Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (R, 2009)

common sense media says

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


parents & educators say
  • 81% say language is an issue
  • 76% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

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.

Positive 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.
Positive 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.

More on Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE, follows Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) -- a pregnant, 16-year-old, overweight teen in 1987 Harlem who's longing for a way out of her gritty, anguished life. Though she loves math, she can barely read or write. And when she’s not in school, she’s busy catering to the needs of her violent mother, Mary (Mo’Nique), whose rage is fueled largely by what she perceives as her husband’s rejection of her when he rapes and impregnates Precious. A transfer to an alternative school with an empathetic new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), may be the catalyst that Precious needs.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

With its spectacularly brutal storyline, Precious is deeply compelling and disturbing at the same time. Director Lee Daniels goes for grit every chance he gets, with many sequences drained of color and light -- except for Precious' own flights of fancy, which provide much-needed escape from her own reality. The abuse -- verbal, physical, and sexual -- plays out in relentless assaults, allowing the audience to feel just a fraction of what it’s like to be Precious. It all makes for a powerful film, but sometimes it’s hard to stomach.

So thank heavens for Sidibe, who, in her first feature-film outing, doesn’t so much dazzle as persuade. She becomes Precious. Same for comedienne Mo’Nique, who surprises here with her monstrous depiction of Precious’ mother that manages -- a little, anyway -- to be tragic, too. And points to both Mariah Carey for her nuanced performance as a social worker and to Patton for providing uplift without treacle. Toward the end, the film feels a little message-y and hurried, but that’s forgivable. Precious is riveting.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Lionsgate
Director: Lee Daniels
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mariah Carey, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton
Genre: Drama
Run time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release: November 6, 2009
DVD release: March 9, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language
Watch our review

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

16
Based on 21 parent & educator reviews:
  • 81% say language is an issue
  • 76% say sexual content is an issue
  • 57% say violence is an issue
  • 57% say there are positive messages
  • 48% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

xxhollisterluvxx
teen, 15 years old
 
Mature audiences only
Really mature movie. Strong language and violence are things to look out for. The movie was a little much for me.I'm 13. There's. A scene that shows her father molesting her. Only should be viewed by mature audiences.

psalministry1
parent of 11 and 16 year old
 
Older kids should see with parents, in case of questions.
The movie depicts what happens in hundreds of homes today. Some may be able to identify with stereotypes and just raw dealings with abuse and trauma to the human spirit. I love it for bringing these points out, but would use caution when allowing sheltered teens see this movie.

chrisduarte
parent of 9 , 13 , 14 , 16 , and 19 year old
 
A Decade Running, Too Relevant A Novel
Penicillin to the disease known as social apathy, or "It hasn't happened to me . . ., yet.," in America. In your face "real." No egg-walking aroung day to day real world issues for too many Americans, legal, illegal, or ignored.

Synchronicity
teen, 18 years old
 
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.

teenagerreviewer
teen, 17 years old
 
um..*e on grownups! whats ur problem????? :)
Love it. My favorite movie when i was 12. im 13 now. (im not 16, i didn't mean to click that) guess what? adults don't think kids can handle and understand things that they can. i understood everything, wasn't highly disturbed, or shocked at anything. it was a story 8/10 12 year olds would understand, love, and appreciate. Grownups need to chill, because they don't know what goes through kids minds, kids do. So adults, you shuld read these reviews yourselves, because a 12 year old isn't a baby who knows nothing. i thought it was great, NOT VERY SEXUAL, and beautiful. Gaborey deserved that oscar :)

SilverSnake
teen, 15 years old
 
Real good, but extremely sad
I'm actually watching it right now, my mom and aunt are too, so I got 'adult supervision' its real good but real depression. I mean how nasty her gross daddy did something bad to her and gave her children! Her mom makes me real mad too. They talk about condums once, the parents and people 'roiund her are abusive, but she's in a class and the teachers are nice to her, it has good messages dispite it all. I'd say 15 and up, but I'm 14 and sinse I'm watching it, I'll just say 14 and up.

david.wallace
parent of 10 and 10 year old
 
Not a Happy Movie-Tread Slowly.
Precious is an obese, impoverished, illiterate, teenager pregnant for the second time with one of her father's babies. Her mother is extremely abusive, unsupportive, and unstable. So why do I think some 14 year olds can watch it? Because it offers a window into the poorest part of society. People who don't only lack money but also knowledge, nutrition, and support. There are a few good roll models- Precious' classmates, teacher (one of the first supporters in Precious' life), and the social worker (who appears to care about Precious situation). The movie does not have a happy ending. Each kid is different. For some this movie will be inspirational, for some it will be depressing- use your judgement after watching the trailer.

br350
adult
 
Inappropriate for most age groups
This movie is entirely inappropriate for any child under 17. Why any parent would let a child under that age watch this movie is beyond me. It has extremely complex adult/family/sexual issues that even I, as a 42 year old adult, have a hard time wrapping my mind around. Any parent who lets their child (under 17) see this movie needs to do a MAJOR self check about their own intentions.

Speedy1108
teen, 15 years old
 
It's heartbreaking, but they get through and it has a kind of happy ending!

Reba9497
teen, 14 years old
 
Must watch!
I saw this movie (Im 13, I was 12 at the time) and I think it's a great movie. It has very raw scenes of abuse, but I think it shouldn't be 17+. It really depends on the how mature u are, but it does teach a great life lesson.

super52
teen, 14 years old
 
kooool
really good movie <33333 loveddddd ittttttt i cried for her dreams <3 she's awesome

big C4
kid, 11 years old
 
Dramatic too sexual and grown and f and some mistakes

HizBabyGurl4ever
teen, 17 years old
 
Perfect for kids in High school!
I loved it.. very touching and sad and very sad to watch... i cried :(

 
MATURE ADULTS ONLY
Although this movie has the theme of overcoming difficult situations, this movie is extremely graphic with very offensive language. I think the "R" rating for this movie is "iffy". This movie contains some EXTREMELY disturbing messages, scenes, and images.

missbuenrostro
teen, 16 years old
 
i cried

SLUMDOG
teen, 14 years old
 
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

masonlackey
teen, 14 years old
 
sad powerful message
this movie sends a very powerful message VERY SAD.

Mizterbadboy
teen, 18 years old
 
Slow and dumb movie
Painfullly ..... boring . this movie is just boring .

 
15 and up
i really loved this movie but it had very bad sexual assult and child abuse and horrid out of crontrol language!!!!

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
 
Powerful drama, NO CHILDREN AT ALL
Lee Daniel's creative and brilliant creation that is "Precious" is a masterwork of influential acting and talented script-writing. Mo'Nique, saying some of the most foul language imaginable truly deserved every accolade she got in her truly frightning role as Mary Jones, and Sidibe's debut performance will be a true high point in her career. It took alot for me to get through this film, but only true good cinema can impact you like that. "Precious" deserved its Best Picture/Best Drama nomination.

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