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A few references to additional reviews and to the screenwriter were added as well as a reference to the unusually broad range of nominations.
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| director = [[Lee Daniels]]
| director = [[Lee Daniels]]
| producer = Lee Daniels<br />[[Oprah Winfrey]]<br />Tom Heller<br />[[Tyler Perry]]<br />Lisa Cortes<br />Sarah Siegel-Magness<br />Valerie Hoffman<br />Asger Hussain<br />Gary Magness<br />Mark G. Magges<br />Berrgen Swason<br />Simone Sheffield
| producer = Lee Daniels<br />[[Oprah Winfrey]]<br />Tom Heller<br />[[Tyler Perry]]<br />Lisa Cortes<br />Sarah Siegel-Magness<br />Valerie Hoffman<br />Asger Hussain<br />Gary Magness<br />Mark G. Magges<br />Berrgen Swason<br />Simone Sheffield
| writer = Geoffrey Fletcher<br />(Screen play)<br />[[Sapphire (author)|Sapphire]]<br />(Novel)
| writer = [[Geoffrey S. Fletcher]]<br />(Screen play)<br />[[Sapphire (author)|Sapphire]]<br />(Novel)
| starring = [[Gabourey Sidibe]]<br />[[Mo'Nique]]<br />[[Paula Patton]]<br />[[Mariah Carey]]<br />[[Lenny Kravitz]]<br >[[Sherri Shepherd]]
| starring = [[Gabourey Sidibe]]<br />[[Mo'Nique]]<br />[[Paula Patton]]<br />[[Mariah Carey]]<br />[[Lenny Kravitz]]<br >[[Sherri Shepherd]]
| music = Mario Grigorov
| music = Mario Grigorov
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| gross = $44,311,459<ref name="boxofficemojo"/>
| gross = $44,311,459<ref name="boxofficemojo"/>
}}
}}
'''''Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire''''' is a 2009 American drama film directed by [[Lee Daniels]]. ''Precious'' is an adaptation of the award-winning 1996 novel ''[[Push (novel)|Push]]'' by [[Sapphire (author)|Sapphire]]. The film's mainly female cast features [[Gabourey Sidibe]] as the title character, with [[Mo'Nique]], [[Paula Patton]], [[Mariah Carey]] and [[Lenny Kravitz]] in supporting roles. The film marked the acting debut of Sidibe.
'''''Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire''''' is a 2009 American drama film directed by [[Lee Daniels]]. ''Precious'' is an adaptation by [[Geoffrey S. Fletcher]] of the award-winning 1996 novel ''[[Push (novel)|Push]]'' by [[Sapphire (author)|Sapphire]]. The film's mainly female cast features [[Gabourey Sidibe]] as the title character, with [[Mo'Nique]], [[Paula Patton]], [[Mariah Carey]] and [[Lenny Kravitz]] in supporting roles. The film marked the acting debut of Sidibe.


The film, then without a distributor, premiered to acclaim at both the 2009 [[Sundance Film Festival]] and the [[2009 Cannes Film Festival]], under its original title of ''Push: Based On The Novel By Sapphire''.<ref name="varietydec08">{{cite web|url= http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=2470&articleid=VR1117996739&cs=1 |author=Todd McCarthy |title=Sundance unveils competition lineup |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety.com]] |date=2008-12-03 |accessdate=2009-11-16}}</ref> At Sundance, it won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize for best drama, as well as a Special Jury Prize for supporting actress [[Mo'Nique]].<ref name="imdb-awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0929632/awards |title=Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire: Awards |work=[[IMDb|IMDb.com]] |accessdate=2009-11-16}}</ref> After ''Precious'''s screening at Sundance in February 2009, [[Tyler Perry]] announced that he and [[Oprah Winfrey]] would be providing promotional assistance to the film, which was released through [[Lions Gate Entertainment]]. ''Precious'' won the People's Choice Award at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]] in September. The film's title was changed from ''Push'' to ''Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire'', to avoid confusion with the 2009 action film ''[[Push (2009 film)|Push]]''.<ref name="variety022009">{{cite web |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118000415.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |author=Tatiana Siegel |title=When 'Push' comes to shove |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety.com]] |date=2009-02-20 |accessdate=2009-11-16}}</ref>
The film, then without a distributor, premiered to acclaim at both the 2009 [[Sundance Film Festival]] and the [[2009 Cannes Film Festival]], under its original title of ''Push: Based On The Novel By Sapphire''.<ref name="varietydec08">{{cite web|url= http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=2470&articleid=VR1117996739&cs=1 |author=Todd McCarthy |title=Sundance unveils competition lineup |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety.com]] |date=2008-12-03 |accessdate=2009-11-16}}</ref> At Sundance, it won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize for best drama, as well as a Special Jury Prize for supporting actress [[Mo'Nique]].<ref name="imdb-awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0929632/awards |title=Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire: Awards |work=[[IMDb|IMDb.com]] |accessdate=2009-11-16}}</ref> After ''Precious'''s screening at Sundance in February 2009, [[Tyler Perry]] announced that he and [[Oprah Winfrey]] would be providing promotional assistance to the film, which was released through [[Lions Gate Entertainment]]. ''Precious'' won the People's Choice Award at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]] in September. The film's title was changed from ''Push'' to ''Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire'', to avoid confusion with the 2009 action film ''[[Push (2009 film)|Push]]''.<ref name="variety022009">{{cite web |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118000415.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |author=Tatiana Siegel |title=When 'Push' comes to shove |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety.com]] |date=2009-02-20 |accessdate=2009-11-16}}</ref>
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Mary Pols, of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' praised the film's sequences for being able to show the audience a "joyous Wizard of Oz energy" that is able to "open the door into Precious' mind in a way even [the author] Sapphire couldn't."<ref name="timereview"/> Pols felt that, while not implying that the film has "a lack of compelling emotional material" but that the film's "few weak moments" are the "ones that dovetail with typical inspirational stories."<ref name="timereview">{{cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1935116,00.html#ixzz0XQwx5gH3 |title=Precious Review: Too Powerful for Tears |date=2009-11-16 |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time.com]] |author=Mary Pols |accessdate=2009-11-20}}</ref> Marshall Fine, of ''[[Huffington Post]]'', referred to the film as being "almost a deal-breaker for many filmgoers".<ref name="fine review"/> Fine praised the film as being "a film that doesn't shy away from the depths to which human beings can sink, but it also shows the strength and resilience of which we are capable, even at our lowest moments."<ref name="fine review">{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marshall-fine/movie-review-iprecious-fr_b_346569.html |title=Movie review: Precious: From the Novel PUSH by Sapphire |work=[[Huffington Post|HuffingtonPost.com]] |date=2009-11-05 |author=Marshall Fine |accessdate=2009-11-20}}</ref> Scott Mendelson, also of the ''Huffington Post'', felt that when you put the "glaring issues aside," the film "still works as a potent character study and a glimpse inside a world we'd rather pretend does not exist in America." But while the film "succeeds as a powerful acting treat and a potent character study, there are some major narrative issues that prevent the film from being an accidental masterpiece."<ref name="mendelsonreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-mendelson/huff-post-review-precious_b_352425.html |author=Scott Mendelson |title=HuffPost Review: precious (2009) |work=[[Huffington Post|HuffingtonPost.com]] |date=2009-11-10 |accessdate=2009-11-20}}</ref> Mendelson described the film as being "an acting powerhouse" based on its many emotional themes.<ref name="mendelsonreview"/>
Mary Pols, of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' praised the film's sequences for being able to show the audience a "joyous Wizard of Oz energy" that is able to "open the door into Precious' mind in a way even [the author] Sapphire couldn't."<ref name="timereview"/> Pols felt that, while not implying that the film has "a lack of compelling emotional material" but that the film's "few weak moments" are the "ones that dovetail with typical inspirational stories."<ref name="timereview">{{cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1935116,00.html#ixzz0XQwx5gH3 |title=Precious Review: Too Powerful for Tears |date=2009-11-16 |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time.com]] |author=Mary Pols |accessdate=2009-11-20}}</ref> Marshall Fine, of ''[[Huffington Post]]'', referred to the film as being "almost a deal-breaker for many filmgoers".<ref name="fine review"/> Fine praised the film as being "a film that doesn't shy away from the depths to which human beings can sink, but it also shows the strength and resilience of which we are capable, even at our lowest moments."<ref name="fine review">{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marshall-fine/movie-review-iprecious-fr_b_346569.html |title=Movie review: Precious: From the Novel PUSH by Sapphire |work=[[Huffington Post|HuffingtonPost.com]] |date=2009-11-05 |author=Marshall Fine |accessdate=2009-11-20}}</ref> Scott Mendelson, also of the ''Huffington Post'', felt that when you put the "glaring issues aside," the film "still works as a potent character study and a glimpse inside a world we'd rather pretend does not exist in America." But while the film "succeeds as a powerful acting treat and a potent character study, there are some major narrative issues that prevent the film from being an accidental masterpiece."<ref name="mendelsonreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-mendelson/huff-post-review-precious_b_352425.html |author=Scott Mendelson |title=HuffPost Review: precious (2009) |work=[[Huffington Post|HuffingtonPost.com]] |date=2009-11-10 |accessdate=2009-11-20}}</ref> Mendelson described the film as being "an acting powerhouse" based on its many emotional themes.<ref name="mendelsonreview"/>

Veteran critic Jack Mathews wrote, “Without being familiar with the source material, you really have no idea how much work went into the adaptation or how well it was done.... 'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire'...First-time screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher did yeoman's work turning Sapphire's graphic, idiomatic novel into a coherent and inspiring story about the journey of an abused Harlem teenager.”"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moviefone.com/oscars-academy-awards/features/oscar-predictions |title=Oscar Predictions 2010: Who Will Be Nominated? |publisher=[[Moviefone|moviefone.com]] |accessdate=2010-02-02}}</ref> Owen Gleiberman's “'Precious' Displays Power of Film” (Entertainment Weekly) identifies how Daniels uses one of the rich scenes created by Fletcher to position Mo’nique in a painful confrontation with Sidibe that results in masterful and thought-provoking performance that delivers the final push needed by Sidibe: “The more Precious tries to get away from her mother, the more she's pulled back, and the final scene of revelation between them will leave you tearful, shaken, dazed with pity and terror. 'Precious' is a film that makes you think, 'There but for the grace of God go I.' It's a potent and moving experience, because by the end you feel you've witnessed nothing less than the birth of a soul.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/06/review.precious/index.html |title='Precious' displays power of film |publisher=[[CNN|CNN.com]] |accessdate=2010-02-02}}</ref>


''Precious'' has received negative responses from critics. In two separate articles, ''[[The New York Times]]'' cited [[Armond White]], critic for ''The [[New York Press]]'' as initiating the most powerful negative review. White compared the film to ''The Birth of A Nation'' as "demeaning the idea of black American life" and as the "con job of the year." Courtland Milloy, of ''The [[Washington Post]]'' said ''Precious'' was "a film of prurient interest that has about as much redeeming social value as a porn flick."<ref name="milloyreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/17/AR2009111703465.html |author=Courtland Milloy |work=[[Washington Post|WashingtonPost.com]] |date=2009-11-18 |title=A film as lost as the girl it glorifies |accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref> [[David Edelstein]], of ''New York Magazine'', commented that while the film has "elements" that are "powerful and shocking", he felt the movie was "programmed" and that the film had "its own study guide."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nymag.com/movies/reviews/61750/ |date=2009-11-01 |title=When Push Comes to Shove |work=NYMag.com |author=David Edelstein |accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref> Keith Uhlich, of ''Time Out New York'', felt that the film did not live-up to its "long hype", and felt that it was "bewildering" to discover the film's praise at the Sundance Film Festival because Uhlich characterized the film as having "shrug-worthiness."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/film/80310/precious-based-on-the-novel-push-by-sapphire-film-review |date=2009-11-04 |title=Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire |author=Keith Uhlich |work=NewYor.Timeout.com |accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref> Dana Stevens of ''Slate'' felt that the film's "eagerness" to "drag" the audience "through the lower depths of human experience" leaves the audience with no space to be able to come to their own "conclusions."<ref name="danareview"/> Stevens noted that while the film is about improvement and self-actualization, "it wields an awfully large cudgel."<ref name="danareview">{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2234728/ |date=2009-11-05 |author= Dana Stevens |title=Precious: Sorry I Didn't Like This Movie |work=Slate.com |accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref>
''Precious'' has received negative responses from critics. In two separate articles, ''[[The New York Times]]'' cited [[Armond White]], critic for ''The [[New York Press]]'' as initiating the most powerful negative review. White compared the film to ''The Birth of A Nation'' as "demeaning the idea of black American life" and as the "con job of the year." Courtland Milloy, of ''The [[Washington Post]]'' said ''Precious'' was "a film of prurient interest that has about as much redeeming social value as a porn flick."<ref name="milloyreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/17/AR2009111703465.html |author=Courtland Milloy |work=[[Washington Post|WashingtonPost.com]] |date=2009-11-18 |title=A film as lost as the girl it glorifies |accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref> [[David Edelstein]], of ''New York Magazine'', commented that while the film has "elements" that are "powerful and shocking", he felt the movie was "programmed" and that the film had "its own study guide."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nymag.com/movies/reviews/61750/ |date=2009-11-01 |title=When Push Comes to Shove |work=NYMag.com |author=David Edelstein |accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref> Keith Uhlich, of ''Time Out New York'', felt that the film did not live-up to its "long hype", and felt that it was "bewildering" to discover the film's praise at the Sundance Film Festival because Uhlich characterized the film as having "shrug-worthiness."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/film/80310/precious-based-on-the-novel-push-by-sapphire-film-review |date=2009-11-04 |title=Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire |author=Keith Uhlich |work=NewYor.Timeout.com |accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref> Dana Stevens of ''Slate'' felt that the film's "eagerness" to "drag" the audience "through the lower depths of human experience" leaves the audience with no space to be able to come to their own "conclusions."<ref name="danareview"/> Stevens noted that while the film is about improvement and self-actualization, "it wields an awfully large cudgel."<ref name="danareview">{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2234728/ |date=2009-11-05 |author= Dana Stevens |title=Precious: Sorry I Didn't Like This Movie |work=Slate.com |accessdate=2009-11-18}}</ref>
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===Awards and nominations===
===Awards and nominations===
{{see|List of accolades received by Precious (film)}}
{{see|List of accolades received by Precious (film)}}
''Precious'' has been nominated in award categories ranging from the performance of the cast to the direction to the film itself. Director Lee Daniels won the [[People's Choice Award]], an award given by audience members at the [[2009 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE58I15F20090919 |title="Precious" wins top Toronto film festival prize |date=2009-09-21 |author=Cameron French |accessdate=2009-11-16 |work=[[Reuters|Reuters.com]]}}</ref> Daniels won both awards for which he was nominated at the San Sebastián International Film Festival—the "TVE Otra Mirada Award" and the "Audience Award". He was nominated in the category of "Bronze Horse" at the Stockholm Film Festival,<ref name="imdb-awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0929632/awards |title=Awards |work=[[IMDb|IMDb.com]] |accessdate=2010-01-27}}</ref> and was the recipient for "Best Feature Film" from the Hawaii International Film Festival.<ref name="imdb-awards"/> ''Precious'' received five nominations at the 2009 [[Independent Spirit Awards]] (ISA) in the categories for best film, screenplay, direction, and the cast's performance.<ref name="isa">{{cite web |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2009/12/precious-and-the-last-station-lead-independent-spirit-award-nominations.html |date=2009-12-01 |work=[[Los Angeles Times|LATimes.com]] |title='Precious' and 'The Last Station' lead Independent Spirit Award nominations [Updated] |author=Susan King |accessdate=2009-12-01}}</ref> ''Precious'' received nominations from the 67th Annual Golden Globes for the film and for the performances of Mo'Nique and Sidibe;<ref name="ggnoms">{{cite web |url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/news/id/159 |title=The 16th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations |date=2009-12-15 |author=HFPA News |work=[[Golden Globes|GoldenGlobes.org]] |accessdate=2009-12-15}}</ref> Mo'Nique won Best Supporting Actress. ''Precious'' was nominated in all three major categories at the [[16th Screen Actors Guild Awards|2009 Screen Actor Guild Awards]]; best cast, best actress, and best supporting actress.<ref name="sag">{{cite web |url=http://www.sagawards.org/PR_091217 |title=Nominations Announced For The 16th Annual Screen Actor Guild Awards |date=2009-12-17 |author=Screen Actor Guild Awards |work=[[Screen Actors Guild Awards|SAGAwards.com]] |accessdate=2009-12-17}}</ref> ''Precious'' was considered for the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] awards in several categories, including Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Leading Actress (Gabourey Sidibe), Supporting Actress (Carey and Mo'Nique).<ref name="baftaconsideration">{{cite web |url=http://static.bafta.org/files/long-list-0910-400.pdf |title=Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2010 – Long List |work=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|Static.BAFTA.org]] |accessdate=2010-01-08}}</ref>. On February 2, 2010, the film received a total of 6 Academy Award nominations at the [[82nd Academy Awards]], including Best Picture, Best Actress (Sidibe), Best Supporting Actress (Mo'Nique), Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
Another notable example of Daniel's uncommon ability to identify and motivate talent, ''Precious'' has received dozens of nominations in award categories ranging from the performance of the cast to the direction to the cinematography to the adaptation of the book into the screenplay to the film itself including six Academy Award Nominations. Director Lee Daniels won the [[People's Choice Award]], an award given by audience members at the [[2009 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE58I15F20090919 |title="Precious" wins top Toronto film festival prize |date=2009-09-21 |author=Cameron French |accessdate=2009-11-16 |work=[[Reuters|Reuters.com]]}}</ref> Daniels won both awards for which he was nominated at the San Sebastián International Film Festival—the "TVE Otra Mirada Award" and the "Audience Award". He was nominated in the category of "Bronze Horse" at the Stockholm Film Festival,<ref name="imdb-awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0929632/awards |title=Awards |work=[[IMDb|IMDb.com]] |accessdate=2010-01-27}}</ref> and was the recipient for "Best Feature Film" from the Hawaii International Film Festival.<ref name="imdb-awards"/> ''Precious'' received five nominations at the 2009 [[Independent Spirit Awards]] (ISA) in the categories for best film, screenplay, direction, and the cast's performance.<ref name="isa">{{cite web |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2009/12/precious-and-the-last-station-lead-independent-spirit-award-nominations.html |date=2009-12-01 |work=[[Los Angeles Times|LATimes.com]] |title='Precious' and 'The Last Station' lead Independent Spirit Award nominations [Updated] |author=Susan King |accessdate=2009-12-01}}</ref> ''Precious'' received nominations from the 67th Annual Golden Globes for the film and for the performances of Mo'Nique and Sidibe;<ref name="ggnoms">{{cite web |url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/news/id/159 |title=The 16th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations |date=2009-12-15 |author=HFPA News |work=[[Golden Globes|GoldenGlobes.org]] |accessdate=2009-12-15}}</ref> Mo'Nique won Best Supporting Actress. ''Precious'' was nominated in all three major categories at the [[16th Screen Actors Guild Awards|2009 Screen Actor Guild Awards]]; best cast, best actress, and best supporting actress.<ref name="sag">{{cite web |url=http://www.sagawards.org/PR_091217 |title=Nominations Announced For The 16th Annual Screen Actor Guild Awards |date=2009-12-17 |author=Screen Actor Guild Awards |work=[[Screen Actors Guild Awards|SAGAwards.com]] |accessdate=2009-12-17}}</ref> ''Precious'' was considered for the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] awards in several categories, including Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Leading Actress (Gabourey Sidibe), Supporting Actress (Carey and Mo'Nique).<ref name="baftaconsideration">{{cite web |url=http://static.bafta.org/files/long-list-0910-400.pdf |title=Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2010 – Long List |work=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|Static.BAFTA.org]] |accessdate=2010-01-08}}</ref>. On February 2, 2010, the film received Academy Award nominations at the [[82nd Academy Awards]], including Best Picture (the producers including Daniels), Best Actress (Sidibe), Best Supporting Actress (Mo'Nique), Best Director (Daniels), Best Adapted Screenplay (Fletcher), and Best Film Editing (Klotz).


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 01:57, 3 February 2010

Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLee Daniels
Written byGeoffrey S. Fletcher
(Screen play)
Sapphire
(Novel)
Produced byLee Daniels
Oprah Winfrey
Tom Heller
Tyler Perry
Lisa Cortes
Sarah Siegel-Magness
Valerie Hoffman
Asger Hussain
Gary Magness
Mark G. Magges
Berrgen Swason
Simone Sheffield
StarringGabourey Sidibe
Mo'Nique
Paula Patton
Mariah Carey
Lenny Kravitz
Sherri Shepherd
CinematographyAndrew Dunn
Darren Lew
Edited byJoe Klotz
Music byMario Grigorov
Production
companies
Lee Daniels Entertainment
Smokewood Entertainment Group
Distributed byLions Gate Entertainment
Release dates
January 15, 2009 (2009-01-15)
(Sundance)
November 6, 2009
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$10 million[1]
Box office$44,311,459[1]

Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire is a 2009 American drama film directed by Lee Daniels. Precious is an adaptation by Geoffrey S. Fletcher of the award-winning 1996 novel Push by Sapphire. The film's mainly female cast features Gabourey Sidibe as the title character, with Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz in supporting roles. The film marked the acting debut of Sidibe.

The film, then without a distributor, premiered to acclaim at both the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, under its original title of Push: Based On The Novel By Sapphire.[2] At Sundance, it won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize for best drama, as well as a Special Jury Prize for supporting actress Mo'Nique.[3] After Precious's screening at Sundance in February 2009, Tyler Perry announced that he and Oprah Winfrey would be providing promotional assistance to the film, which was released through Lions Gate Entertainment. Precious won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. The film's title was changed from Push to Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire, to avoid confusion with the 2009 action film Push.[4]

Lions Gate gave the film a limited release, which would be expanded on November 20, in North America on November 6, 2009. Precious received largely positive reviews from critics; the acting, the story, and its message were generally praised, with criticism mainly aimed at fears of the film's content sending a negative message; some reviewers felt that the film did not live up to its hype. In the film's opening weekend in limited release, it grossed $1.8 million, putting it in 12th place at the box office. The film, as of 6 January 2010, has made over $43 million, recouping its $10 million budget.[1] The film has received awards and nominations including three Golden Globe and Screen Actor Guild nominations, and 6 Oscar nominations.

Plot

Further information: [[:Plot of the novel]]

In 1987, obese, illiterate, black 16-year-old Claireece Precious Jones (referred to by her middle name) lives in the New York City neighborhood of Harlem with her dysfunctional mother, Mary. She has been impregnated twice by her father, Carl, and suffers long term physical, mental and sexual abuse from her unemployed mother. The family resides in a Section 8 tenement and subsists on welfare. Her first child, known only as "Mongo" (short for "Mongoloid"), has Down syndrome and is being cared for by Precious's grandmother.

Following the discovery of Precious' second pregnancy, she is suspended from school. Her junior high school principal arranges to have her attend an alternative school, which she hopes can help Precious change her life's direction. Precious finds a way out of her traumatic daily existence through imagination and fantasy. While she is being raped by her father, she looks at the ceiling and imagines herself in a music video shoot in which she is the superstar and the focus of attention. While looking in photograph albums, she imagines the pictures talking to her. When she looks in the mirror, she sees a pretty, white, thin, blonde girl. In her mind there is another world where she is loved and appreciated.

Inspired by her new teacher Miss Blu Rain, Precious begins learning to read. Precious meets sporadically with a social worker named Miss Weiss, who learns about incest in the household when Precious unintentionally implies it to her. Precious gives birth to her second child and names him Abdul. While at the hospital, she meets John McFadden, a nurse who shows kindness to her. After Mary deliberately drops three-day-old Abdul and hits Precious, Precious fights back long enough to get her son and flees her home permanently. Shortly after leaving the house, Precious breaks into her school classroom to get out of the cold and is discovered the following morning by Miss Rain. The teacher finds assistance for Precious, who begins raising her son in a half-way house while she continues academically.

Feeling dejected, Precious meets Miss Weiss at her office and steals her case file. Precious recounts the details of the file to her fellow students and has a new lease on life. Her mother comes back into her life to inform Precious that her father has died of AIDS. Later, Precious learns that she is HIV positive, but Abdul is not. Mary and Precious see each other for the last time in Miss Weiss' office, where Weiss questions Mary about her abuse of Precious, and uncovers specific traumas Precious encountered. The film ends with Precious still resolved to improve her life for herself and her children. She severs ties with her mother and plans to complete a General Educational Development test.

Cast

A light haired medium skin colored female smiling. The female has long hair and is wearing a white sleeved shirt that is slightly un-buttoned at the top.
Carey at the premiere of Tennessee in 2008. Daniels stated he cast her in the role of Mrs. Weiss based on her performance in this film.

In September 2007, 24-year-old Gabourey Sidibe was cast as Claireece Precious Jones. She was chosen out of over 300 young girls who auditioned in casting calls around the country.[5] In the film, "Precious" is verbally, sexually and physically abused by her parents and is an illiterate overweight teenager expecting her second child and given her last chance to get an education, via an alternative school in Harlem. At the time of casting, Sidibe had no acting experience.[6]

Mariah Carey was cast as Ms. Weiss, Precious' social worker who supports her during her struggles. In September 2008,[7][8] Carey described her character as “not really a likable person, but she does bring this to the surface".[8][9] Carey and Daniels had previously worked together on Tennessee.[5] Daniels said that he cast Carey because he was "so impressed" by her performance in Tennessee.[7] Sapphire (the author of the novel) makes a cameo appearance as a woman at a day care center near the end of the film.[10]

Paula Patton was cast as Ms. Blu Rain, Precious' alternative school teacher.[11] Patton said that her character teaches Precious to "learn and read and write from the very beginnings, and pushes her to believe in herself, and pushes her to realize that anything is possible."[11] Mo'Nique was cast as Mary Lee Johnston, Precious' mother, who is verbally and physically abusive.[6] Mo'Nique and Daniels had previous worked together on the 2005 film Shadowboxer. Bill Sage was cast as Mr. Wicher. Sage had co-starred with Carey in Glitter, as well as previously working with Daniels on Tennessee.[5] Robert De Niro's wife Grace Hightower was cast as a social worker;[10] her role in the film marks her first acting role and film debut.[12]

In October 2007, Stephanie Andujar, 23, was cast as Rita, a 16-year-old former heroin addict and prostitute, who attends the same alternative school in Harlem as Precious and later befriends her.[13] During Andujar's audition, Daniels was so impressed that he interrupted her dialogue and stated, "I want you in my movie."[13] Lenny Kravitz was cast as John McFadden, a nurse who shows kindness to Precious.[5][7] This film is Kravitz's feature film acting debut.[5] GREAT STORY!!

Production

An apartment building complex with multiple square windows that are right beside fire escapes. In front of the building are six cars, of different colors, and a street.
Precious was filmed on location in various parts of New York City, including the film's main setting Harlem, for the period of over five weeks.

Precious was directed by Lee Daniels and co-produced by Daniels' company, Lee Daniels Entertainment, and the Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness-owned Smokewood Entertainment Group.[14] The two production companies had previously collaborated with Daniels on Tennessee (2008).[14] Precious had, in total, twelve producers: Daniels, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Heller, director and screenwriter Tyler Perry, Lisa Cortes, Gary Magness, Valerie Hoffman, Asger Hussain, Mark G. Magges, Berrgen Swason, Simone Sheffield and Sarah Siegel-Magness.[15] In September, 2007, Carey confirmed that the film's writer, Barsocchini, was still working on the script, which was in its early stages.[7] Principal photography (filming) for the film took place on location in various parts of New York City.[16] The production budget was $10 million.[1]

After Precious was screened at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in January, it was picked up for distribution by Lions Gate Entertainment and received promotional assistance from Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions and Tyler Perry's 34th Street Films.[17] Precious was the first theatrical film to be affiliated with Perry's company.[18] In February 2009, Lionsgate and The Weinstein Company filed lawsuits contesting ownership of the rights to release Precious.[19] Both companies claim that they had purchased distribution rights to Precious: The Weinstein Company claimed that they had "secured" their rights while Lionsgate stated that they owned the rights to the film's distribution in North America.[19] Precious' sales agent Cinetic Media denied Weinstein's claims, stating that they failed to finalize the deal.[19]

Music

Main article: Precious (soundtrack)

Composer Robin Thicke wrote and produced "Push", the film's original main theme music.[20] Later announcements confirmed that the song would be replaced by Mary J. Blige's "I Can See In Color".[21] Leona Lewis' song, "Happy" (from her album Echo) is featured in the film's trailer.[22] Daniels stated that the artists featured on the film's soundtrack were selected because they "resonate not only in Precious's world, but speak to your soul no matter who you are".[23] Two other songs, performed decades earlier by Queen Latifah and Mahalia Jackson,, were also chosen for the film's soundtrack.[23] The soundtrack features LaBelle, Donna Allen, Jean Carn, Sunny Gale, and MFSB.[21]

Lionsgate, in association with Matriarch/Geffen Records released the soundtrack online as a digital download on November 3, 2009,[24] and in stores on November 23.[21][23] Daniels confirmed that there are plans to release Blige's "I Can See in Color" as a single from the soundtrack.[23] The song was written by Blige, Raphael Saadiq and LaNeah Menzies and is produced by Raphael Saadiq.[24] People Magazine Daily noted that the film "mainly had a music supervised soundtrack, but not much of a score, so there were popular songs placed in the movie."[25] Peter Travers, of Rolling Stone, described the song "I Can See In Color" as being "...a knockout song...expressing the goal of Precious to see the world in color."[21][26]

Release

Marketing

A dark skinned man with a black afro. The man is smiling and is wearing a dark green button shirt wide open on top of a buttoned up turquoise shirt.
The film's director, Lee Daniels, said that he was, at first, "embarrassed" to screen Precious at the Cannes Film Festival because he felt that it would show African-Americans in a negative light, due to its content.[27]

Precious was screened during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival from January 15, 2009 until January 25 in Park City, Utah.[28] At Sundance, Precious was listed under its original title of Push: Based On The Novel By Sapphire, to avoid confusion with another 2009 film entitled "Push".[2] Precious appeared in the Un Certain Regard - an award section recognising unique and innovative films, at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in May, 2009.[29] At Cannes, the film received a fifteen-minute standing ovation from the audience after the film was screened.[27] Daniels commented that, at first he was "embarrassed" to show Precious at Cannes because he did not want "to exploit black people" and wasn’t sure if he "wanted white French people to see our world."[27] After the success at Precious's screenings at Sundance, reporters took note that the film could mirror the success of other films that had been screened and praised at the festival.[18][30] S. James Snyder, of Time, compared Precious's success at Sundance to that of 2008's The Wrestler and Slumdog Millionaire; both films later were nominated for multiple Academy Awards; Slumdog itself winning Best Picture.[18]

Winfrey used her status as both a celebrity and a media personality to give the film, what was described by Ben Child of the Guardian.co.uk, as being a "high-profile promotional push".[18][31] At a press conference Winfrey announced her intention to lead a promotional campaign on behalf of Precious along with her other various platforms, hoping to be able to "bring in different audiences" by promoting the film on her show, in her magazine and on her satellite-radio channel.[18] Katie Walmsley of CNN remarked, based on the film's positive reception at the Toronto Film Festival, that the film "at the very least, [because of] the [Toronto] award will guarantee "Precious" substantial distribution, as well as exposure for two-time director Daniels."[30] The trailer for Precious was shown during previews of the film's producer Perry's film I Can Do Bad All By Myself in September 2009.[32]

Box office

Precious was given a limited-theater release and was originally scheduled to be released only in North America. However a release date was set at February 4 in Australia. Due to the mature subject matter of the film, it was rated "R" by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in the United States because of its depiction of "child abuse including sexual assault, and pervasive language".[33] The film was given a limited-theater release nationwide in North America on November 6, and on November 20 was given a wider release with three times more theaters.[1] During the opening weekend release of Precious, the film was only shown on 18 screens nationwide yet earned over $1,872,458, averaging over $104,000 per theater. This placed the film twelfth place at the box office.[1][34] The film saw a 213.7% increase in its second week of release, earning $5,874,628 at 174 theaters, with a per-theater average of $33,762. The film moved up from twelfth to third place in box office grosses for the week, slightly edging out The Men Who Stare at Goats, which was released widely yet made only $5,861,753.[1] On November 20, 2009, the film received a wider release, playing at 629 theaters (thus tripling the number of theaters showing the film).[1] Studio estimates predicted that during the film's third week of release (first in wide release) that the film was expected to place in the top-ten box office charts with a revenue of over 11 million.[35] Precious, like studios estimated, placed in the top-ten chart, taking sixth place.[1] With the revenue of an estimated 11,008,000, the film saw a 87.4% increase from the previous week.[1]

In the film's fourth week of release, despite having an increase in theaters, the film saw a 34.8% decrease in profits with the revenue of $7,090,000, placing the film at eight place at the box office.[36] By the film's fifth week of release it saw a 67.4% decrease, placing outside of the top 10 at the box office at twelfth place with the revenue of $2,310,000.[37] In the film's sixth week of release it saw a 43.9% decrease, making 1,280,550, placing it within the top 20 charting position's at the box office at fifteen.[38] The film opened at ninth place in the United Kingdom, with the revenue of £259,000 in it's opening weekend from limited release of 47 cinemas, generating a £5,552 screen average.[39] Precious holds the record as the highest grossing film that opened on fewer than 100 theaters, and holds the record for the highest grossing average per screen for films shown in fewer than 50 theaters.[40] Brandon Grey of Box Office Mojo described Precious as having had a "robust expansion" in its second week of release, and confirmed that the film holds the record for having the second-highest grossing weekend for a movie playing at fewer than 200 sites, behind only Paranormal Activity, which was released several weeks earlier.[41] Precious had grossed a total of $40,320,285 in over six weeks of being released.[1]

Reception

Critical reception

Precious received mostly positive reviews from film critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 91% of 162 critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 7.9 out of 10.[42] Among Rotten Tomatoes' "Top Critics", which consists of popular and notable critics from the top newspapers, websites, television and radio programs, the film holds an overall approval rating of 91%, based on a sample of 32 reviews.The site's general consensus is that "Precious is a grim yet ultimately triumphant film about abuse and inner-city life, largely bolstered by exceptional performances from its cast."[43] Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from film critics, has a rating score of 79 based on 35 reviews.[44]

John Anderson, of Variety, said "to simply call it harrowing or unsparing doesn’t quite cut it" having felt that the film is "courageous and uncompromising, a shaken cocktail of debasement and elation, despair and hope."[45] Anderson cited Carey's performance as "pitch perfect" and Patton's role as Ms. Blu Rain as disarming."[45] Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly, praised Carey's performance, describing it as having been "an authentically deglammed compassion" and praised the film for 'capturing' "how a lost girl rouses herself from the dead" and for Daniels' showing "unflinching courage as a filmmaker by going this deep into the pathologies that may still linger in the closets of some impoverished inner-city lives."[46] Gleiberman described the film as being a movie "that makes you think, 'There but for the grace of God go I.' [...] It's a potent and moving experience, because by the end you feel you've witnessed nothing less than the birth of a soul" and felt that the "final scene of revelation" between Sidibe and Mo'Niques characters was strong enough to be able to leave viewers "tearful, shaken, [and] dazed with pity and terror."[46]

Roger Ebert, of the Chicago Sun-Times, praised Mo'Nique and Sidibe's performances.[47] Ebert described Mo'Nique's performance as being "frighteningly convincing" and felt that "the film is a tribute to Sidibe's ability to engage our empathy" because she "completely creates the Precious character." He noted that Carey and Patton "are equal with Sidibe in screen impact".[47] Ebert praised Daniels because rather than casting the actors for their names, "he was able to see beneath the surface and trust that they had within the emotional resources to play these women, and he was right."[47] Betsey Sharkey, of the Los Angeles Times describes the film as being a "rough-cut diamond... [A] rare blend of pure entertainment and dark social commentary, it is a shockingly raw, surprisingly irreverent and absolutely unforgettable story."[48] Claudia Puig, of USA Today says that while there are "melodramatic moments" in the film, the cast gives "remarkable performances" to show the audiences the film's "inspiring message."[49] Peter Travers, of Rolling Stone called Mo'Nique "dynamite", a performance that "tears at your heart."[26]

Mary Pols, of Time praised the film's sequences for being able to show the audience a "joyous Wizard of Oz energy" that is able to "open the door into Precious' mind in a way even [the author] Sapphire couldn't."[50] Pols felt that, while not implying that the film has "a lack of compelling emotional material" but that the film's "few weak moments" are the "ones that dovetail with typical inspirational stories."[50] Marshall Fine, of Huffington Post, referred to the film as being "almost a deal-breaker for many filmgoers".[51] Fine praised the film as being "a film that doesn't shy away from the depths to which human beings can sink, but it also shows the strength and resilience of which we are capable, even at our lowest moments."[51] Scott Mendelson, also of the Huffington Post, felt that when you put the "glaring issues aside," the film "still works as a potent character study and a glimpse inside a world we'd rather pretend does not exist in America." But while the film "succeeds as a powerful acting treat and a potent character study, there are some major narrative issues that prevent the film from being an accidental masterpiece."[52] Mendelson described the film as being "an acting powerhouse" based on its many emotional themes.[52]

Veteran critic Jack Mathews wrote, “Without being familiar with the source material, you really have no idea how much work went into the adaptation or how well it was done.... 'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire'...First-time screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher did yeoman's work turning Sapphire's graphic, idiomatic novel into a coherent and inspiring story about the journey of an abused Harlem teenager.”"[53] Owen Gleiberman's “'Precious' Displays Power of Film” (Entertainment Weekly) identifies how Daniels uses one of the rich scenes created by Fletcher to position Mo’nique in a painful confrontation with Sidibe that results in masterful and thought-provoking performance that delivers the final push needed by Sidibe: “The more Precious tries to get away from her mother, the more she's pulled back, and the final scene of revelation between them will leave you tearful, shaken, dazed with pity and terror. 'Precious' is a film that makes you think, 'There but for the grace of God go I.' It's a potent and moving experience, because by the end you feel you've witnessed nothing less than the birth of a soul.”[54]

Precious has received negative responses from critics. In two separate articles, The New York Times cited Armond White, critic for The New York Press as initiating the most powerful negative review. White compared the film to The Birth of A Nation as "demeaning the idea of black American life" and as the "con job of the year." Courtland Milloy, of The Washington Post said Precious was "a film of prurient interest that has about as much redeeming social value as a porn flick."[55] David Edelstein, of New York Magazine, commented that while the film has "elements" that are "powerful and shocking", he felt the movie was "programmed" and that the film had "its own study guide."[56] Keith Uhlich, of Time Out New York, felt that the film did not live-up to its "long hype", and felt that it was "bewildering" to discover the film's praise at the Sundance Film Festival because Uhlich characterized the film as having "shrug-worthiness."[57] Dana Stevens of Slate felt that the film's "eagerness" to "drag" the audience "through the lower depths of human experience" leaves the audience with no space to be able to come to their own "conclusions."[58] Stevens noted that while the film is about improvement and self-actualization, "it wields an awfully large cudgel."[58]

Awards and nominations

Further information: List of accolades received by Precious (film)

Another notable example of Daniel's uncommon ability to identify and motivate talent, Precious has received dozens of nominations in award categories ranging from the performance of the cast to the direction to the cinematography to the adaptation of the book into the screenplay to the film itself including six Academy Award Nominations. Director Lee Daniels won the People's Choice Award, an award given by audience members at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.[59] Daniels won both awards for which he was nominated at the San Sebastián International Film Festival—the "TVE Otra Mirada Award" and the "Audience Award". He was nominated in the category of "Bronze Horse" at the Stockholm Film Festival,[3] and was the recipient for "Best Feature Film" from the Hawaii International Film Festival.[3] Precious received five nominations at the 2009 Independent Spirit Awards (ISA) in the categories for best film, screenplay, direction, and the cast's performance.[60] Precious received nominations from the 67th Annual Golden Globes for the film and for the performances of Mo'Nique and Sidibe;[61] Mo'Nique won Best Supporting Actress. Precious was nominated in all three major categories at the 2009 Screen Actor Guild Awards; best cast, best actress, and best supporting actress.[62] Precious was considered for the BAFTA awards in several categories, including Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Leading Actress (Gabourey Sidibe), Supporting Actress (Carey and Mo'Nique).[63]. On February 2, 2010, the film received Academy Award nominations at the 82nd Academy Awards, including Best Picture (the producers including Daniels), Best Actress (Sidibe), Best Supporting Actress (Mo'Nique), Best Director (Daniels), Best Adapted Screenplay (Fletcher), and Best Film Editing (Klotz).

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Precious: Based On The Novel 'Push' By Sapphire". BoxOfficeMoJo.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16. Cite error: The named reference "boxofficemojo" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Todd McCarthy (2008-12-03). "Sundance unveils competition lineup". Variety.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  3. ^ a b c "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire: Awards". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16. Cite error: The named reference "imdb-awards" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ Tatiana Siegel (2009-02-20). "When 'Push' comes to shove". Variety.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  5. ^ a b c d e Michael Flemming (2007-10-29). "Lee Daniels to direct 'Push'". Variety.com. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  6. ^ a b Eric Ditzian (2009-08-26). "Mariah Carey And Gabourey Sidibe Became 'Besties' On 'Precious' Set". MTV.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  7. ^ a b c d Molloy Rush (2008-09-22). "Mariah Carey makes new 'Push' into acting". NYDailyNews.com. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  8. ^ a b Karen Bliss (2009-09-18). "Mariah Carey's Hardest "Precious" Challenge: Going With No Makeup". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  9. ^ Madeleine Kuhns (2009-11-06). "Mariah Carey Speaks Out on Her Precious Mustache". NyMag.com. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  10. ^ a b "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Full Cast and Crew". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  11. ^ a b Michael J. Lee (2008-08-12). "Paula Patton on 'Push'". Radio Free Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  12. ^ "Grace Hightower". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
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  14. ^ a b Davis, Joyzelle (2008-01-22), "Billionaires behind the camera", Rocky Mountain News
  15. ^ "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Cast". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
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  18. ^ a b c d e S. James Snyder (2009-09-21). "Can Oprah Lead Precious All the Way to Oscar?". Time.com. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  19. ^ a b c John Horn (2009-02-05). "'Push' comes to shove in movie rights fight". LATimes.com. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  20. ^ Gail Mitchell (2008-08-29). "Robin Thicke reflects on race, music and Something Else". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  21. ^ a b c d Press Release (2009-11-05). "Lionsgate Music, in Association With Matriarch/Geffen Records, Announces Release of Soundtrack to Lee Daniels' Highly Anticipated Film Precious: Based On The Novel 'Push' By Sapphire". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  22. ^ ""Happy" Featured in Precious Movie Trailer". LeonaLewis.com. 2009-11-10. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
  23. ^ a b c d "Blige performs on 'Precious' soundtrack". UPI.com. 2009-11-09. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  24. ^ a b "Precious Soundtrack". InterScope.com. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  25. ^ Editorial Staff (2009-11-17). "Precious Movie Review: Mo'Nique Shines Wickedly, but Characters Fail to Connect; Tiny Roles for Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Sherri Shepherd". PeopleMagazineDaily.com. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  26. ^ a b Peter Travas (2009-11-05). "Precious Review". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  27. ^ a b c Lynn Hirschberg (2009-10-25). "The Audacity of 'Precious'". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2009-11-. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  28. ^ Brooks Addicott. "Press & Industry -- Sundance Film Festival (festival dates)". Sundance.org. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  29. ^ "Festival de Cannes: Precious". Festival.Cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  30. ^ a b Katie Walmsley (2009-09-21). "Oprah flick 'Precious' wins top award at Toronto". CNN.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  31. ^ Ben Child (2009-09-21). "Oprah Winfrey helps Precious find love in Toronto". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  32. ^ William Gross (2009-02-20). "'Push' Shoved; 'Precious' is the New Title for Sundance Smash". Cinematical. com. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  33. ^ "Precious (Based On The Novel 'Push' By Sapphire)". MPAA.com. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  34. ^ "November 6–8, 2009". BoxOfficeMoJo.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  35. ^ "November 20–22, 2009: Weekend Studio Estimates". BoxOfficeMoJo.com. Retrieved 2009-11-22.
  36. ^ "November 27–29, 2009". BoxOfficeMoJo.com. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  37. ^ "December 4–6, 2009". BoxOfficeMoJo.com. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  38. ^ "December 11–13, 2009". BoxOfficeMoJo.com. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  39. ^ "Precious gives Avatar a run for its screen average at UK box office". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  40. ^ Pamela McClintock (2009-11-07). "'Precious' on path to indie success". Variety.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  41. ^ Branon Grey (2009-11-16). "Weekend Report: '2012' Plagues the Box Office". BoxOfficeMojo.com. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  42. ^ "Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire (2009)". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
  43. ^ "Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire (Cream of the Crop)". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-12-26.
  44. ^ "Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire (2009): Reviews". Metacritic. CNET Networks. Retrieved 2009-12-26.
  45. ^ a b John Anderson (2009-01-18). "Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire". Variety.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  46. ^ a b Owen Gleiberman (2009-11-11). "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (2009)". EntertainmentWeekly.com. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  47. ^ a b c Roger Ebert (2009-11-04). "Precious (R)". Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  48. ^ Betsey Sharkey (2009-11-06). "'Precious' cuts deep". LATimes.com. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  49. ^ Claudia Puig (2009-11-06). "'Precious' is raw and painful but poignant". USAToday.com. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  50. ^ a b Mary Pols (2009-11-16). "Precious Review: Too Powerful for Tears". Time.com. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  51. ^ a b Marshall Fine (2009-11-05). "Movie review: Precious: From the Novel PUSH by Sapphire". HuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  52. ^ a b Scott Mendelson (2009-11-10). "HuffPost Review: precious (2009)". HuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  53. ^ "Oscar Predictions 2010: Who Will Be Nominated?". moviefone.com. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  54. ^ "'Precious' displays power of film". CNN.com. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  55. ^ Courtland Milloy (2009-11-18). "A film as lost as the girl it glorifies". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  56. ^ David Edelstein (2009-11-01). "When Push Comes to Shove". NYMag.com. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  57. ^ Keith Uhlich (2009-11-04). "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire". NewYor.Timeout.com. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  58. ^ a b Dana Stevens (2009-11-05). "Precious: Sorry I Didn't Like This Movie". Slate.com. Retrieved 2009-11-18.
  59. ^ Cameron French (2009-09-21). ""Precious" wins top Toronto film festival prize". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  60. ^ Susan King (2009-12-01). "'Precious' and 'The Last Station' lead Independent Spirit Award nominations [Updated]". LATimes.com. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  61. ^ HFPA News (2009-12-15). "The 16th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations". GoldenGlobes.org. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  62. ^ Screen Actor Guild Awards (2009-12-17). "Nominations Announced For The 16th Annual Screen Actor Guild Awards". SAGAwards.com. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  63. ^ "Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2010 – Long List" (PDF). Static.BAFTA.org. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
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