— by ALEXA MILAN —
“Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” is already racking up awards and it isn’t even Oscar season yet.
Earlier this year, the indie drama won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, and last month, it took home the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
With that kind of acclaim — and the support of executive producers Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey — “Precious” will likely continue to resonate with critics and audiences throughout the fall.
The film tells the story of Clareece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe), an overweight and illiterate 16-year-old from Harlem who is pregnant with her second child. Raised by physically and emotionally abusive parents, Precious has grown up feeling worthless and unwanted. But when some positive role models enter her life, she might finally have hope for a brighter future.
Based on this trailer, “Precious” should be a heavy-hitting yet hopeful film that’s unapologetic about its gritty subject matter. Sidibe, Mo’Nique and Mariah Carey all have received raves for their performances. This is definitely one of the films I’m most looking forward to seeing this fall. Expect it to be this year’s little-indie-that-could (like “Juno” and “Slumdog Millionaire” before it) come Oscar time.
“Precious” will open in limited release Nov. 6, likely expanding to more screens throughout the fall.
Follow Alexa Milan on Twitter at http://twitter.com/alexamilan.
For the record, I find the image both cool and disturbing. The oddest part is the hand in the lower middle section of her body.
Now I can’t stop looking at that hand.