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Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Powerful, painful account of Harlem teen’s hard-luck life.

Themes in this movie include:   emotional abuse, family relationships, growing up, physical abuse

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 17–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Despite its many painful, cruel scenes and characters, the ultimate takeaway from this powerful drama is that no matter how persistently someone attempts to break you down, you are special.
 

What to watch out for

  • Role models :

    A mixture of gruesome and awesome. Precious’ parents are vicious and uncaring (both are abusive, and her mother also handles a baby a little roughly, insults a special needs child, and calls her teen names), yet she finds a way to rise above it. Her teacher provides much-needed mentoring, and her new classmates offer friendship. Some cruelty among teens.
  • Violence:

    Overwhelmingly cruel at times, with a father molesting his daughter and a mother shown beating the same child -- including throwing objects (a television, for instance) at her and kicking her. One fight in particular is shockingly graphic. A man is shown unbuckling his belt and forcing himself sexually on a child.
  • Sex:

    Except for some dream sequences in which teens flirt with each other, all depictions of sex are either overtly or more subtly associated with violence (including assault). A woman is seen under the covers moaning, presumably pleasuring herself.
  • Language:

    Very raw, with frequent uses of "f--k," as well as "s--t," "bitch," "goddamn," "ass," "hell," and "oh my God."
  • Consumerism:

    Some mentions of products in the context of dream sequences.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some references to drug abuse, though nothing is shown.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Parents need to know that this powerful indie drama based on the novel Push by Sapphire is a harsh, raw depiction of a Harlem teen’s brutal life that may be too intense for many viewers, even older teens. The main character is abused in every way imaginable (emotionally, physically, sexually) by those who ought to have her best interests at heart (including her parents) -- and yet she persists, rising above her circumstances. The language is coarse throughout the movie, there are many scenes of household violence (slapping, kicking, pushing, etc.), and sexual abuse abounds (a man is shown unbuckling his belt before he rapes his daughter). Still, it’s ultimately a compelling, thought-provoking film that will stick with those mature enough to handle it.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the movie's themes. What do you think the filmmakers hope viewers take away from watching? Does a good movie have to be easy and/or fun to watch? What do we learn from going outside our comfort zone?
  • Is Precious' seeming indifference to how she’s treated and how she copes upsetting or understandable? Or even admirable?
  •  What fuels Precious' desire to be a better mother and to have a better life?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    very depressing beatiful movie is very very violent

    the film can't be missed with powerful peformences of everyone including maraih carrey and monique the film includes crule insults sexual assalts and physical assault including a gut wrenching rape scene. people need to embraasse lee daniels poetic gut wrenching incredible moving motion picture going up adam 500 days of summer and the hurt locker as some of the best indie films of the year

  2. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Its abusive content not apropriate for children younger than 17

  3. I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Perfect for mature teens 15+ but NOT for the average immature teenager.

    Parents need to know that this powerful indie drama based on the novel Push by Sapphire is a harsh, raw depiction of a Harlem teen’s brutal life that may be too intense for many viewers, even older teens. The main character is abused in every way imaginable (emotionally, physically, sexually) by those who ought to have her best interests at heart (including her parents) -- and yet she persists, rising above her circumstances. The language is coarse throughout the movie, there are many scenes of household violence (slapping, kicking, pushing, etc.), and sexual abuse abounds (a man is shown unbuckling his belt before he rapes his daughter). Still, it’s ultimately a compelling, thought-provoking film that will stick with those mature enough to handle it.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Hey..

    Best Black Movie It's shows feeling and emotion...

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    We are all precious...and this movie proves it

    I saw this film at a film festival with my parents, and was immensely moved by Clareece "Precious" Jones' story. In this film, she (played by the excellent Gabourey Sidibe) has a life absolutely nobody would want. She is pregnant with her second child after her father raped her, she's continually abused by her chain-smoking mother, and she's in eighth grade at the age of 16. But she loves math and can barely read or write, so her principal recommends she go to an alternative learning center...and this changes Precious' life forever. This is a poignant and hopeful drama with several very funny moments, especially in the classroom Precious is in, as well as the dream sequences woven throughout. All of the acting is terrific, especially Mo'Nique as Precious' mom, as well as Precious herself (Gabourey Sidibe) and Mariah Carey as the social worker. Despite the R rating and heavy content, I think everyone 13 or over should see this film. There's a lot of language (around 150 uses of "f**k" and its derivatives, as well as milder words). Precious' father rapes her in a scene that's repeated 3 times in the film; this is a very disturbing scene. However, no nudity is shown. Also, Precious briefly breastfeeds her baby in one scene. There are also many disturbing scenes of physical abuse, but one in particular stands out (like CSM said) that I don't want to describe. Precious' mom smokes cigarettes throughout the movie. But through all the bad content and despair, we see an underlying message of hope. And that's exactly what the world needs. Precious is one of those films that you should definitely see if you're mature enough to handle it. I think 13 is a good age for this film, but that's just me. See it and you will learn that everyone - and I mean everyone - has potential.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    14+

    It has a good message and is okay for 14+ or those mature enough to handle it.

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