The buzz has been building for weeks now and though it has yet to translate to the awards haul that's been predicted, Precious has certainly gotten critics and audiences excited. And who can blame them? The prospect of a gritty story that's somehow also visually exciting and spotted with stars like a clear winter's night, is one that had my mouth watering long ago.

Based on the novel Push, by Sapphire, (as the US title makes abundantly clear), Precious follows the eponymous heroine through a particularly difficult time in her life. Not that it ever easy. An unwanted and abused child, Precious is someone who has only known struggle: her father raped her, her mother mentally and phsyically abuses her, and she is taunted at school because of her obesity. As if this wasn't bad enough, the film continues hurling every torment imaginable at Precious in a gruelling two-hour muse on inner city life.

It isn't this painful progression that excited audiences, of course, (we're not all masochists, just a select few of us film lovers go that far) it is the underlying message of hope that has so many hooked. The warmer side of humanity is provided by caring, liberal teacher Ms. Rain who takes Precious under her wing, and hard-working social worker Mrs. Weiss (the unrecognisable Mariah Carey which you've no doubt heard much about). On top of the good work done by these shining lights in Precious' life, there is the inner strength exhibited by the girl herself which is a constantly uplifting presence that serves as a lesson to us all.

The realities of Precious's daily life are truly horrific to behold. This is thanks, in part, to the dark and grimy cinematography that envelopes all of those in the nasty part of town where Precious lives. Perhaps the greater part of this horror comes from the fantastic work of the actors. Gabourey Sidibe works wonders in the lead role, capturing the social awkwardness of Precious as aptly as she conveys her constant stoicism in the face of adversity. Both Paula Patton and Mariah Carey are a little less subtle in their portrayals of Ms. Rain and Mrs. Weiss respectively, but both peak at key moments to ramp up the emotional identity of this film which could so easily have descended into hyperbolic social commentary.

Likewise Mo'Nique displays the simmering anger of Precious's mother Mary with great flair, and the explosions of rage that make her such a frightening character are delivered with a frightening level of aggression that encompasses violence as diverse as painful abuse and hurling a massive TV. (If Mo'Nique doesn't get an Oscar, she should consider the Olympic shot putt as a good chance for some silverware).

This visceral emotional realities that are created so well by the cast are at once offset and enhanced by the depiction of the inner world to which Precious escapes. Vivid fantasy sequences punctuate some of the most frightening scenes (from post-aggression depression to full-on rape) to produce an effect that will make you want to laugh and cry at once. These little inner insights somehow push the film beyond the depressing reality of this world, into the hopeful and bright one which Precious fights so hard to inhabit. It's an element of this film that is extremely important and not to be understated.

But Precious is not just a visually stunning film that discusses some serious issues, it is an emotional journey full of imagination, insight and, importantly, hope. An stunning film for those with the stomach for its dark side.

Rating: ****

Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz
Director: Lee Daniels
Run time: 110 mins
Certificate: UK 15 | US R
Release date: 29th January 2010


Review by Michael Edwards

The only film I can think to recommend if you like this is Todd Solodz's Palindromes,  but recent releases that blend the gritty with the innovative are A Prophet and I'm Gonna Explode.