AFI FEST 2009: PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL "PUSH" BY SAPPHIRE

A gaze of abuse: Gabourey Sidibe stars in Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire.

A bearable darkness of being

By Don Simpson

Set in Harlem, Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire is the heart-wrenching tale of Clareece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), an obese, illiterate, abused and molested 16-year-old African-American girl.

Impregnated for the second time by her father, Precious is expelled from high school; but her principal, who recognizes Precious’ true potential, refers her to an alternative school with an intimate student-to-teacher ratio and teachers and counselors who work well with troubled students.

As things improve at school, matters at home spin out of control. Precious’ welfare queen mother (Mo’Nique) has always treated her as a slave and a human punching bag; but the abuse escalates ten-fold once Precious brings her second baby home from the hospital. Despite her blank expression, Precious is an intelligent and curious young woman with an amazing desire to break out of her predicament.

Still buzzing from scoring the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize for best drama at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and the People's Choice award at Toronto International Film Festival, Precious is being featured as a Gala Screening at AFI Fest 2009.

Should we believe the hype? The brutally honest performances by Sidibe and Mo'Nique (many critics are already predicting that both women will be strong contenders during the awards season) are juxtaposed with hyper-real images dripping with oversaturated yellows, oranges and reds. Precious is an emotional roller coaster and true Hollywood fodder; and with Oprah Winfrey's support, the possibilities are endless. (Highly Recommended)

(Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire is scheduled to screen Nov. 1, 7 p.m., Grauman's Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd. For more information: 866/AFI-FEST; www.afi.com)