Precious

If one had to list the atrocities that have besieged the life of Claireece "Precious" Jones, you might well ask why anyone would even make such a horribly depressing film, let alone watch it. Hope would be my answer.

Somewhere, in the mire that is the obese, loveless 16-year-old’s life, she’s offered a leg up in the form of two women. First is a teacher, played delicately by Paula Patton, and secondly is a social worker, played by a stripped-down and washed-out Mariah Carey. Even writing that I can hear you screaming “cliché”! Agreed, on paper the script sounds dangerously trite and stale. Wonderfully, however, it’s absolutely not.

While the adapted screenplay might flirt with the contrived, the shockingly real performances haul it back from the precipice. Apart from the outstanding Patton and Carey, Gabourey Sidibe, who leads as Precious, will stun you in this break-out debut. But the biggest props must go to comedian Mo’Nique in her role as Precious’ mother that is anything but funny. Her embodiment of all things abominable is quite frightening and enthralling at the same time. This is a movie that will turn you inside out, but one so worth taking the time to endure.

Rating: 5 outta 5.