Precious Based On The Novel By Sapphire
Introduction
Precious Based on the novel by Sapphire is a 2009 American drama film directed by Lee Daniels. The film is based on the novel Push by Sapphire. The film is set in Harlem in 1987 and tells the story of Claireece Precious Jones, a sixteen-year-old African American girl born into poverty and abuse. The film stars Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, and Mariah Carey.
The Plot
The film follows Precious as she struggles to overcome the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse inflicted on her by her mother, Mary. Precious is also pregnant with her second child, a result of the ongoing sexual abuse by her father. Precious is kicked out of school due to her pregnancy and is sent to an alternative school where she meets her teacher, Ms. Rain.
Ms. Rain helps Precious to learn to read and write and encourages her to believe in herself. Precious also meets other girls at the school who have faced similar struggles, including abuse, poverty, and discrimination. Precious begins to develop a bond with her classmates and starts to see a future for herself beyond the abuse and poverty that have defined her life so far.
The Cast
The film stars Gabourey Sidibe as Precious Jones, Mo'Nique as Mary, Precious's abusive mother, and Paula Patton as Ms. Rain, Precious's teacher. Mariah Carey also appears in the film as a social worker.
The Reception
The film received critical acclaim and was praised for its honest portrayal of the struggles faced by African American women living in poverty. The performances of the cast were also highly praised, with Mo'Nique winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Mary.
The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $63 million worldwide on a budget of $10 million.
The Controversies
Despite its critical and commercial success, the film also faced controversies. Some critics argued that the film perpetuated negative stereotypes of African American women and that it exploited the suffering of its characters for the sake of entertainment.
Others defended the film, arguing that it was an important and necessary exploration of the issues faced by African American women living in poverty and that it offered a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
The Legacy
Precious Based on the novel by Sapphire remains a powerful and thought-provoking film. It has sparked important conversations about race, gender, and poverty in America and has helped to raise awareness of the challenges faced by African American women living in poverty.
The film has also inspired many people to take action to support and empower marginalized communities, including the establishment of the Precious Dreams Foundation, which provides resources and support to children living in homeless shelters and foster care.
Conclusion
Precious Based on the novel by Sapphire is a powerful and moving film that explores the challenges faced by African American women living in poverty. It offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity and has inspired many people to take action to support and empower marginalized communities. Despite its controversies, the film remains an important and necessary exploration of the issues that continue to shape our society today.