Close to a year ago, on a cold gray snowy evening, I walked out of the world’s very first showing of Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire (it was then called Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire) during my very first day at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Like so many others who have now seen this film, I was moved, devastated, uplifted, blown away; as I walked over to a shuttle bus stop, my mind was still reeling from the movie. Yet I think that if someone, right then and there, had told me that the picture I’d just seen would be talked about less than a year later as a hot contender for the Academy Awards, I might have looked at that person as if they’d lost their mind. Over the years, I have loved and championed too many Sundance films only to see them get released into the real world and go nowhere, and Precious, with its uncompromising drama of abuse and despair, certainly didn’t look or feel like an Oscar movie.
Yet as everyone knows by now, Precious is the powerfully bleak inner-city drama that may just end up getting to go to the ball. In a turn of events that surprised and thrilled me the moment it happened, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry signed on to be two of the film’s executive producers, taking this honest and artful little movie under their wing. The result of their devotion, along with a brilliant campaign by the film’s distributor, Lionsgate, has been that Precious, in six carefully planned weeks of release, has grossed $38 million — three times as much as The Hurt Locker, and even more than the crowd-pleasing romantic hit (500) Days of Summer. Even as it got beyond a handful of theaters, its per-screen averages were off the charts. Just today, the film was nominated for several Golden Globe awards, including Best Picture (Drama), Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. By any standard, Precious is a triumph of American independent cinema, an example of what can happen when talented people devote themselves to making something happen.
Yet the fairy tale, I’m afraid, has now run into something of a road block. Every successful movie, in its own way, waxes and then wanes with audiences, but over the last few weeks something startling has happened to Precious: After burning up the box office, it quite suddenly went cold. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, for instance (when it was still hot), it was on 664 screens, and it averaged a sizzling $10,680. (I don’t mean over the five-day holiday; I mean over the normal Friday-to-Sunday frame.) Then, just one week later, it was still on 664 screens, but suddenly the average was down to $3,437 — a virtual cliff drop of a plummet. One week later (which is to say, this past weekend), the movie was still on 664 screens, and the average had sunk to $1,929. In other words, within the space of three weeks, just as the awards season begins to get busy with actual awards, Precious has gone from being a breakout indie smash to a movie that looks as if it’s starting to squeeze out its last receipts.
I hope I’m wrong about that. But make no mistake: The vast majority of movies as successful as Precious do not — repeat, not – endure that kind of dramatic drop. So what I want to know is, why did this sudden commercial nose-dive happen? What I can’t help wondering is whether Precious did such extraordinary business by playing for about a month to a sizable African-American audience, only to end up stalling just at the moment when it was poised to expand to a wider demographic. Or is it that the movie, now that it’s attained such a high media profile, has suddenly been perceived as too much of a downer? Or have those two factors worked in tandem?
Here’s the thing: I don’t know. I honestly don’t. Because this is a movie that deserves, quite simply, to be seen, by every demographic under the sun, for its drama and truth and artistry and power.
But that’s why I want to find out what’s going on with Precious from all of you. Have you seen Precious yet? And do you plan to? And for those who haven’t seen it, what’s your perception of the movie? For those who have, do you think that it deserves to be seen by a much wider audience? And do you believe, in the end, that it will be?
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but maybe it’s not a movie people want to see more than once in a theater. Without expanding in three weeks no one outside major cities is getting their chance to see it for that one time. Maybe. The closest theater to me that’s showing it is two hours away.
This was my exact thought. I read the book and can say with absolute certainty that I wouldn’t want to see it a second time, and I haven’t seen it yet. If they don’t expand it, or at least show it in different places, how can they expect more people to see it?
I can’t stand to look at someone that morbidly obese. It’s just vomit-inducing!!!
Most of real life can be vomit-inducing …
really??? your problem with the movie is the girl is FAT? seriously??? wow, some people’s kids
It’s playing in primary art houses and in the black theatres, which don’t amount to much. However, with Lionsgate as the distributor, it should have at least expanded to 1000 theatres. Maybe now that it’s winning awards (Monique) and noms, it will expand; however, I don’t think the subject is one that areas outside of art houses want to see. Precious is up against the “feel good” movies. I would much rather go see Princes than Precious. I saw Precious and honestly, it was a step above a Lifetime movie. The actors lifted it above that level, the direction wasn’t great (what would Spike have done with it?) and the fantasies were too many. It was watchable, but when I left it didn’t pull at my heart strings and make me cry like the Blind Side did. I started crying 1/2 hour into the Blind Side. It had more heart.
You nailed it for me. The acting was great. And it made me mad that someone could be treated like that. But I don’t know why it didn’t make me cry more. I barely teared up and I usually cry buckets at the drop of a hat. I think maybe it made me numb. Her life was horrible. I get it. But it went on and on. Movies need to give a glimor of hope, but every time Precious made strides, something happened to knock her back down.
And I think the treatment of her first baby, Mongo, offended me, so I couldn’t like her after that.
Honestly I thought I was going to throw up about 30 minutes into this movie. I was so uncomfortable and teared up quite a few times. It was an amazingly unflinching film. The fantasies were the only thing keeping me from leaving the theatre, knowing that they would come at a point where I didn’t want to go any further.
@Del, Precious didn’t treat her baby cruelly. She in fact did her the favor of letting her grandmother raise her. Precious was not equipped to care for any child, let alone a child with special needs.
@ Sally, Spike Lee could not have touched this movie, because Spike hates women.
Why is it slowing down? I know about 10 people who went to 10 different screenings of the movie prior to the release date. Too many free previews to create “buzz” saturated the main audience.
Just goes to show you the critics have no clue what people really want to see. I saw Precious and The Blind Side on the same day, and I completely agree with your assessment. I wanted to walk out of the theatre 30 minutes in myself.
LOL…
IT DIDNT PULL AT UR HEART LIKE…. BLIND SIDE??
D MOTHER DIDNT ABUSE PRECIOUS??
IT WUZNT AS HEARTFELT AS BLINDSIDE??
@Jenene
I think that was part of my problem. The movie was unrelenting and unflinching to the point where I was numb. And, btw, to clarify, I didn’t say that Precious treated her first baby cruelly. I said didn’t like how the film treated the baby.
I haven’t seen Blindside… but most viewers want to see something that’s inspiring. Blindside may be sappy, but it’s inspirational. With Precious, everytime there was hope, she had yet another trial. At somepoint, the viewer just checks out emotionally.
Wow…then stay away from a movie called Stoic. Now THAT is an uncomfortable, intense, leave a pit in your stomach movie.
Sally! what are you talking about?!?! Precious is work of art and the blind side…… thats BELOW a lifetime movie
What’s a black theater, may I ask? I saw Precious in my neighborhood theater, whose residents are predominantly white. I can’t wait to hear your explanation.
Grammar, please!
Let me guess, you are white. The truth about Precious is its true. Your ignorance and lack of education is showing. There are many girls named Precious in this world. Unfortunately, many children are abused black and white but it seems that no one is interested in this type of dialogue. Precious was raw, truthful, well acted, funny, emotional, heartfelt and beautiful. Monique and the cast deserves every and any award out there. Although the movie was only in I think 11 or 13 theaters it did very well. I am proud to say I enjoyed the movie! Although I am upper middle class, black and have never gone through such experiences as in the movie.
Oh and to Dwight Schrute Monique is overweight and beautiful!
it amount to something about 38 million dollars can you beat that or are you jealous cause you did not get a part in the movie maybe next time good luck
The movie is over-rated twaddle. And there simply arent enough saps like yourself willing to sit through this PC dirge.
have you seen it?
Yeah, I don’t see how you could call it PC in any way. Unless of course you are a racist and think that any movie focusing on a black character is automatically PC…. Of course if this is true then you are just an idiot.
I think Lori longs for the carefree days of Blaxploitation, where low-income African-American life was hoppin’ and fun!
Um, I meant “PC” as in making excuses for morbid obesity.
No one in the movie was making excuses for morbid obesity. Clearly you didn’t see the film and now you are just running your mouth about nothing.
I read the book and watched the movie and it was heartbreaking. So much so that I would not go back and see it again. That is the problem with movies like this you don’t get repeat viewings. That’s why the numbers didn’t stay high. But it was a good film that deserved critical acclaim. Movies like this will never get the box office like Blind Side. No one wants to see how bad people can treat each other especially a tough topic like incest and child abuse.
That’s a nasty thing to say about obesity. Just how does someone else’s obesity hurt YOU? Say whatever you want; this is not an isolated problem as a majority of Americans have weight issues. Besides, that is not even the main focus of the movie.
LOL, Lori! You really have no idea what you are talking about, do you?
To be quite honest I think our society does too often make excuses for obesity. However, I don’t think this movie is an example. In the film (mild spoiler) Precious is forced to eat ridiculously gross, fatty meals by her mother in order to avoid being beaten. Yes she does cook herself unhealthy food and steal fried chicken – but I think that behavior has been ingrained in her by her mother.
Guys, don’t get excited. Lori is a frequent commenter, on a variety of sites – especially for Survivor. She says crazy things to get people upset. She’s best ignored.
@T
Good point!
Lori, I think you are simply (pwt)poor white trash. Its clear from your response you are not educated and poor.
I’d guess Lori is waiting with baited breath for the next Sex & The City movie, or wants to see more cute-white-kids-in-high-school twaddle.
She’s morbidly obese because her mother sees her as sexual competition and forces her to eat. Not because it’s her own motivation. And if you don’t have the depth to extrapolate that, then don’t post.
There was nothing redeeming about this awful movie and awful book. There is absolutely no reason to see it —as to the question of cross over you first have to cross a road the reason people on both sides of the road are not tuned into this movie is because it sucks period dot
I agree. I thought the movie was just okay. Nothing special. I don’t see people that loved it wanting to see it again. For a movie to have legs it has to have some repeat viewings.
Look at it this way, if OPRAH didn’t get behind it no one would have scene it. So it already has had trememdous success. Not to mention the nominations.
I’m actually surprised it has gotten this much attention. Its really not that great.
SPOILER ALERT!!
For those that have seen it. It had good acting, thats what carried the film. Ultimately I just couldnt by the fact that a Mom would treat her daughter like that after being molested by her father.
You must never read the papers or look at the news. There are plenty of mothers that treat their daughters just like that. It’s called the real world and it isn’t always pretty.
Heres a very simple answer. Those that want to see it, have. Those that dont, wont, regardless of how many good reviews it gets. I know I personally have no interest in seeing a movie about a morbidly obese inner city incest and abuse victim, just as I had no interest in seeing An American Carol last year. Obviously totally different movies, but some movies just arent going to interest people. Are people really so surprised by this?
Most abusers were abused themselves. Being abused doesn’t make someone less likely to abuse their own children. It makes them MORE likely to. It’s a vicious cycle that is almost impossible to stop.
Look pwt parents treat there children like this often. Why do you think people are in therapy. Why do you think there are murders, child molesters and serial killer (usually white). They are damaged people and who do you think damaged them? Their parents please pick up a book, better still go to college and get an education.
It happens every day when women have children they never wanted and spend their whole lives bitter and unsatisfied. I never went through the physical abuse that Precious had, but my mother, who looks and seems very normal, never failed to remind me that I ruined her life or that she “owned” me. The emotional abuse Precious suffered is a lot more common than you think. Why do you think there are so many movies about mothers and daughters? (White Oleander, Joy Luck Club, Ya Ya Sisterhood.)
Agree with you here. As fantastic of a movie I thought Million Dollar Baby was, I have only seen the movie once, in the theatre, and that’s it. The ending was too much for me. But Precious, I live in the NYC area so I plan to see it during the holidays.
If you thought million dollar baby was a good movie, please broaden your horizons. It was done before!
I have news for you Lovey: everything has been done before. It’s just a matter of filmmakers changing things just enough to make them their own.
A drop like that pretty much means one thing only: Bad word of mouth. That is people who saw it told people they wouldn’t recommend seeing it. It will probably gain some more support when it moves to DVD, but no amount of either critical acclaim or slagging will overcome word of mouth, positive or negative. So if it dropped, it’s because the people who did see told their friends to either wait for it on dvd or to not bother at all.
Highly unlikely – this movie has had nothing but good buzz/word of mouth. The fact that it depleted its audiences in those same 664 screens without expanding, added to all of the new wide releases are what did it in. Bad planning on the part of the studio and distributor.
I live in Phoenix and it’s only playing in a few theatres, all of which are not close to me. That’s the only reason I haven’t seen it yet.
I think I have to agree here…The huge influx of people who saw Precious when it first hit theaters were being driven by mass media buzz. Once they saw the film and were underwhelmed, word spread and viewership fell off a cliff.
Nuje I think you got it more or less right. Word of mouth really is the most powerful factor in determining the success of a movie (have we learned nothing from Paranormal Activity, people?!). But I have to disagree that there was bad word of mouth about Precious. I think many of the people who saw the movie in those first couple of words had good things to say. They said the acting was great, story was great, blahblah. But they also said that it was ridiculously overwhelming, even disturbing. I know a lot of people who’d pay $14 to sit in a dark room and see something great, but there are far and few who’d do the same to see something disturbing. Or maybe that’s just me.
I agree with Oddrey’s opinion. I saw the movie and thought it was a great movie. I told people it was a great movie. But I also told them that the movie was so disturbing that I refuse to see it again.
I’ve seen the movie and it’s a brilliant film with excellent acting, but the story is so depressing that I wouldn’t watch it twice. I’m like that with a lot of films. But it’s box office success should have nothing to do with it winning awards. Many amazing films don’t make a lot of money.
Um…am I the only one who thinks this movie is terrible? I would never go to the movies to see this film ever.
I saw it in Atlanta about a month ago, where my fellow cinemaphile friend & I were the only 2 non-African Americans in the theater. I thought it was a good film, though not brilliant, and I wouldn’t want to see it a second time in the theater, as it is the biggest downer of a movie you can imagine with no way out at the end. I also don’t think it can cross-over into less urban cinemaplexes not because it’s about people of a different race but more because it is relentlessly depressing and the average theater-goer seeking escapism will leave horrified & in a grim mood for days.
I saw the movie the first week it came out. I enjoyed the movie, I didn’t think it was so pitiful. I read the book years ago, and I grew to actually like the character Precious as we got to know her. Monique was very good as Mary, I mean she totally disappeared into the part. However, I do now people with terrible parents and who grew up like this….its the real world people.
I think many people are missing the scope of the story! The scope is not about inner city broken families or who the writer and director are or the size of an individual. The story’s focuse is child abuse, HIV/AIDS the lack of education of the abused and lack of resources and medical care for families in poverty. The film covers a variety of issues, however, if your shallow then it blows right over your head. The only thing you leave with is that someone is obese, it is about poor blacks, and or it was depressing. Are you serious people…..This was an awsome move..awsome acting and it leaves you with something to think about….It makes me wonder what becomes of the victims…..
Why is the decrease surprising? It got to a point where didn’t expand, and I’m assuming most people (like me) saw it as soon as they could. It’s too difficult to sit through more than once, and some people can’t stomach the subject matter to begin with.
The movie has still been successful financially, and Mo’Nique absolutely deserves to win awards for her performance (which is the most frightening character I’ve ever seen in a film). So “box office crash” seems to be stirring the pot unnecessarily.
AE, we had the same thought at the same time. How funny.
I agree with you both as well. I am glad I saw it, but am not surprised it is not a smash. It is a pretty big downer, and it is the holidays where people would rather see something a bit more uplifting.
Agree I don’t want to see it a second time. As opposed to the Blind Side, I would see again….and some of the other releases. However, it did make money. Made for $10Mil, it’s made $38Mil…so somebody made profit.
Another thing people have to remember — once the awards season is underway, Lionsgate may expand it to 1000 houses and put more money into promoting it. But they’re not going to put a boatload of money into promo’ing it.
I’m with you. I needed a glass of wine after watching that movie. I could of used the bottle during the film. It’s a good film, but one I’m acutally encouaging to see when it’s out on DVD. I could have used the pause button a couple of times. But The Blind Side I would consider a family movie and have encouraged others to go see it. I think that’s why The Blind Side is picking up viewers and Precious is on the decline.
The movie did the same thing the book did to me. Distrub me. After reading the book I couldn’t read another book for months. Thoughts of Precious and her mother kept coming back to me. The movie was the same. I had to watch comedy after comedy for weeks in order to even look at Mo’nique again. I do not want to see it again, just like Million Dollar Baby or The Hills Have Eyes (the 1st one). Gabby, Mo’nique, Paula and Mr. Lee Daniels have made a movie that will not leave us ever (once you have seen it). We will be talking about Precious for years to come.
People like feel good movies, or they like movies with big stars. It had a good run, what does the writer expect? It to be the next Forrest Gump? Besides, its depressing and has too many underlying bad messages.
Lori, I have to absolutly agree with this. Not only is it the wrong time of the year, it’s the wrong YEAR! Crime is on the rise, morality is down in the inner cities, and we’re in the worst financial crisis since the 1930s. People don’t WANT to be depressed even worse during the holiday season, when they’re depressed enough.
Life isn’t pretty, easy and entertaining and the writer and filmaker are just trying to show a viewpoint of what life is really like. I’m sure they would love to make a ton of money, but that is not the point of a film like this, it is to make you think!
And I agree that anyone who really wanted to see this movie, saw it right away!
Some people think that life is a bed of roses and don’t like to see it if it is’nt through rose colored glasses. Like all movies some will like it and some will not, if you don’t like it keep your money in your pocket. Attacking the star of the movie because of her size is stupid and the guy that says obese people makes him want to vomit, he says that because people can’t see what’s on him that makes us want to vomit!
I just can’t bring myself to see it. I go see movies that disturb me and most of the time I regret seeing them afterwards. From what I’ve heard this movie is hard to watch and will make you sick to see how Precious and her babies are being treated. I want to see it, but I just can’t do it
Mel, I’m with you. I’m very curious, but just don’t think I could handle seeing the grim abuse. Maybe I’ll rent it later, but for now I just can’t bring myself to go.
Yeah, I very much agree. I’m so interested in this movie but I don’t feel like I could sit through it. Like Another Amy, maybe I’ll wait til the DVD comes out.
Go see it!!! I was worried that it would be too intense for me, too. But it’s structured so just when it’s about to get too intense it switches gears so you don’t feel too overwhelmed. It’s really masterfully done to keep you from feeling too overwhelmed by the subject matter.
I agree. It’s made more than the other Oscar noms. Did anyone really expect this film to gross even 50 million?
I feel bad saying this, but I’m one of those people who doesn’t think she can stomach it to begin with. I understand that it’s an important message, and I hope that it does well, but I don’t think I can watch it in a theater. My plan is to rent it eventually so that I can pause it and come back to it if I need to.
I don’t get this. Critics love the movie. It’s done with the box office. It’s an indie film about inner city black people and abusive relationships…not someting everyone wants to see. I agree, more people should watch this film…but for what kind of movie it is, I think it’s doing just fine!
I meant to write it’s “done well in the box office”.
Also, I think this movie will turn out like Hotel Rwanda. I think a lot of people will end up renting the DVD or getting it off Netflix.
But, they need anti-depressants and trips to the psychologist after wards, because of its depressing nature.
Its also anger-inducing because you just wanna shake these dumb women and say “put down that pizza!”. Human beings arent designed to be 300 lb cows.
that’s all you got from it?
You are one of the most ignorant, crass, cretinous posters on these boards.
After watching that movie the only thing you came away with is the fact that both main characters are plus size! Not the fact that the mother’s insecurities, ignorance and atrocities destroyed two lives. Wow!
COWS??????????????????
R U F’N SERIOUS???????
… obviously you totally missed the point that Precious’ mom had been force feeding her food to the point that she thought it was how you were supposed to eat.
You are so clueless I don’t know why I respond to you…
Seriously, the biggest issue you took away from this movie was that Precious and her mom were fat?
You have got to be kidding me… right?
Its obviously not the “main thing” or what I got most from it, but I think obesity is a problem each person can do something about by themselves. Its called self control. Its called will power. In the past little while, every just keeps making excuses for women especially who weigh this much.
And I didnt say I hated the movie, I thought it was very powerful. The mother was a real piece of work. And yes, how she pushed food at FIRST was abusive but you get to a point where youre a grown up and have to take responsibility for yourself.
You made this ridiculous point a few comments ago. I think we get that you don’t like fat people. Now please just STFU.
Lori, YOU’RE the real piece of work, aren’t you, hon? The character of Precious was 16 years old, about to give birth to her second child, and for her entire life had endured unspeakable physical and sexual abuse. Yeah, AMAZING that she didn’t have the mental clarity to realize that she was using food as a coping mechanism and that all of her problems would just disappear if only she exercised some will power and put down that bucket of chicken.
Lori,
You are a horrible person and obviously do not realize anything about what morbidly obese people go through. I don’t know about the characters in this movie but for a lot of morbidly obese people- food is their drug of choice. It is like any other ADDICTION and it’s not as simple as saying have self control, you will always need food to sustain life, it’s not something you can go without and therefore harder to get control of. I am not morbidly obese but I am overweight, I have lost 30 pounds to get to a healthy weight and need to lose about 30 more pounds and it is a struggle. One you obviously have never had to deal with but you shouldn’t judge people when you don’t know what situation they are dealing with.
Lori – why exactly are you commenting on this post. You obviously havent’ seen the movie and only seem to be commenting in order to get a rise out of people. Please don’t bring down the level of intellectual conversation that is happening here.
Well, it is pile on Lori time… which you deserve for being an idiot, but to try to engage you on a human level-
The whole point of the movie is that Precious is not, in fact, ‘grown up.’ She is a repressed 16 year old who has has a million bad things happen to her.
I know you are trying to come back from your obviously stupid earlier point, but I still have to say that if your first thought is about how fat she is, and not how horrible that her father raped her and gave her AIDS… you obviously have a broken moral radar.
Well this comment shows us that bigotry extends beyond color to size. If Hollywood had made this movie, made Precious skinny, we’d be getting her merchandized in our McDonald’s Happy Meals.
Ah…there it is again. Your ignorance showing. How big is your rear, btw, since you clearly don’t step away from your pc since you’ve appearently nothing better to do than make jabs at the people in this film.
We get it Lori! You have an issue w/ overweight people. Now go away and go post somewhere else
Lori – Human Beings are also not designed to be idiots – So what is your excuse?
Well ya know, its almost Christmas and this isn’t exactly the feel good movie of the year. Maybe when award season starts it’ll boost up again.
People would rather watch cutesy movies like “The Blind Side” this time of year. It’s a shame but people are shallow, what can u do?
They don’t want to see a sad fat black girl getting yelled and hit at unless if they started cutting their wrists and such.
The Blind Side was excellent. I would much rather see that movie again than Precious.
First Blind Side is a true story. It is what it is.
After watching Precious I needed to take a shower. When you go to a movie you either want to be entertained (UP- Blind Side-Up in the Air) Precious is not entertaining.
To be educated (Ivictous, Queen Victoria). Precious is not educational. I can turn on my news every night and see Precious storys. I do not have to pay 10 dollars to watch something I see on the news.
The acting in Precious is good, however try and seperate this from a lifetime movie.
Plus, I do not get people saying it was uplifting. You are left with an awful mother. A girl with Aids and two kids.
I tell people stay away and watch on DVD.
Steve, I disagree. While I think that those are certainly two important functions of movies, there is definitely a place for movies like Precious: movies that make you think, sometimes about things you’d rather not think about. The fact is, as can be seen from many of the posts on the boards, that many people would rather not acknowledge that this kind of abuse occurs in contemporary society. This movie forces people to see what it does to people. That being said, that kind of movie isn’t going to have a huge box office draw, so I think it’s doing fine where it is.
I liked Precious a lot, for its writing and especially its acting, but it ultimately felt a bit too much like a film school project to me because of so many of Daniels’ directorial choices. That being said, whenever I mentioned offhand that I had seen Precious, about 50% of the time I got a response of shock or confusion. I was asked a couple times, “Are you kidding?” (Not to imply anything, but this response came exclusively from younger white women.) Maybe I’m making a big leap here, but I think this is a film that can only permeate the non-urban market so far. (I mean that literally; I don’t think suburban markets have any interest in seeing raw inner-city life, no matter how powerful it may be.)
What should be most telling is that it didn’t jump in theater count after a huge per-screen average. Rather, the theaters it was at (mostly in big cities) were the only theaters at which “Precious” was ever going to play.
BEST COMMENT ON THIS ENTIRE BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep, I agree that most of the initial audience was black…I bet if they re-release it after the holidays, after the Oscar noms, it might get more of a crossover appeal. Christmas is just not a good time for this film…ugh, watching makes you not even wanna have one Christmas cookie!
Girlfriend…you seriously need to lay off the comments about obesity on this board. It’s absolutely appalling that you are the most moved by the fact that Precious is overweight. When someone has been raped by her father, is a teen mother with two children, is abused by her own mother and is HIV-positive due to said rape, her last problem is being fat. Granted, being obese is unhealthy; but do you really think it is the thing that is most likely to kill this character? And lay off the judgmental high horse attitude of “It’s about willpower” etc. Some people are perfectly healthy, eat right, exercise, and still are not necessarily thin (not that Precious is, but that’s an ignorant attitude to have: any fat person is lazy and being overweight is completely due to their actions and not any sort of medical or physical reasons). Get over yourself.
Because they’re so fat, right? Not because it is violent or sad or hard to stomach, but because they’re morbidly obese.
Lori, I know that this wasn’t a true story, but if it was I just want to know do you have any feelings at all?
people, “lori” is what we internet nerds call a troll. he/she is a person who posts this sort of crap to get everyone up in arms and seriously upset. don’t give the moron what he/she wants… just ignore the idiot.
Thank you seras!!! I can’t believe it took so long for someone to call Lori out for what he/she/it is! IGNORE THE TROLL!
I don’t think you’re getting the ‘are you kidding’ comments because the movie is about a black girl, I think you’re getting those comments because a lot of people don’t understand the desire to see a movie of this nature. Please don’t turn this into a racial thing(I’m a white woman and yes, I saw the movie).
Honestly, I expected more from this film. I think it was initially overhyped that my expectations were high and I found myself a little let down. It was a difficult movie to watch, but I think they definitely could have delved further into the abuse to gain even more sympathy for Precious. I do hope Mo’nique wins for Best Supporting Actress. She was ubelievably good!
The early TV ads depicted the film as an intense drama, but the recent ads tend to be more upbeat in their promotion of the film, which could be causing some confusion. Personally, I really wanted to see it at first, but these recent ads have dampened my enthusiasm because they’ve made me wonder if the film is really as powerful as I thought it was. (Also, I wonder if people really want to see a searing depiction of child abuse during the holiday season.) Ultimately, though, I still want to see it.
I experienced the same thing. I thought all the hype that it was getting would leave me disappointed with the actual film in the end. But it really is very powerful.
I agree with the first two comments. It simply hasn’t expanded enough — it’s not come to my area and I’m dying to see it. I bought the book just to read it before seeing it. They can’t stay in 664 theaters and expect to do the business it was doing when it came out.
I agree. I really wanted to see it about 3-4 months ago. I live in a non-metro area so I expected to wait a month, six weeks tops, to get it in my area. It’s still not here and I’m tired of waiting for it! I’ve moved on and now can wait until the DVD.
I know that people will love to make this about race or something but I think maybe the move just isn’t resonating with its audience. I watched the movie and I didn’t like it. It left me cold. I’m okay with sad endings, with inner-city depictions, etc. The Wire is my favorite show and there are some familiar themes here. But the movie left me blank.
So I wasn’t compelled to go tell others to see it. I praised Mo’Nique but people can catch her performance on Youtube when it pops up there. Maybe there are more like me out there not giving it the same word of mouth buzz that made Slumdog, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine a success.
I agree with you, LB. I wasn’t blown away by “Precious”. Maybe it was all the hype I heard beforehand; I don’t know. The acting was great, but I expected more from the ending I guess. It didn’t have the effect that “Little Miss Sunshine” had on me, that’s for sure ( I love that little film!)
I agree completely. The end was crazy to me. everyone’s supposed to be uplifted by her having 2 kids and AIDS – in the 80′s no less. Get real. I live in Chicago and I saw it on limited release well before the holidays, but I never want to see it again. It was waaaay too hard to watch, especially now near Christmas.
Yeah, if it’s just in those same 664 theaters, it doesn’t get a new audience. The tail off makes sense. They need to open up the distribution. If it opens on 1,000 screens and no one goes to see it, then you can talk about box office disappointments.
You know.. I’m conflicted when it comes to this movie… I loved every performance, from Mo’Nique to Mariah and everyone in between (Paula Patton being my favorite).. but the movie made me roll my eyes from the opening credits!! I thought that what they put that young girl through was literally UNbelievable… Maybe more people are starting to look the movie from that aspect now, which would explain the cooling down of the Precious conversation…
Here’s the truth, America struggles with African American leads in anything. Just look at the noms for the globes today, besides this movie there are no black faces. Not even on cable are there shows with a black lead anymore. Hell my favorite show is mad men and the only black guy works in the elevator.
I don’t think that is an issue for a lot of people, but rather it’s the subject matter. Critics raves about Schlinder’s List, but I *stll* haven’t been able to work myself up to watch it (despite owning a copy). There are a lot of people that don’t view that subject matter suitable ‘entertainment’.
Throughout reading these posts I kept coming back to Schindlers List too. It was a very moving, raw movie and I never want to see it again. How well did that movie go over in theaters?
Gina – Schindler’s List did $96 million in domestic box office receipts in 1994 following its release in Dec 1993. Fair for the time given the subject matter. But it was a film I couldn’t bring myself to see in a theater…it took me several years to steel myself up to view it on video at home – and have done so only once. I want to see Precious…if we don’t support these smaller films when they get released then we shouldn’t moan when Transformers 7 clogs our cinemas for weeks and weeks and weeks.
E coop? Ur kinda missing the point of mad Men when you say that ‘the only black guy works in the elevator.’
What about Carla, who raises the Draper children?
No, it since it shows inner city issues. The Tyler Perry comedies with black leads do great at BO.
Also, don’t compare MM with movies set in present time.
Oh Please. Don’t turn this into something it isn’t. On second thought, you’re probably right. Look at the string of flops Will Smith and Denzel Washington have had.
I think ecoop has a point, but I think to take it a step further, let’s really be honest that you just don’t see any leads – African American or otherwise who are that heavy and that unattractive by American standards, with the exceptions of movies meant to use that appearance as parody – like The Madea movies, Big Momma’s House, Norbit, etc. I think it’s hard for middle America to absorb a morbidly obese, very dark skinned woman as the lead in anything, add to that a story of horrific abuse and you have a very hard sell. I think it shows that things may be changing by the fact this project was ever greenlit, much less able to find distribution – but it’s still a difficult mainstream sell. I saw the movie downtown in a large city and the audience was more mixed than I expected – which is great.
Oh and Mad Men. The black characters are so perfectly appropriate for the day. And I have no doubts we will see them evolve as the Civil Rights Movement develops. Go back and watch the pilot episode (they’re on demand) and you get the transition and evolution that’s happened with black characters and civil rights in the brief time period that’s passed since the show began. I love that show!
I won’t see it. It is too disgusting to see.
And you’re probably right- most of the black community probably saw the movie and no one else.
Its sad that you are so close minded.
Wow, don’t hold back
Have not seen it and do not plan on seeing it. That kind of a movie (totally depressing) is not what I go to the movies to see.
Meh I first heard about this movie and I immediatley thought of those Lifetime movies I can watch for free…why would I want to go to the theater to see this?
I also agree that this mvoie is completely unbelievable, it is billed as based on a true story but I find it hard to believe it and the Oprah stamp doesn’t help at all (Million Little Pieces anyone?)
Dear friend,
I work in the inner city with children and I can count the number of students I have that have startlingly similar stories. Your comments are the exact reason that more people should see this movie. We turn a purposeful blind eye to things that are “too disgusting to see” or “completely unbelievable”. These poor children deserve to be heard and understood.
I hoped that the “white” demographic would at least be brave enough to sit through this rather than waste their time with other things like Saw XXI… but sadly, I was disappointed.
Not to diminish anything you said, but I have no interest in seeing such depressing material with my entertainment dollar. (And that said, I’m no fan of brainless comedy or horror either). Most people don’t need more reasons to dispair for humanity.
Comparing this movie to a Lifetime made-for-TV movie is absolutely ridiculous. Those movies all have the same predictable plot and terrible acting. They might as well be soap operas. As for the notion that only a black audience would see this movie: I live in Mpls and went to a “ghetto” theater to see it…the crowd was mostly white people. Just because the movie depicts a black family does not mean the subject matter only affects black people. Open your eyes. As far as Oprah goes, why don’t people trust her? Because of Million Little Pieces? The book may not have been entirely true, but that doesn’t mean people haven’t experienced those problems and that doesn’t mean the book didn’t help people. Precious isn’t uplifting, but it’s powerful nonetheless.
MeMe… I am white and saw the movie.
Maybe you need to look inward at your own assumptions of people before talking from now on.
The showing I went to was filled with a predominently white audience, myself included.
Also, busive upbringings are not restricted to black homes. It should be story of abuse and hope that appeals across the board. But, sadly, I just got numb as one trial after another was heaped upon Precious. No matter how real the tale, you have to get people to watch it in order to move them to feeling and action. By removing hope, you remove the motivation to see the movie.
I agree with you 100%. I think if more people read the book, they’d have a larger appreciation for the film. This happens everyday and is UN-believable. It is understandable that people shudder at the thought of so much adversity against one individual. This is precisely the reason the movie is a must-see. People have to stop turning their heads to the injustices of the world.
MeMe, why were you hoping for a “white demographic”? Because it IS a white problem or it’s NOT a white problem? Please choose your answer.
As a denizen of the inner-city for 30+ years, I can tell you that Precious is a real,live person (many times over). My father is a social worker and my mom a physician’s assistant in an inner city hospital (both retired). I did a mentorship with inner-city highschool kids in college, so I know that not only is Precious real, but so are her trifling parents.
i would love to see it, but it isnt playing where i live.
Exactly. It’s not playing anywhere near me, so it looks like DVD is my only option. Again.
It’s not playing where I live either, and I know a bunch of people besides myself that want to see it.