The moving New York City drama Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire won the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival this afternoon, becoming the only film ever to win the audience prizes at both Sundance and Toronto. (Unlike other festivals, Toronto doesn’t give out a juried Best Film award; last year’s audience winner was eventual Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire.) Precious, directed by Lee Daniels and exec produced by Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, is well on its way to becoming one of next year’s 10 Best Picture nominees, while its stars Gabourey Sidibe and Mo’Nique are strong contenders in the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories, respectively. Lionsgate will release Precious on Nov. 6.
Watch me and Missy Schwartz talk about the film in our Toronto preview. Plus, check out my OscarWatch interviews with Matt Damon, Colin Firth, and Abbie Cornish. And follow me on Twitter (@davekarger) for instant Oscar updates.
The subject matter is a little too deep for me; but I’m compelled to see it when it comes out.
I can’t wait to see this!
Saw this movie at the TIFF and it did NOT live up to my expectations. By no stretch is this a bad movie, I concede that it’s even above average (especially compared to all of this big-budget action garbage). But, this raw portrayal of the inner-city life of a teen mother in Harlem circa 1986 (or so) just didn’t change my life. The story is very moving and the acting is truly incredible (props to Gabby and Mo’Nique in particular). Nevertheless, it didn’t live up to all of the hype. I felt the same way about Brokeback Mountain though.
I felt the same about Slumdog Millionaire.
Second that “Slumdog” sentiment. 100%. Crazy excited for “Precious,” but mainly because this is the kind of film that really gets me. Can’t wait for the NYC release.
You didn’t think Slumdog was a great movie? Wow! You need to see it again. It was very moving. To see the transformation of the lead character(s). And to see the treatment of poor Muslim Indian children was heartbreaking. I couldn’t watch some scenes.
I’m sorry to see some didn’t think Precious was all that good….but I saw the trailer and I was crying on the trailer.
people always bash on Slumdog Millionaire, but in a way it’s not to blame I thought 2008 was a weak year for the typical Oscar Contenders. I mean, would you REALLY have wanted to see “The Reader” or “Frost/Nixon” win instead?
I loved The Reader! Thanks for mentioning it. Now I want to see it again.
I have to somewhat disagree with you Stella. I felt there were some strong movies in 2008 that were typical Oscar contenders (I enjoyed The Reader; as for Frost/Nixon…meh, it should have been an HBO movie), and one film in particular that was unfortunately left out of the Best Picture nominees – Revolutionary Road. In my opinion, it was the best movie of 2008 and not only should it have been nominated, it should have won too. So I don’t necessarily think 2008 was a weak year.
Slumdog was a good movie and it deserved a nomination, but in no way was it the best movie of 2008.
One thing that helped Slumdog, which I saw twice and can see over and over again, is the backstory. Here’s a movie made by a major director and it’s on the way to the DVD shelf. On a shoe string budget, with no-name actors. Boyle did brilliantly with the children and the unknowns. It’s saved and entered into film fests and rises above all the other “Oscar-buzz” movies.
I love those type of back stories.
Can’t wait to see Precious. Seeing it at the NYFF in a couple of weeks. I hope it’s not in the same veins as Monster’s Ball–a film that was just so morbidly depressing and horrific that there wasn’t any ounce of hope left at the end of the film. But I have high expectations for Precious!
LOL! I know how you feel, but if Precious is anything like the book, there’s definitely some hope in it.
Whaaaat? Monster’s Ball did have hope. Those two people got a fresh start, albeit by super tragic means, but what’s more uplifting than a second shot?
I’ll never see that film knowing that Magilla Winfrey is backing it!
Well Oprah and TP came in after the fact. They had already seen the movie and had nothing to do with its production or creation.
Barry,
Why don’t you just keep it real. You won’t see any movie that is backed by a Black person.
Barry — let me guess? You’re a white male?
That is one of the meanest things I have ever heard. Why not use your powers for good instead?
Can’t wait to see “A Single Man” and “Precious” … disagree with dave about “Revolutionary Road” – too self-indulgent and in the end, I didn’t care what happened to the characters … oh well, to each his own.
I have no interest in this movie. Watching a movie about an obese child doesn’t seem interesting to me. Can’t wait for The Road though. That movie looks heavy and seems like a great performance from Viggo.
GREAT MOVIE. Simple as that. Who cares if you like Oprah or not? It has nothing to do with her – she and Perry have the cash to get this out there for wide distribution. You say the storyline doesn’t appeal to you? All the more reason to see it! Movies should open us up to places, people, situations outside of our own existence. Outside our own comfort zone. Precious does that. SEE IT.
Mariah Carey for Best Supporting Actress!!! whodathunk?!?
I am excited to see this. I have a feeling the Oscars are actually going to be interesting this time around and hope all of the hype surounding Monique and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe results in Oscar gold for at least one of them. As far as the Slumdog debate goes, I did not like the movie in the beginning but found myself becoming more engrossed in the story as the film progressed. It did deserve its accolades, although Revolutionary Road was robbed in several categories. That’s the movie Kate Winslet should have won for.
Can’t wait to see Precious.
I think Frozen River should have been a 2008 Oscar Contender – great movie.