Precious is a film that penetrates deeply and takes you on a gripping emotional roller-coaster ride.

It's the story of Claireece Jones, nicknamed Precious by her mother. Set in Harlem, it's the story of Precious - a black, overweight, abused girl who is repeatedly sexually abused by her father, and mentally and physically abused by her mother, Mary. She has a Down syndrome child fathered by her father and is pregnant to him again when we meet her in the film.

She escapes the horror of her daily hell by escaping into an imaginary place where she is a more voluptuous Beyonce-type, with a fair-skinned man loving her and being adored and loved by the masses.

Precious will make you cry, cringe, be sickened to the stomach at the horror of her day to day existence. But, before you decide why the hell would you want to see this movie, it will also make you believe in the strength of the human spirit and the ability for anyone to achieve anything.

Precious finds a svengali in her English teacher who encourages her, against her welfare-dependent mother's wishes, to attend a special school for troubled girls. There, for the first time in her life, she is valued, listened to and made to feel like someone.

Enter also a kindly social worked played by a much dressed down and almost unrecognisable Mariah Carey, who is sensational in this role. The most poignant film moment comes when Mariah's social worker character confronts Mary about the abuse. Mary's ugly and unforgivable truth is revealed. It is a turning point for Precious.

Precious is a girl who has zero self esteem. There is no-one and nothing in her life to make her believe that she is worth anything. This is not a story of her going from a bad family situation to success. It is a story about a girl who found some semblance of self esteem in herself to allow her to believe that she was worthy of existing in this world.

Newcomer, Gabourey Sidibe, an unknown who has never acted before, puts in a compelling performance.

The film has caused much debate about presenting a one dimensional view of a black family. But, in my opinion, Precious is the story of a lot of girls who have had their self esteem shattered, for whatever reason. This is an extreme take on having your self esteem crushed but it certainly demonstrates that no matter how bad you think it gets, you can move on, you can find a new you that sees the good in yourself and your life.

This is the most compelling, moving, thought-provoking film I have ever seen. You have to see it. You and your boos will be discussing it and analysing it for days to come.
BB rating: 5/5