APA RESEARCH PAPER

Precious : Assessment

Precious: Assessment

Introduction

In the recent social environment, it has become vital for the survival of the human race that human values that are slowly being forgotten are rediscovered. The increasingly violent and abusive environment in which we live in is hardly safe for out future generation. The media coverage is one of the few aspects that aims to highlight different problems taking hold of society, and one such movie that made waves a few years ago was Precious. Based on the best selling book title “Push” by Sapphire, it is based on a very sensitive subject especially in the African American community, and when the movie came out first there were very mixed reviews about it. Some wondered whether it reflected badly on African Americans everywhere, depicting their culture in a much harsher light than necessary, while others applauded the film makers for highlighting the harsh realities of life with such ardor. In this paper, I will be assessing different facets of the movie and the way they were depicted in the movie as per the standards of film.

Discussion

Precious is a 16 year old obese, and illiterate girl residing in the New York ghetto Harlem. The movie begins with a clear representation of the area and all the stereotypes, whether false or true, depicted honestly. Precious is seen to have an extremely dysfunctional family, with an abusive mother and a father who has given Precious a history of sexual and physical abuse. The main lead is seen as innocent, naïve and more often than not in the wrong place at the wrong. Bullied at school and leading an extremely stressful domestic life through which she has already had an incestuous child, Precious is often scatterbrained at school and is shown to indulge in fantasies. These fantasies are one of the aspects of the movie which are the most moving and politically correct, as Precious imagines herself to be a young white girl, or often a celebrity in these times. Although the movie is based on such a harrowing subject, these thoughtful and naïve imaginings of the young girl are a clear window into what a lot of young black girls might be subject to, especially in failing public schools where bullying is ritualistic and anyone who doesn't conform to their peers idea of “fun” are ridiculed and abused further. In the movie, as Precious's second pregnancy from her abusive father is revealed, she is pulled out of school and sent to an alternative where she comes across an inspiring teacher, Blu Rain. Precious slowly learns to read and write with the help of said teacher and is put in touch with a gentle social worker, who further reinforces into Precious's mind the fact that she deserves a much better life and needs to leave behind her abusive background. When Precious gives birth to her second child, she meets a nursing assistant who shows further kindness to her. Through these people, Precious's sense of self-worth is gradually built ...