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Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

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Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

R

Released Nov 6, 2009

1h 49m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

239 Reviews

77%

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100,000+ Ratings

Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother (Mo'Nique). Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination.

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Critics Consensus

Precious is a grim yet ultimately triumphant film about abuse and inner-city life, largely bolstered by exceptional performances from its cast.

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Jenna Marotta

IndieWire

When discussing comedians who became dramatic actors, Oscar winners Robin Williams and Jamie Foxx come to mind, as do Jim Carrey and Steve Carell. But none had a more extreme transformation than Mo'Nique for Precious.

Mar 31, 2020

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

This is either a good film with quite a few flaws, or a flawed film which is also quite good, but that's all right. None of us is perfect, after all.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Ed Koch

The Atlantic

The performances of Sidibe and Mo'Nique are extraordinary and spellbinding.

Jan 17, 2018

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The most amazing part of Precious is that, despite the unbelievable and unrecoverable despair shown onscreen, the film still manages to convey a sense of hope.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 30, 2023

Full Review

Michael Cuby

them.

Despite its dark subject matter, the film was elevated by knockout performances from a then-unknown Gabourey Sidibe and powerhouse Mo’nique...

Oct 31, 2022

Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

An unflinching film that musters striking inner-city iconography for communion and baptism, carries welcome respites of light humor and includes two divergently emotional performances from Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 3, 2022

Full Review

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Regan W

I expected to absolutely love this movie, and I almost always agree with the critics’ reviews, but this isn’t a 97% movie, it’s a 77% like the audience reviews say. It’s the classic problem of telling instead of showing. The acting is amazing, but as a person who has been an eyewitness and a counselor’s ear to life’s horrors, this film does not adequately present the cruelty and audacity of child abuse. When Mo’Nique gives her speech near the end of the film, that was the closest it got to a real glimpse into what horrific childhood abuse can be. Without any visual history of the past abuse, Precious shows us a resigned and wrecked teenager, but not how she got there.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

Full Review

Chris T

Absolute knife to the heart 🔪 ❤️ While it isn't perfect, with documentary style camera work and an uneven soundtrack, it's easily one of the best films I've ever seen set in 1980s NYC. The screenplay and acting are 11/10 unbelievably, unequivocally fantastic. Unless you are totally checked out, jaded beyond belief, or have some kind of empathy disability, you will be utterly destroyed by this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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john w

Although very difficult to watch at times , the performances and message is more than worth it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

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Fer S

Good movie, but not great. I was expecting something darker, I felt it was kind of light.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/17/24

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alan g

Hard hitting and grim. Uncomfortable to watch at times but ultimately redeeming.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/18/24

Full Review

Christin H

Very heartbreaking but hopeful at the same time. Knowing that thing like these happen in reality and not just on the screen shatters my heart. This was beautifully made and it's a recommended watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/27/24

Full Review

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Lee Daniels

Director

Gabourey Sidibe

Claireece "Precious" Jones

Mo'Nique

Mary

Paula Patton

Ms. Rain

Lenny Kravitz

Nurse John

Mariah Carey

Ms. Weiss

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Synopsis

Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother (Mo'Nique). Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination.

Director: Lee Daniels
Producer: Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness, Gary Magness
Screenwriter: Geoffrey Fletcher
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Smokewood Entertainment Group
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Child Abuse|Sexual Assault)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 6, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 9, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $47.5M
Runtime: 1h 49m

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