Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is a 2009 drama film directed by Lee Daniels that thrives on intense narrative realism and mind-blowing performances from its cast. The movie features Gabourey Sidibe as the lead character, Precious, supported powerfully by Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, and Mariah Carey.

Gabourey Sidibe, in an arresting motion picture debut, gives life to Clarice "Precious" Jones, a 16-year-old Afro-American girl living in Harlem, New York, in 1987. Precious is a vivid and painful portrayal of a disadvantaged teenager who has been subjected to unimaginable adversity. Life's deck hasn't just been stacked against her, it's been piled on with a bulldozer.

With a grim narrative enriched with glimpses of hope, Precious lives in a world of egregious domestic and sexual abuse from her mother, Mary, compellingly played by Mo'Nique, and her absent father. Mo'Nique portrays an antagonist that challenges the viewer's sensibilities with her raw and haunting depiction of abuse and neglect. The grim backdrop of the household relentlessly affects Precious' mental health, education, and social life.

Despite facing a severe literacy problem, Precious finds sanctuary in an alternative school. Paula Patton portrays Blu Rain, her teacher. Rain isn't just an educator to Precious, she manifests as a beacon of resilience, hope, and unwavering support, showing the young girl that she has potential and helping her find self-esteem and her voice. Sidibe's and Patton's on-screen chemistry is heartwarming and agonizing, all at once. Patton beautifully portrays the role of the supportive teacher consistently believing in Precious's ability to rise above her extreme circumstances.

Leonard Kravitz, participating in a divergence from his musical career, adopts the role of Nurse John, another supportive and empathetic force within Precious’s environment. Mariah Carey, shedding her glamorous image, convincingly plays the hardcore and tenacious social worker, Ms. Weiss who takes an interest in Precious's case.

The movie's strength lies in illustrating the resilience of its central character, as Precious begins to bloom from amid the cracks in the urban concrete. The film carefully intertwines themes of poverty, abuse, illiteracy, and body image issues illustrating the harsh reality for many people still unaddressed by society.

Directed by Lee Daniels, this isn't a film that shies away from the grit and despair of Precious’s reality. Particularly noteworthy is how Daniels chooses to depict the protagonist’s mental escape mechanisms. He presents Precious' vivid imagination as a coping strategy; we get a peek into her inner world, where she's a star on the red carpet, a successful singer, a loved partner. Reality and fantasy intertwine to protect her psyche from the harsh reality she is trying to escape from, a brilliant and imaginative approach that breaks up the harshness of the otherwise grim narrative.

The screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher, based on the novel Push by Sapphire, brilliantly transcribes the harsh, unsettling realities and bitter prose of the book into a visual narrative that is equally devastating and hopeful. The film doesn't exploit its protagonist’s suffering for dramatic effect but instead focuses on her strength, resilience, and defiance of norms. The delicate handling of serious issues is nothing short of masterful and provides a raw, unfiltered look into Precious’s journey, making for an emotional rollercoaster throughout the film.

The riveting performances by the ensemble cast, most notably Mo'Nique and Sidibe, resonate long after the film has ended. For her performance as Mary, Mo'Nique received critical acclaim, earning several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Sidibe’s performance was lauded as one of the best of the year, earning her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead, in addition to an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

The film's cinematography, editing, and direction work harmoniously to present a bleak yet beautiful canvas of Harlem in the late 80s. The vibrant and raw energy of the environment, traditionally associated with despair, is utilized to craft an evocative portrait of the neighborhood and its inhabitants and help set the pace of the tale.

In conclusion, Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire is a daunting, emotionally charged film grounded in stark realism, challenging our perspectives on society's unseen individuals. It is an unforgettable drama about hope and redemption, pulling no punches in its depiction of harsh realities interwoven with dreams. The hard-hitting narrative intertwined with brilliant performances makes it a truly compelling cinematic experience, albeit a challenging one to watch.