Precious, a harrowing tale from New York City

Lee Daniels's second film, Precious, has rightly won acclaim for its star, Gabourey Sidibe, for her extraordinary portrayal of an obese and sexually abused teenager living on the breadline in New York.
 
Sidibe, a newcomer to acting, has turned in a stunning performance as the hulking and sullen, 330lb, 16-year-old Precious. In real life she is a decade older, outgoing and witty, which is a frequent revelation to her interviewers.
 
Yet the film, based on the novel Push by Sapphire, is also notable for three other performances.
 
The American comedian Mo'Nique has already won a best supporting actress Golden Globe for her unnerving performance as Precious's violent mother Mary. In addition to the physical abuse Mary dishes out on her daughter, she also turns a blind eye to the years of sexual abuse Precious has suffered from her own father.
 
Precious already has a young daughter by her father when he rapes and impregnates her a second time. But Mary is angry not at the man but the teenager for "stealing" him.
 
Then there's the pop diva Mariah Carey playing Mrs Weiss, Precious's tough New York social worker, and the little-known actress Paula Patton as the girl's teacher, Blu Rain.
 
The two women turn out to be Precious's salvation. When she becomes pregnant a second time, Precious is transferred to an alternative learning programme. There she meets Rain who encourages her to write about her life. Meanwhile Mariah Carey's social worker pushes Precious to succeed.
 
Precious may sound like a harrowing tale on paper, but it is also by turns irreverent and engaging. By going easy on the well-meaning sentiment, Daniels has created a portrait of a girl that is shocking and startling, yet also empathetic and unforgettable.  
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:Peter Bradshaw, the Guardian: "It isn't the transcendent masterpiece that some admirers would have you believe: more like a black comic nightmare that isn't exactly ­supposed to be funny. It's certainly arresting, though." (Verdict: 3/5 stars)

Leo Robson, the Financial Times: "The film could be described as wish-fulfilment fantasy, but it portrays the hard-earned fulfilment of a modest wish. Precious is guided to a more generous but still earthbound valuation of her abilities and potential. She may not be eating pigs' feet any more, but she won't be a pop star either."(Verdict: 4/5 stars)

Betsy Sharkey, the Los Angeles Times: "There was a risk in keeping Precious raw and unvarnished, in going in close on so many ugly truths, but it was worth it for the powerful social drama that emerged. For some there will be the worry that those truths are too difficult to see. They are not. Yes there is darkness, but there is also light."

John Anderson, Variety: "Among the many delightful surprises in the film is Mariah Carey, who is pitch-perfect as a welfare counselor and serves as this demi-tragedy's Greek chorus. It's possible that many viewers won't recognise her until the final credits, but like so many things about Precious, the performance is disarming."
 
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times: "The film is a tribute to Sidibe's ability to engage our empathy. Her work is still another demonstration of the mystery of some actors, who evoke feelings in ways beyond words and techniques. She so completely creates the Precious character that you rather wonder if she's very much like her." ·