Review: Precious Is Everything Oprah Says It Is

Oscar talk about the tough-to-watch Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is right on, especially about Mo'Nique

Review in a Hurry: How about this for a night at the movies: Emotional and physical abuse, incest, and a role that will forever taint the usually jolly image of comedienne Mo'Nique. Precious is an exhausting but worthwhile ride, a movie that shines a light on the dark side of humanity and the opportunity to rise above it.

The Bigger Picture: "Oscar" this, "Oprah" that. Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire has had industry tongues a-wagging for months now, and a backlash would seem inevitable. Well, place your bets now on Mo'Nique for Best Actress—and director Lee Daniels, and maybe even newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as Precious. Even Mariah Carey—remember Glitter?—does justice to her part as a welfare caseworker.

Based on a novel by an inner-city teacher, the despair in Precious is enough to traumatize the average moviegoer. Teenaged Precious lives with her abusive mother, who is unrelentingly jealous of the fact that her boyfriend—also Precious' father—rapes her, resulting in two pregnancies. A concerned principal refers Precious to an "alternative school," where the girl tentatively attempts to change the course of her life. Many, many obstacles lie in her way at every turn, but spots of humor and compassion guide her journey.

With this kind of intense subject matter, just enough is needed to get the point across—just enough handheld camera, just enough symbolically composed shots, just enough diarist voice-over. A little artistic flourish is required by the director—and it needs to be done just right. Daniels' hand is sure and careful.

And then there's Mo'Nique. She gives a lacerating performance as one of the vilest characters in recent cinema. She's a lock for sure come Oscar time, and let's not forget her costars. Sidibe gives a pure performance as the inimitable Precious, and Paula Patton, long a patient supporting player to bigger names, comes into her own as Ms. Rain, a tough but tender teacher at Precious' new school.

The 180—a Second Opinion: The movie hits an ebb in the later scenes that may tax the patience of an audience dragged through the emotional mud of a very intense film. It ends just when it should, but the road there may be a little too bumpy for some.