Film Precious Based On The Novel Push
The film Precious based on the novel Push by Sapphire depicts the life of an overweight and illiterate African-American teenager named Precious Jones. The movie is a powerful portrayal of the challenges that young people face, particularly those who come from impoverished backgrounds. Set in Harlem, New York in the late 1980s, the film focuses on the struggles of Precious as she tries to overcome the many obstacles in her life.
The Plot
The story of Precious is a heart wrenching one. The movie opens with Precious, played by Gabourey Sidibe, being sexually abused by her father. She is only 16 years old and already pregnant with her second child. Her mother, played by Mo'Nique, is not supportive and instead verbally and physically abuses her.
Precious is expelled from school due to her pregnancy and is sent to an alternative school where she meets a teacher, Ms. Rain, played by Paula Patton, who helps her learn to read and write. Precious slowly begins to gain confidence and self-worth as she discovers her own talents and abilities. She also meets a nurse named John McFadden, played by Lenny Kravitz, who is kind and supportive.
As the story progresses, Precious faces many more challenges including the death of her second child, the discovery that she has HIV, and the realization that her father has died from AIDS. However, she never gives up and continues to work hard to overcome the obstacles in her life.
The Cast
The cast of Precious is exceptional. Gabourey Sidibe gives an outstanding performance as Precious. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film. Mo'Nique, who plays Precious' mother, won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a woman who is filled with anger and resentment towards her daughter.
Other notable performances in the movie include Paula Patton as Ms. Rain, Lenny Kravitz as John McFadden, and Mariah Carey as a social worker who helps Precious.
The Themes
Precious deals with a number of important themes including poverty, abuse, illiteracy, and HIV/AIDS. The movie highlights the challenges that young people face when they come from difficult backgrounds. It also shows the power of education and how it can help people overcome their circumstances.
The film also touches on issues of self-worth and self-esteem. Precious is a character who has been told her entire life that she is worthless, but through the help of others, she is able to discover her own value and worth.
The Awards
Precious was a critical and commercial success. The movie was nominated for six Academy Awards and won two, including Best Supporting Actress for Mo'Nique and Best Adapted Screenplay for Geoffrey Fletcher. The film also won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
The Conclusion
Precious is a powerful and emotional movie that tells the story of a young woman who overcomes incredible odds to succeed. The film is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of education to transform lives. The performances in the movie are exceptional and the themes are important and relevant. If you haven't seen Precious yet, it is definitely worth a watch.