Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe stars in the new film "Precious." She is shown on October 14, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

By Sergio Cabaruvias
Daily Titan News Editor

Having seen the powerfully dramatic previews of Precious, I expected Lee Daniels’ screen adaptation of Sapphire’s novel, Push, to be so emotionally ‘moving’ I’d finish the movie in a different seat. But instead, I found myself idling in the same seat until the jarring closing scene where Mo’Nique gives an unbelievable performance, the one the audience had been waiting for.

Movie promoters have had interesting schemes in past years, but trying to get people into theaters by previewing the climax and resolution of a film leads the audience with false expectations. Despite her brilliant performance, I was disappointed by Mo’Nique’s relatively temperate character in her few short scenes of the movie. Because of the previews, I expected her to dominate the film. Also, Mariah Carey’s unexpectedly good portrayal as a social worker was only given a few short scenes in the second half of the film. Yet, it was those two characters who received most of the preview coverage. Precious is a very good movie, but it would be more enjoyable if viewers weren’t enticed into seeing it by what is essentially false advertising.

The account of 16-year-old Claireece Precious Jones still makes for a fresh story. The story of a girl who is pregnant with her father’s second child and suffers the abusive hand and mouth of her mother makes for a film that leaves viewers in sick awe of life. Supported by an extremely talented cast that includes both well-known faces and lesser-known actors (Paula Patton as Precious’ teacher and mentor, Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe as Precious), the movie conveys honesty in a film with so much depth it almost sinks into reality, especially in the hands of a capable director like Daniels.