious, seems to wind up replicating the destiny of Monster.

Based on the novel, “Push,” by Sapphire, Precious tells the story of a sixteen-year-old Claireece “Precious” Jones trapped in the grittiness of the ghetto world. Precious is fat, sexually abused, unloved by her mother and constantly bullied. Yet, she is a star in her own repressed, Hollywood-colorful world. When pain hits Precious, on her mind, she metamorphosizes into the singing diva, the fierce, blonde supermodel and the award-winning actress – a superstar devoid of anguish and trauma. Life is hard, but Precious is solid and stolid.

Precious’ strength lies on its honest and no-holds-barred depiction of the ghetto world. It could have been an overkill smorgasbord of thorny issues (AIDS, sexual abuse, unemployment, racism, teenage pregnancy) but Mr. Daniels managed to cohesively harmonize all of them into a seamless, gripping and moving experience.

Notwithstanding, the ensemble’s acting gives the film its charisma and unique charm. Gabourney Sidibe, playing Precious, painfully shines in every scene. Hers was such a well-measured portrayal with an emotional weight she delivered with great aplomb. Monique, playing Precious’ mother, gets my vote for Best Supporting Actress of 2009. She is mean, sadistic, conniving yet pitiful at the same time. Her frighteningly convincing performance towards the end of the film is the apex of her depth and gift as an actress. But the utter surprise goes down to Mariah Carey. As the demaglourized, tough-talking social worker, this “pitch perfect” performance of Ms. Carey is enough to obliterate from our collective memory her ghastly acting in 2001’s flop Glitter. Clearly, Mr. Daniels is adept at maximizing the emotional resources of his actors.

Precious is bold, groundbreaking, an eye-opening. It will surely get its much-deserved nod come Oscars. But for the win? Regardless of Oprah’s Midas touch, it is quite a long shot. Up In The Air, The Hurt Locker and Inglorious Basterds seem to be the current favorites. But, surely, I do picture Monique holding that golden statuette because she freaking deserves it!