First of all let me throw out this disclaimer. I am not a movie buff. You will rarely hear me utter the phrase “I can’t
wait until (insert movie name) comes out Friday!” I’m usually late on seeing movies. However, I did see Precious not too long after it came out. I am part of a women’s group and some of the ladies decided they wanted to go after the meeting ended. At first I thought to myself “No way.” My plan had been to stay far, far away from that one because of its Tyler Perry affiliation. I vocalized that and I think I may have offended some people by my anti-Tyler sentiments. I mean I respect Tyler Perry as a person. I also think he has a big heart with the purest of intentions. But “Why Did I get Married” was the only T.P. production I’ve seen that I could appreciate. And if the Tyler Perry ties weren’t enough to keep me away; the negative reviews only reinforced my feelings. The critics called it stereotypical and depressing. They said all of the people who came to Precious’ aid, the “good people” were bi-racial. Then a friend of mine went to see it and didn’t have much good to say about it either. Hell no. I won’t go is what I chanted in my head as the ladies called the theater for show times. I had been ready to write what I thought about the movie but then of course I thought “Woman you can’t speak on it if you haven’t seen it” so I joined in rank and file with the crew.
So we arrive and the theater is packed. I mean packed to the point that we had to sit in the second row. I’m thinking “It just keeps getting better.” Well the movie begins with Precious’ wishes of having a light skinned boyfriend with real good hair and if you were taken aback or offended by that statement it becomes evident throughout the movie why she wished such a thing. In efforts to not give away the details I will simply say Precious lived a rough life. She was
abused by her father and her mother. She was poor and had two children while in high school. She was illiterate. She was overweight and she was dark-skinned. Her mother was on welfare and so was she. It was sad. There were scenes that made you mad. There were scenes that made you feel disgusted and there were scenes that made you want to cry.
It turns out that Precious’ saviors were all indeed biracial and I can’t defend that. I also cannot disagree with the critics that the movie focused on a dark side of the African-American community. I cannot disagree that we hear of such stories more often than not when it comes to Black people in the media. Welfare queens and teenage mothers; we’ve heard it all before right? Ok, yes we have but I must say Lee Daniels did an excellent job in telling this story. To my surprise it was very un-Tyler Perry like. The cinematography was good. It was creatively executed. It was more like art than I expected. It was a good movie regardless of the race of the main character. A lot of the critics were concerned about how Precious’ image would be received by white people. Can I deny the relevance of their feelings? I can’t because I totally understand. However, there were Black people upset with Chris Rock for making “Good Hair.” They said he aired our dirty laundry. His reply was something like he wishes he could make a movie where only Black people could go see it but he can’t. Precious artistically explores a dark issue in our community that actually occurs in all communities. Yet it’s nothing like the film B.A.P.S. or some other film that has no redemptive qualities. Yes, we already know about these issues Precious faced but it brought them to the forefront. It put them back in our faces. What I appreciated most was the way in which it was done.
I believe the critics would not have been so upset if Black women and Black people had more of a vast representation in the media. I understand them wanting more positive and varied characters. So what is a Black screen writer or director to do if he or she has a powerful story to tell that is not about an honor student? Here lies my comparison to W.E.B. Dubois’ Double Consciousness theory. I’m not being sarcastic. I’m very serious. If you know me then you know I am big on Black people being portrayed in a more varied perspective. But unfortunately we are put in a position of creating to please ourselves and others. If a white writer wanted to do a movie exposing prostitution, I doubt white people would be up in arms about it. Why not? They wouldn’t be upset because not many people would mistake it as a representation of ALL white women. Yet, African American artists are forced to climb a slippery slope with their creativity. For example, Common has referred to women as bitches in at least two songs I can think of. Yet his career spans almost two decades. The times he used the word were relevant to the story he was telling. Is he no different than Lil Wayne? Yes he is. He’s very different. However, if a person not well-versed in hip-hop heard those two songs they may not see the difference. This is no different than people that have not been exposed to African-Americans beyond the images they see of us in the media. So I think Precious the Movie kind of got stuck in a state of double consciousness. Lee Daniels directed a great film but it was about an uncomfortable topic. The accumulation of disgust with Black women being portrayed in a negative light may have made some people not appreciate the movie. Are the critics wrong? Are the people who see no problem with stereotypical Black characters right? Are white people laughing or pitying our overweight, fried chicken eating , poor parenting, Black selves? Should it even matter if they are? Who are we writing for? Who reaps the benefits and who pays the costs?
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I had many of the same feelings you expressed about the film before watching it. I was not enthused about going to see another “Madea production” that would probably leave me feeling sick afterwards with thoughts of Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled.” After watching the film, however, my reaction was one of great joy and self-reflection towards what I just saw. To me, Precious was a symbolic “Passion of the Christ” type of film to the African American community that challenges us to either resurrect or stay dead on the cross. That’s just my opinion though. The images were raw, in-your-face, but most of all honest. Often times, when I see films like this, the stories are either too overboard or too shallow. For me, Precious found that equilibrium that causes Us to take a hard look at Us. Regardless of what other ethnicites may “think” about the film, Precious proved to me to be an “altar call” to our community to either continue to wallow in self-pity or find the true hope that exists that can overcome all obstacles. As one can tell, I give the film 5 thumbs up!!
Precious was filmmaking at its finest. Artistic beyond measure. Subtle social and cultural commentary was conveyed through in your face plot twists and the harsh reality that Precious endured. If the director of this movie’s intention was for his audience to leave this film feeling disgusted, defeated, and scratching their heads, he succeeded. However, the energy emitted from this project observed from a cultural consciousness perspective was just too negative. I agree with Clever’s assertion that Precious was more of an observation of the human condition, rather than just a tool to further black equality. But to answer the poignant questions she asked at the end of her blog, “Who are we writing for? Who reaps the benefits and who pays the costs?” The answers are that we should never put a box around our artistic expression for the sake of caring what people say. It was Lee Daniels’ destiny to tell this all too common story in such a in your face fashion. The cost to benefits ratio can only be determined after the dust settles. However, the immediate cost are paid by all the Fat Black Real Life Preciouses out there who needed this story told. In my opinion, it didn’t give them much hope because of the tragic ending but it did give them a voice.
Interesting opinions I have yet to see the movie.
I have seen the movie, and by the fact that it is featured in selective theatres. First, the movie is firected by a balck man, and produced by blacks as well. You have big names that helped in this movie. That was a ” trigger” for me that this movie, was going to me a nominee that White America will not give an award too. Also, this type of movi can win an award hands down, but i woul be against what the movie inustry would call “qualified”.
When I saw the movie, just last week, I was one of those movie goers that participate in certain scenes, that makes you want to holler.
This movie was by far, the deepest you can get in what is currently happening now in family homes. As I was watching this movie, I know someone in the audience can realate. I say it is about time to bring domestic viloence, molestation, and verbal abuse to the screen, for I feel someone( in the audience) needs to open up.
It is always difficult to have a movie like this one, come to the movie screen, for people want to keep this on the hush. I always want troubles to be bought out, so that the individual can start to heal.
I can go on, about this movie, I will get the DVD, and I will let my kids see the other side of America, that stays hush.
To anyone that went through a piece of what Precious went through, please know that things can change if you speak on it. Be safe.
Thanks
I actually have the movie and Loved It . We discussed it 1st when i read it and now after seeing it my only comparison artistically is “the Color Purple” as a reader of course the book was a definite and it differs only in visual not the story or heart-rendering message of rural middle class black life at that time. The same way Precious represents a pocket of our community that DOES exist, however this story like “color purple” for those of average intelligence and a want of world knowledge can appreciate the poignancy of such a sad but beautifully told and portrayed story. Sometimes I believe its great to shake up the normal images if “Precious” had been portrayed as she wished with “light-skinned boyfriend” poppin gum and acting ignorant our people would complain too. Love YALL
Tierra, what you mean you HAVE the movie??????? The movie ain’t out on DVD. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh I am telling. Tierra Hustlestyle…that’s your new name.
@Sensai Ha ha…. ; )
I’ve been trying to see this movie ever since I saw the trailer but it’s not appropriate to bring my 4 year old to something so raw. Dirty laundry is dirty laundry. A friend of mine and I had a debate over “group thought” and how black Americans utilize group thought as a comforter when things are bad or when attacked, yet choose individual thought when things are good. So, dirty laundry is just that…something that could use a good cleaning, a tender breeze and a warm iron to make it clothing vs. laundry. Airing dirty laundry, although looked upon as a taboo no-no, can be liberating, progressive and transformative. Without getting out the dirt, washing it away, you’ve got something you don’t want to wear. And that kind of dirty laundry gets nobody no where. Loved the entry.
Saw the movie last week…was excited about seeing it. What a letdown. Hated the movie, PERIOD. If you haven’t seen it, don’t waste your money. Oprah and Tyler…what were you thinking?
My favorite part is when Precious was running down the street with a bucket of chicken
Haven’t seen it. I am boycotting it just as I boycotted Monster’s Ball. I, for one, am tired of the gross caricatures of black life. I am from the ‘hood. We grew up on welfare, section 8, foodstamps, govt. cheese, so I think I know a little something about being black and poor in America…
We need to stop repeating the myth that Precious is somehow representative of life in the hood. And we should be demanding better from the media…
Have we forgotten our history? Whether we like it or not, the media both shapes and reinforces societal and individual attitudes. There is tons of data and common sense to back that up. Rwanda is the most recent and most egregious example of how the media can incite the worst in human nature.
Paul Robeson sacrificed his physical health challenging media stereotypes. Esther Rolle and John Amos took on Spielberg over Good Times JJ (James Walker) coonery. Rosiland Cash comes to mind also.
I am sure Ms. Rolle and Ms. Cash and Mr. Robeson are looking down in disappointment as we voluntarily accept these vile portrayals of black life. kzs
NB: Perry and Oprah just put their names on the finished product. They had little or nothing to do with the actual production.
I appreciate all the comments and points of view expressed in response to this blog. I am not here to challenge anyone’s opinion as to why they did or did not like the movie. Nor am I challenging anyone’s stance that it told a dark story that’s been told plenty times on screen in various ways. I agree with that as I stated in the blog.
If you notice I said I was dead set against seeing this film. I only went so I could blog about it or should I say, blast it. However, I was surprised by the execution of the story. The cinematography was very well executed in my opinion. It was art.
What I am posing in my blog is the issue that had a white film director made this film about a poor, “unnatractive” overweight, uneducated white girl who was a teenage unwed mother and the victim of parental abuse, would people have noticed the artistic aspect of it more? (FYI it happens to them too)I am not denying that more positive stories need to be told. I started cleverspeaks.com to show that us everyday Blacks folks do extraordinary things and also that we live, thrive, love, learn, work etc., just as every other ethnicity in the world. But I think this movie gets a bad rep because of things like Frankie & Neffie, Flavor of Love and the many films that glorify violence, abuse and shucking and jiving in the African-American community.
I do think we need to demand more. But I also think Lee Daniels did a good job as a director but is getting a lot of criticism because of the story he chose to tell. Hence, the “Double Consciousness.” He is telling a story but also has to be scrutinized by our community because of what all of white America may think of it. Whereas white people just have free artistic reign. And yes that is because they are portrayed diversely on screen. We experience this all the time as Black people. We are Black but we also have to be cognizant of how we are perceived by white America.
It is my belief that the unfortunate fact that the less desirable stories are the ones most often told about the Black community has caused many people to overlook the artistic execution of this film. I see both sides in this case. Do you?
Good Job Clever. That’s right play both sides of the fence. The movie was great technically but so was D. W. Griffith’s Birth of A Nation. Negative propaganda’s is supposed to be “cleverly” cloaked in the armor of artistic expression because that way they can give you two teaspoons of sugar to make the medicine of psychological oppression go down.
And I know what your thinking Clever Poppins–Yes, I am Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
i admire the bravery of the film and i had to give tyler perry props on producing this film, monique just won a golden globe for her potrayal, which makes me ask another question? why do we always win awards for being so negative. word of mouth about this movie so far has been, it was toooo much. i will see it but its gonna be like when i seen passion of the christ, cuz as people black white or whatever we reject suffering b/c at teh movies we want to escape. so i have to brace myself before i see it and then never watch it again.
Clever,
I have yet to see this film myself. Part of my hesitation is that I am a therapist, and work with children and families within this context on a regular basis. It is often difficult for me to go into this kind of film (regardless the director or characters being portrayed) on a casual basis, as there are real stories and people that eccho in my mind. The story becomes quite real, and the emotional impact for me can be significant.
I would like to add some thoughts to the discussion (though this may be late). The current research on the rates of abuse among black and white families indicates that under like circumstances, black families are equally or less likely to be abusive towards their children than white families. I think this information is compelling because it speaks to the “double consciousness” theory you mention, and the lack of accurate representation we experience as a black community in film. Although we are statistically no more likely to be abusive, we have been portrayed as such. So, even though the story of Precious is as likley (or more) in a white family (in terms of unmet emotional needs, conflict, forms of abuse, etc), it has been made to appear the norm! The data would support black filmmakers to make a hundred “precious” movies a year, but the overwhelming systemic racism present in this society makes it difficult to produce even one. Fascinating. I think these films are necessary, and can be tools for change/action. We need to have “precious” films, we need “a princess and the frog” (albeit with some noted improvements), and we need to continue pointing out the inequities faced by our filmmakers. Thank you for your thoughts and writings!