We Can’t Wait To See “Precious”
Posted by: Jessica Wakeman
Filed in:
entertainment, video
1:10PM, Monday October 26th 2009
On paper, the new movie “Precious” doesn’t sound like much fun: It’s the story of a 350-pound, illiterate black teenager impregnated for the second time by her dad and physically and verbally abused by her mom. It’s enough to send a girl galloping into the next showing of lighter fare like “Couples Retreat”! But the film industry buzz for “Precious”—from the illustrious Cannes Film Festival to this week’s cover of The New York Times Magazine—says the film is not to be missed. There’s even buzz about an Oscar for Mo’Nique, who stars as Precious’ monstrous mother, as well as accolades for the rest of the cast, including Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Gabby Sidibe, and Lenny Kravitz.
When director/producer Lee Daniels (“Monster’s Ball,” “The Woodsman”) spoke with the Times magazine this weekend, he revealed his many insecurities about the movie. “To be honest, I was embarrassed to show this movie at Cannes,” he said. “I didn’t want to exploit black people.” One of his biggest concerns was the so-called statement he could be making about black women through the portrayal of Precious’ horrific mother. The black community has already complained, he continued, explaining, “They see the film as negative to black women. Black women are the pillar of the family. Black men have left, and how dare I stab at the one thing that’s helped.” But Daniels and Mo’Nique both strongly felt that telling Precious’ story (based on the novel Push, by Sapphire) was more important than being PC.
I, for one, am very interested to see a mainstream film about the types of people Hollywood largely ignores: poor, black, obese, uneducated, and sexually abused. And, of course, Mariah Carey without makeup. [New York Times Magazine]
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bethlynn00
wrote on October 26 2009 @ 12:28 pm: [report]
I am looking forward to the movie. The book Push was amazing and tackled real issues, including HIV, although I’m not sure if that is in the movie or not, I hope so cause it’s an important part of the book. I am glad it has been getting the accolades that is has been, hopefully it will be a big success. I don’t think this movie will shine a negative light or exploit black women. I think these issues span across race and hit a number of issues, like you said, that are not simply limited to black women, but many people will be able to relate to the issues within the film.
blackrose1o1
wrote on October 26 2009 @ 01:02 pm: [report]
Wow, that trailer alone nearly made me cry, I am so seeing it!!!
Ginger
wrote on October 26 2009 @ 10:55 pm: [report]
The trailer didn’t finish loading and my initial reaction was to grab my computer in panic.
While I wait for it to finish I’ll say that this movie looks epic. For all the reasons that you said, Jessica, and because it looks like a well made film.
I want this to come out. And for it to correspond with a time when I can go to the movies.
canadiancutie
wrote on October 26 2009 @ 11:08 pm: [report]
Wow… black women is a category?? Not sure how I feel about that. Is “blondes”?
b_brilliance
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:04 am: [report]
the book was awesome. it had been a while since i actually picked up a book that made me feel so much emotion it made me cry; it was really heartbreaking, especially since i’ve known people that have had similar things happen to them. i can’t wait to see this movie.
TOO_DOPE
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 03:55 pm: [report]
Wow. Powerful story. Moving trailer. I want to watch the film at the cinema but I feel I’d freak people out by how hard I’d cry!
canadiancutie
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 09:28 am: [report]
I really don’t see anything groundbreaking about this movie. This is the same story they’ve been telling for years, in movies like The Color Purple and Monster’s Ball - the story of the poor, unattractive, victimized black woman; or conversely, the black woman as The Aggressor. A story like Michelle Obama’s (an attractive black woman who prioritizes health and physical fitness, and rises from obscurity through hard work and perseverence to become a very successful, independent woman) has never been told and likely would never be seen in the media were it not for the reality TV that is her husband’s presidency. Nothing new here. Not rushing out to see it.
equnsuocha
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 09:44 am: [report]
@canadiancutie Wow?! Cold much?
canadiancutie
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 12:32 pm: [report]
equnsuocha, the point I was trying to make obviously went a little bit over your head, which, come to think of it, is unsurprising. As a black woman who is neither obese, a drug addict, nor a hip-hop loving aggressor, I would like to know when MY story, and the stories of the women in MY family will be told. But seeing as how we’re talking about entertainment for the masses here (i.e. American white people), I’m guessing never.
stiffinp
wrote on October 30 2009 @ 04:28 pm: [report]
Have patience cutie. Look not to Hollywood, but rather an indie flic.
canadiancutie
wrote on October 30 2009 @ 07:15 pm: [report]
stinninp, you make a good point. Some of us just get tired of being a case study sometimes. Well, time to go watch “Latino in America!”
stiffinp
wrote on November 1 2009 @ 04:33 pm: [report]
No 1: You spelled me wrong, but I forgive u.
No 2: Should I make it to the year 2050, I will be in the minority, and thus eligible to be in a case study.
canadiancutie
wrote on November 2 2009 @ 07:56 am: [report]
stiffinp, I think you should read this: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/08/20/the_myth_of_the_white_minority/
Now, having said that, assuming there were no Hispanic whites, it still holds true that only in a racist society that views minorities as “other” could you even CALL the still-largest group in the country, at 47 percent of the population, with the SECOND-largest group coming in only at 33 percent, a “minority.” That comes from a fundamentally racist attitude of “keep the other out/keep their numbers small.”
stiffinp
wrote on November 3 2009 @ 06:49 am: [report]
Interesting. Actually there are so many categories here, it would be ridicules to list them all on a census. Especially if Tiger Woods insists he be referred to as a “Cablinasian”.
I think I would still call the 47% a majority, although it might be better termed as a plurality (the biggest percent, but not 50%).