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Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

Play trailer Poster for Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire R Released Nov 6, 2009 1h 49m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 239 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 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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Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Blu Rain's Class Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Blu Rain's Class 4:23 Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - You Ain't Gonna See Me No More Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - You Ain't Gonna See Me No More 2:09 Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Mary's Confession Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Mary's Confession 2:35 Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Nothing To Write Today Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Nothing To Write Today 2:15 Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Straight-Up Lesbians Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Straight-Up Lesbians 2:07 Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Baby Abdul Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Baby Abdul 1:49 Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - A Visit From a Social Worker Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - A Visit From a Social Worker 2:54 Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - I'm a Kill You! Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - I'm a Kill You! 1:50 Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Southern Fried Chicken Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Official Clip - Southern Fried Chicken 1:35 View more videos

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Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (2009) View more photos

Movie Info

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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