Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

In 1987 Harlem, sixteen-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones is pregnant with a second child by her absent father and lives with a mother who abuses her both physically and emotionally. Despite reaching the ninth grade with decent marks, she cannot read or write, and her school has little idea what to do with her. When she is offered a place at an alternative school, she takes it, and her teacher, Ms. Rain, becomes the first adult to treat her with real respect. Holding on to her baby and defying her mother's opposition, Precious begins the difficult work of learning to speak, write and make her own choices.

The film is Lee Daniels's second outing as director, following Shadowboxer in 2005 and preceding The Paperboy, The Butler, The United States vs. Billie Holiday and The Deliverance. Geoffrey Fletcher wrote the screenplay, and Daniels produced with Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness. Gabourey Sidibe plays Precious, with Mo'Nique as her mother Mary, Paula Patton as Ms. Rain, and Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd and Lenny Kravitz in supporting roles among a credited cast of 48.

Made for about 10 million dollars, the film took roughly 64 million dollars worldwide, a strong return on its budget. On IMDb it holds 7.3 out of 10 from 121,000 votes, and on TMDB 7.3 out of 10 from 1,823 votes, while critics were markedly more enthusiastic, giving it 8.1 out of 10 across 239 reviews.