Set in Harlem in the 80s, it tells the story of "Precious" a (morbidly) obese teenage Aftrican-American girl whose family life is dysfunctional, to say the least. She has two illegitimate children (one with Down's Syndrome), both the product of being raped by her father. She lives with her housebound mother who is domineering and violent. Despite this, Precious is determined to acquire a basic education and be able to raise her children.
It's a grim, you might say unrealistically grim, storyline: it's hard to see how life could have conspired to be any worse for Precious. Still, it shines a spotlight on issues of entrenched poverty and welfare in a way that few, if any, films that I've seen before have done.
The performances are excellent throughout, particularly Gabourey Sidibe in the lead role of Precious and Mo'Nique as her mother. Mariah Carey has a surprisingly convincing turn as a concerned social worker, and Paula Patton catches the eye as a teacher in the special school that Precious attends.
Bottom Line: recommended viewing, but not one for a romantic first date.
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