Precious - Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

(USA, 2008, 109 minutes)

In 1987 Harlem, an illiterate, obese black teenager pregnant for the second time by her own father struggles with her life as a near slave to an abusive mother until she finds a teacher who believes in her. On paper an old-fashioned problem picture, on the screen a reckless, surprisingly sincere melodrama that hits all the genre beats in entirely unexpected (and not always successful) ways while avoiding its most predictable pitfalls.

An Elephant Eye Films release. A Lee Daniels Entertainment production in association with Smokewood Entertainment, presented by Lionsgate, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.
Starring Mo'nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz; and introducing Gabourey Sidibe as Precious.
Directed by Lee Daniels; produced by Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness, Gary Magness; screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher, based on the novel Push by Sapphire; music by Mario Grigorov; director of photography (Technicolor), Andrew Dunn; production designer, Roshelle Berliner; costume designer, Marina Draghici; film editor, Lee Klotz.