"PRECIOUS" **5 Stars***

The soul stirring film "Precious" from Director Lee Daniels will shock you, leave you in tears and unexpectedly makes you laugh at times. Life is extremely hard for Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) an illiterate, overweight, harlem teenager who's severly abused by her mother and father and pregnant with her second child. Despite her cruel environment Precious hopes going to an alternative school will help her build a new life for her children. The intense scenes of abuse between Mo'Nique's character Mary (her mother) and Precious are like nothing I've ever seen on film before. You are stunned and riveted because it's so evil, cruel and so real. Director,Lee Daniels successfully takes the edge off the films' darkness, with dream sequences and some of the more humerous moments. Despite the drama "Precious" is inspiring! Mo'Nique and Gabourey Sidibe give unforgettable Oscar worthy performances.
Mo'Nique has the breakout performance in the film, playing Mary, the brutally abusive mother of Precious, with such raw authencity, pain and vulnerability, that her performance is jaw dropping.
Gabourey Sidbe's debut performance is amazing for someone who's never been in a movie or had any formal training.
It's definitely a must see film! Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Paula Patton and Sherry Shepherd round out the cast.
You will walk away from this movie with a deep appreciation for your own life and a new respect for just how hard life can be for others who are less fortunate.

Rating: "Precious" 5 STARS.