MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

Precious Rated R

Directed by Lee Daniels.  Starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique

Photo © Lionsgate Films
Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

It’s 1987 in Harlem and 16-year-old Clareece Precious Jones (Sidibe) struggles to get by.  At home she is treated like a servant and ordered around by her abusive mother (Mo’Nique). 

Precious is single, pregnant with her second child (both children are the aftermath of rape) and trying to be there for her baby.  Precious is overweight and very sad, but still able to dream about a better life. 

A teacher and a social worker see the beauty and intelligence hidden under the surface and place Precious is a program to help her overcome her illiteracy and discover her potential. 

What distinguishes Precious from so other films about dysfunctional families and recovery is its ability to celebrate the power of community. 

The healing stories of the gospels remind us that it is often the faith of friends and families (the friends who lowered the sick man through the roof, the centurion who prayed for his daughter, etc.) that stir Jesus to action. 

The cast is uniformly excellent, with fine performances by all.  The film is not sentimental or easy to watch, but its inspirational story is genuine. 

Christians may be disappointed that there is not more mention of religion in this film, but grace is nevertheless is full abundance. 

Precious is a low-budget art house film that will probably have a hard time attracting an audience that wants to escape to worlds of fantasy or comedy this holiday season. But it is a hopeful film that reminds us that most people are what others see in them, and that if we could only look for Christ in all people, the transformation that Precious discovers might become more of an everyday reality.

Pitchfork Rating:
Five halos. (A powerful story about redemption that is not only sympathetic to victims of cruelty but respectful of how others can bring about healing to those who are oppressed.)

Five picthforks. (Child abuse, a scene of rape, pervasive swearing, crude language and violence.)

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