Saw Precious over the weekend and loved it. In films with a black cast it's damned if you do and damned if you don't. I'm just glad I was able to see on screen another dimension of the black experience. Armond White is going to be...well...Armond White. A dude with a purpose to rail his own people with a pen that's stuck way up his ass.

He doesn't speak for me and neither does Tyler Perry or Oprah Winfrey. I speak for myself as a black person. Abuse happens....and people will always cry "exploitation" when their own pockets aren't being lined....

whatevs.

My husband and I work in the alternative medicine field (he is a hypnotherapist) and 95% of our clients happen to be white. That having been said, I can honestly say that 85% of the women who come in suffer from issues having to do with incestuous rape. "Precious" is most definitely not a black exploitative movie! I read the book by Sapphire, "Push," and came away with a heart-breaking understanding of how life can be in our society -- I did not view it as a black problem at all. What we need to ask is what would possess a person to commit crimes against children? This horror is so prevalent in our country it is sickening. Yet, we sit back and allow our little girls to be hyper-sexualized through the media, clothing manufacturers and the like. The movie "Precious" will be understood and appreciated by intelligent, open-minded socially progressive people -- not those who wish to continue to bury their heads in the sand.

If the movie accurately portrays the book, why get upset? It seems to me that the people who are criticizing the movie are the same ones complaining that Bill Cosby supposedly aired black society's dirty laundry.

Saw Precious yesterday at Union Square in Manhattan.

I plan on doing a review later today, but let me flush out some of my thoughts here.

Like you I wanted to support the film, but didn't want to leave the theater emotionally spent from witnessing the ongoing emotional, physical, and sexual abuse that Precious endured. I think Daniels did a good job of keeping the film's heavy subject matter balanced with light humor, unfortunately for me, it came at the costly expense in impact. The sexual abuse was masked effectively, however, without the graphic nature of the incidents, I find that the audience missed identifying with just how miserable Precious' life was.

I saw the movie in a mixed crowd. I was bothered by some of the audience laughter at times. It was clear that some audience members were so amused by some scenes that they totally missed the relevance. When Precious steals a bucket of chicken, the humor of the scene doesn't allow the audience to really comprehend that the child eating for two and starving because her parent was not being a parent. When the students in the class were learning their ABCs at age 16, the humor took away from the dire circumstance that is teenage illiteracy. When Precious is forced by her mother to eat the plate of pigs feet because there was no collar greens, many people missed this force feeding scene as another extension of abuse by a mother who couldn't handle a daughter who was more physically fit than her.

Watching the movie in mixed company was eye opening. While I was not personally turned off by the appearance of Precious, it was clear that many audience members were. Daniels stayed very true to the book (which I liked) and the cast members were fantastic in their roles.

If you didn't read the book you will be more than pleased with the film.

However, for those who read the book and really got into the mind of this young girl and her circumstances (reading the book in illiterate broken English affords you access into the character that you just can't get from the movie), then you may find this cinematic attempt a bit underwhelming - lacking specifically the graphic nature that truly makes the story so heartbreaking and compelling.

All that said, I'm glad the movie did so well opening weekend.

Haven't seen the movie yet. At first I was debating on whether or not I wanted to see it because it seemed so depressing. But I believe art reflects reality and even though this movie may be disturbing, situations with abuse, weight, skin color, and poverty are very real and happen whether we want to accept it or not. I will go and see this movie just to support the effort by african-americans tackling a story that crosses racial lines.

I also find it disturbing how so many people, especially black people, are criticizing the appearance of the lead actress Gabby aka Precious. I've seen her doing interviews and she seems to be a very intelligent young lady. She apparently is a great actress b/c you can see a complete difference in her real personality and the character she portrays. And she is very beautiful. Just because she isn't Beyonce or Halle Berry's clone in her looks does not make her less a person and I wish people would stop judging her b/c of her weight and, the obvious, her skin complexion.

I still don't know if I'm going to see the movie, but I just bought the book and plan on reading it. I think I might wait to see it when it comes out on DVD.

Haven't seen the movie and am on the fence about going. I read the book and was very ... emotionally raw, for some time. Not sure I can actually watch the movie. Regarding the commentary - I think their is both silliness and validity in all. No, this is not the everyday life experience of the average Black family, but it is a reality for too many, Black and otherwise. The focus of their complaint is off. Rather than disparage this movie, what they really want and should be arguing for, is more visibility into just average Black people lives. After all, true equality is the right to be mediocre and succeed, too. Similarly, some Black folks need to hear that being a big girl/boy ain't healthy, but I don't think Villarosa needed go AT Gabby Sidibe to make the point. We all likely know plenty of big girls/guys who are not healthy but celebrate their largess. It is a valid concern, given the number of health related issues caused, or exacerbated, by being overweight, but targeting this young lady is the wrong way to go, especially because if I recall correctly, part of her weight issues were directly in response to the abuse.

so we'll see... maybe if I am in need of a good cry...

i am, however, more concerned about the limited ability to actually see the movie....

Hey there!

I saw the movie solo Friday night. I was seated between a white female (on a date with her white boo) and a black gay man (on a date with his boo). So I had the best of both commentary- or lack there of. lol. I too was a bit disturbed by the laughter coming from some audience members.(as someone pointed out above) I think though, it came out of either, discomfort, comfort or ignorance of the films content- or a mixture of all three. Either way, I found Precious to tell a fictional story based on a book. Period. True, the story probably pulled bits and pieces of someone's (or some people's) real life, but what story isn't?!

I don't get into debates about black movies and how we are depicted. We are so diverse in our lifestyles to claim that Precious or Madea are a blanket representations of who we really are is very bestowing to sterotypes and limiting. Movies are one (or a few) people's creative vision about what they (or someone else) writes. If you want to tell your 'black' story, get a screenwriter and go to work. Otherwise, I say to all the harsh critics to take a chill pill and watch Love Jones, The Princess and the Frog(in December), The Wiz, Are We There Yet, Why Did I Get Married or any other non-abbrasive, family/love black film to make yourself feel better.

I can't wait to see Precious this weekend despite the controversial arguments. What maddens me is how we expect the few successful black filmmakers we have to carry the burden of all black people. So instead of being lauded for simply creating a great film they have to deal with comments like "Do we need another film about black pain??" Maybe or maybe not but if that's the story that THIS artist chooses to tell let him tell it. He can't carry the load of being everything to everybody. We need to instead focus on the barriers holding back other black filmmakers who want to make a black comedy (not Soul Plane or ShuckNJive Special), or a black horror, or a black thriller, or sci-fi. I mean come on! There's a place for all of these stories but don't down Daniels because he has a platform for HIS artist voice. Why get upset? Get inspired!

Oh and welcome to DC Snob!! I just discovered your blog about 2 months ago and have been reading it faithfully. I was way bummed when you went off-line last week. I can't wait to hear about experiences here. Let us know how you feel about go-go music. You have to love it in order to become an official card carrying member of our society! ;-)

I tend to shy away from Perry and Oprah films, but I do plan on seeing ‘Precious’. I can somewhat understand why people would have objection to yet another black film about black pain. I would agree it seems that when movies are about us they feature the extremes of rape and incest or buffoonery. But sometimes the stories of pain need to be told. That’s a problem with our community; we tend to hide from these issues. And if it’s a well made film that’s done artistically, I don’t see anything wrong with it.

I, for one, will not see this movie.

I haven't seen the film and probably won't until it's on DVD.

White's article could've been half as long and he would've made his point. I can't believe he said Little Man was an "excellent" film. It's just staggering someone could launch such a tirade against Precious and then praise a low-brow film like that.

This all sounds a lot like the controversy that surrounded The Color Purple. Ultimately I think the film should stand on its own as an individual story of perseverance.

I was not impressed with Mariah Carey's performance in Glitter, so I didn't pay attention to the promos for the movie and don't know anything about the book, Push. But last night I saw Larry King interview Mariah Carey. I was very impressed with Carey's performance in the clips and intend to see Precious soon.

@ conni3 wrote: "But sometimes the stories of pain need to be told." - agreed, and obesity and incest are problems that all races and classes experience.

Yes, I want to see the movie "Precious", but I do not want to read the book; it might be too emotional for me, and I am even nervous about seeing the movie. I am happy this movie was filmed because many can relate to the issue of abuse and incest. Like someone previously mention, it is a story that needs to be told. I read an article in the New York Times about the movie, Lee Daniels said during a screening of the film in Colorado, a white woman stood up and said that was her story. Pain is universal; it has no color.

this man is an entertainment commentator.

his career lacks credibility.

to the people who were distrurbed at the laughter of some of the audience members.....

did you laugh at the same scene?

I still want to see the movie and read the book. I agree with an earlier poster it's "Damn if you do or damn if you don't" when it comes to movies with predominately black cast.

I'm very hesistant to see the movie as I find it hard to believe the book can be done any justice on the big screen. It's a very emotional and deep story of disturbing abuse and neglect and the long road Precious took to overcome it. Admittedly I'm not a fan of anything Tyler Perry has ever touch, I hoped Oprah would help, however I'm not sure. I know it's been said before, but this is definitely a movie where the book must be read first. With all that being said, I'm on the fence about watching this movie.....

Finally, we have a movie (about some harsh realities black people face daily alone) that tells the story of so many people looking for a way out of misery in a broken-down, burnt-out system. Its time to reorganize our country and get our people the real help that is necessary to save lives and build a competent generation with values. If you wish to live well, you must help others to live well. God loves all of us and forgives us for our sins because of the great love He has for mankind. Can't we try to solve problems instead of making things worse with our petty disagreements about who's who in society?

I will see the movie on DVD. Based on Oprah's support of Chris Rock lately, I can't go on a sister's word. And what I've seen of Monique's late night show, from what i've seen of the previews that character wasn't too hard for her to play. Steve Harvey said "We got go be dignified, we can't just be ignorant...". I can't knock it until I see, but I've seen a lot of Black mom's destroy their kids due to their hatred for their children's fathers and themselves. See this ignorant story before in my community, will support it on video. I hope the movie has more value in the end than the hype of Monique getting an Oscar. "You never see our best, just who 'they' want us to see". Sounds familiar?

That girl can have all of courage and audacity in the world, but when I see the movie and if it sucks - it sucks. PhillyTerri, you seem to be the one making this child out to be ugly. She's blessed. Like I said, "I seen this ignorant story before in my community". Rather it was the little boy with the curley hair that ended up in prsion or the cute fast girl with no self-esteem that got pregnant in high school. Just make a movie about a fat girl doing something positive. Haven't seen the movie, she probably would have fareed well in a starter movie like "Akeelah and the Bee". Its going to be hard to break that type-cast if she did too well. People will feel pity rather than apprecaition. Good luck to all the fat girls, skinny girls, light girls, dark girls, mullattoes, whatever, just glad you all working, sisters!

Haven't had the chance to see the film yet only the promos. But I tend to agree with the first poster. We're damned if we do, damned if we don't.

Well, there have been excellent reviews and commentary supporting the film on Racialicious.com which is a site featuring a collection of blogs about racial issues, pop culture, etc. I plan on seeing it. I have heard nothing but good things and would challenge Tim Wise to see it if for no other reason, than to broaden his perspective. There is room in the community for many of our stories and they cannot all be wonderful. Racialicious also talks about how some of the cast changes take away from part of the authors message. i.e. substituting a white actress for a black character in the book (I think a teacher) which takes away from the role that the teacher plays in helping Precious learn to love her own Blackness as opposed to thinking that her life would be better if she were white.

I haven't seen it yet, but it seems to embody many messages that girls of color carry about themselves. I work in a middle school and see first hand how girls get messages that they are ok or not based on hair type, skin color, weight, etc. I feel if you have any committment to young women, then you need to see a slice of what some child's life is like. Otherwise you are engaging in wilful ignorance.