Oscar Worthy

It is not your typical holiday fare.  It is not a light, frothy film.  It is a powerful drama that I am sure hits home.  It definitely packs a wallop.  Based on a novel called Push, the celluloid adaptation is known as Precious.  Apparently there is another film called "Push" and producers did not want to confuse the issue.  
Precious- about a 16 year old teen who is still in junior high, is a teen mother and lives in a home with a very physically and abusive mother, portrayed by Mo'Nique.  Mother wants to live and remain on welfare and because of Precious's status of teen mom, the mom will live off the dole.  Her first pregnancy is part of a dark secret Precious does not choose to talk about.  She seems to enjoy learning as she hits and tells a classmate to shut up because she is trying to listen to what the teacher says.  Her grades are somewhat good and her school counsellor suggests alternative schooling.  Her mom thinks school is a waste of time; she should live on welfare.  Precious wants to better herself, and that is such a positive in such a dark film.  She has a great fantasy life- imagining herself on the red carpet as a celebrity and other things.  I suppose lots of people escape to fantasy because reality is too harsh, too painful.  In an interesting non-glamourous role of Precious's social worker, Mariah Carey, tries to help the troubled teen.  
Precious does attend the alternative school where she slowly progresses and raises her reading level to that of an 8th grader.  Oh, she is pregnant with her second child, to which she gives birth and names him Abdul.  It is because of this second baby the mother goes into mega-bitch mode.  Needless to say, Precious survives this and wants nothing more than the best for her children.
Gabourney Sidibie is amazing as Precious.  Her first film and I would not be surprised that she gets an Oscar nod, as well as Mo'Nique.  It must have been physically and spiritually draining on all the actors in  this film to get through a lot of the scenes.  They are graphic and give a glimpse of what life is like for a lot out there in such a situation.  Not a film for all, especially small children.  It is a film to watch with friends and when you want non-escapism entertainment.  I'd even forgo the popcorn.  To say "enjoy this film" would be a mistake.  Go...see...learn...think...have hope.