The power of Oprah compels you.  Resistance is definitely futile.

Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire is, in case you have been living under a rock, the Oprah certified, Tyler Perry approved (and produced by both) adaptation of the novel in the title about a 16 year old black girl pregnant with her second child and living what can only be described as the (African) American Nightmare.  Poor, fat, black, pregnant, the child of a mother who literally hates her and only sees her as a condition begrudgingly needed for a welfare check, an incestuous rapist for a father, an inner city school where kids actually proudly raise their hands to proclaim they didn’t do their homework, Precious is in a cycle that is utterly hopeless.  People like her just don’t stand a chance, and this film opens with complete hopelessness that feels insurmountable.

We’re taken on a journey of self-empowerment that manages, despite the names involved in its production (who let’s face it are known for their earnestness more than their artistic risk taking) avoiding all the cliches that we would normally expect in this kind of film.  It is anchored by two stand-out performances: newcomer Gabourey “Gaby” Sidibe as the title character and the comedian Mo’Nique as her monster of a mother.  Mo’Nique is likely to appear on many year end “Best of” and awards lists, and I think Ms Sidibe could find herself there too.  Incidentally, there’s a scene of Mo’Nique in a jump suit that had me planning next year’s Halloween costume.

The film’s cast also features a gay favorite, none other than Ms Mariah Carey as a welfare counselor.  Let me just say that I am 100% convinced that Ms Carey, in order to shed the stink of “Glitter” demanded in her contract that she be allowed to not wear any makeup and had a lip wig made for her in order to get some screen cred.  I just found it a little ridiculous, since even a welfare counselor wears makeup.  That said she was perfectly serviceable in the role and didn’t embarrass herself.  There’s also some lesbo action (which Oprah must have had inserted in the film, don’t all her movies have a little sister on sister action?  I kid.) to keep things queer, and Lenny Kravitz for a little bit of man candy.

The most surprising thing to me was that the film is actually so well directed and had some great cinematic touches and treats in the way the story was told.  I don’t want to spoil it for anyone but this isn’t your straight up run of the mill inspirational tale.   A

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