Precious - Part 2

Lawyer's full review of Precious is here.

Had I seen Precious in the theater, I might have felt too uncomfortable by the tough subject matter while surrounded by others. At home, you can absorb the brutal reality and feel free to let the occasional tear or sniffle loose. With relatively low expectations, I was surprised how well-crafted the film was and how good the acting was from top to bottom. Similar to A Serious Man, the central character in the film has one bad thing happen after another, and even writes "Why Me?" on her note pad toward the end. But where A Serious Man hits the head like a ton of bricks, Precious hits the heart and the character Precious most definitely knows what sodomy is . . .

Director Lee Daniels use of the fantasy sequences is a bit overdone, but appropriately jarring. His shots alternate between brilliant and routine, with the former barely outnumbering the latter. He shoots too many close-ups of his actors, definitely more focused on their performances than the way the frame looks. He's seems more of an actor's director than a director's director, which suits this material just fine (but not necessarily me). Daniels's use of lighting (as a sign of escape or education) is more impressive as is his ability to get compelling performances from no less than Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, a non-actor (Gabourey Sidibe), and a BET talk show comedienne (Oscar winner Mo'Nique). Watching Sidibe talk (as Daniels says in the DVD special feautures, "like a white girl") about the film out of character shows what a remarkable performance she gives. Daniels's use of music is soulful and upbeat.The number of complaints about the depressing nature of the film is surprising given it's relatively positive ending. Precious finds hope through literacy. Welfare is rightfully depicted as a destructive influence on autonomy, family, and self-esteem. The film's lack of a strong male character is distracting (Kravitz's Nurse John seems like a forced afterthought), but not really offensive since that is probably the reality of many lower income American teenagers. Touching, honest, and real, the film delivers as an important depiction of American inner-city poverty. And if a film can change the way you treat people, all the more power and respect. B+