When I first saw the trailer for the Lee Daniels film, Precious, I was undeniably taken on a whirlwind of emotions. I did not want to see it because it looked too heavy, yet there was something that kept me intrigued about the storyline. The movie is based on the book Push by Sapphire, which I admittedly have never read. However, the fact that the story shows a positive outcome from a life of suffering is something that resonates with me. The film managed to hold my attention, even more so, because I could not believe the picks for the supporting cast – namely, Mariah Carey, Mo’Nique, and Lenny Kravitz. To successfully carry out such a deep and dramatic storyline, the actors needed would be those who can pull off authentic performances. The acting in this movie is astounding; especially the performance given by Mo’Nique, who plays “Mary”, mother of “Precious” and Gabourey Sibide in her first acting role plays the lead as “Precious”.

The story is set in 1980s Harlem and depicts the life of Claireece “Precious” Jones, a physically, sexually, and emotionally abused teen who, at 16, is still in middle school and pregnant for the second time. By all outside observances, she is likely to become another statistic of a young single mother in the hood, destined to be supported by welfare, work dead end jobs, and inevitably turn to drugs and alcohol to satiate the pain in her life. This movie, however, shows how the human spirit can endure traumatic experiences and evolve to create a life that can be rich and full of love. Precious is a powerful movie that takes you to dark places, probably those in which you would never wish to return – but it also shows you the light. It speaks truth to how it does not matter where you come from, all that matters is where you are going.

I have seen a “Precious” walking down the street, in my classes at school; she has been my friend and my foe. The thing is, “Precious” represents a many people – she represents each of us. We do not need to endure the most severe cases of abuse and neglect to know that at times we do not feel good enough. The thing that we all desire is acceptance for who we are, just the way that we are. The movie Precious is playing only in select theaters in the DMV. I assure you that you will not walk away from this movie with the same view of your life, be it a greater appreciation or a wake up call. If you did not already know, you will realize that life truly is Precious.