Trailers
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Description
In Harlem in 1987, Claireece "Precious" Jones is a 16-year-old African American girl born into a life no one would want. She's pregnant for the second time by her absent father, and at home she must wait hand and foot on her mother, an angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is chaotic and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and a secret – she can't read.
Starring
Awards
Key opinion
Precious is widely regarded as a raw, emotionally taxing, yet powerful social drama that centers on a resilient protagonist navigating extreme abuse and neglect. While some critics question the originality of the "urban misery" genre, the performances of Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique are near-universally recognized as the film's defining and most compelling elements.
| Acting | Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique deliver powerful, emotionally raw performances that anchor the film's difficult subject matter. | |
| Emotion | The film is a harrowing, emotionally intense experience that forces viewers to confront themes of systemic abuse, poverty, and resilience. | |
| Theme | The gritty, realistic tone is effective for some as a somber social critique, while others find the reliance on "ghetto misery" tropes to be derivative or overly cynical. | |
| Ending | The film's pacing and narrative are praised by most for their directness, yet the final scenes are seen by some as an unnecessarily forced, sentimental conclusion. |