Initially I was going to go see the movie Precious about the troubled times and dreams of a young lady out of curiosity and because two of the characters Mo’Nique and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe being curvy may be of interest to you the readers of Full Figure Plus.
After reading the review of the movie in the NY press I am left conflicted in my thoughts on a film I have not even seen it yet. I have no way of verifying Oprah and Tyler Perry’s involvement but rumors are floating about they used their name and money and little more but they are behind most of the promotional efforts. Then there is the controversy surrounding Mo’Nique only wanting money and not being concerned about the validity of the message. Next a few reviews bring up the “light-skinned black good, dark-skinned black bad” debate which has been a sore spot in the black community for decades. All which make my eye twitch.
What does any of this have to do with the actual message of the movie and the point people are missing in which a film turned in stellar performances from two non-white plus size actresses? Absolutely nothing! The issue most of the reviews including the NY Press bring up is the quality of black film and the cycle of films to try and evoke sympathy from the problems within the black community.
In some cases I feel that the criticism of the movie is justified. If negative aspects are being repackaged and marketed as the raw truth then shame on everyone including Oprah and Tyler Perry for manipulating their audience in such a way. If the movie is making an attempt to reveal aspects of the black experience traditionally swept under the rug in an honest way then the criticism is unwarranted.
At this point count me as one of the individuals who has not read the book the movie was based on and as of this moment has not seen the movie. I plan to watch the movie with the same level of non-expectation I view most films with and draw whatever conclusion. My plans are to give ‘Precious’ the same level of scrutiny I gave when I wrote the review Dreamgirls Performance Killed By Norbit in which I absolutely do not think films like Norbit, Meet Dave, and Little Man were better films than Akeelah and the Bee, Biker Boys, and Kingdom Come. In fact the fore mentioned films do more to harm the perception of the black experience, but that is an other show.
I would love to hear from those that agree that Precious is not what it appears to be on the surface and that Oprah and Tyler Perry are in it for reasons that are not all that altruistic.
Glenn, good write up. I plan to see the movie myself this weekend. I don’t let the hype and the public make up my mind! Enjoy!
Hi Glen! I really enjoy your blog and this post doesn’t disappoint. I didn’t plan to see Precious for other reasons. I wasn’t really aware of the other controversies until I read this post.
My problem with Precious is that it seems that whenever black people want to have an uplifting type of movie, they have to overly dramatize the bad circumstances from which the main character arises. It’s like the writers sit in a room and say, “Gimme your worst!” One of the writers says, “She is a crack addict.” “Great start. What else?” “Crack addicted teen prostitute,” someone else yells out. “Oh yeah, now we’re cooking.” “A crack addicted teen prostitute who was abused when she was 5.” “Great, but let’s take her lower.” “Illiterate crack addicted teen prostitute who was once abused and is pregnant and homeless.” They just keep adding and adding and adding to the badness of her predicament. I am so tired of these type of movies. Why can’t we just have a normal amount of drama? Why do we go too far? Is there a bigger issue here? Or maybe it’s me… Thanks for letting me rant.
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Thanks for the kudos and I am with you on black dramas taking it to far and when those of use speak out about it we are labeled as not being supportive of our own. Its a mess I tell you.
Exactly! I’ve heard so many people say that they are going with like truckloads of their girlfriends to see the movie. When I say that I am not supporting it and tell them why, you would think that I said something bad about their mother.
I just want to see movies where we are portrayed as normal, where everything is not so overly dramatized. People forget that these movies, shows, and videos represent US to the WORLD!! This is the example that we want others in Africa, Europe, Asia, etc., to think of us as a people? No! These are NOT my circumstances. These things only represent a part of the group. That is why I am SOOOOO happy that the world sees a beautiful, stable, and positive black family in the Obamas.
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I saw the movie and was in complete ahhhh. I have never seen such vulgar, negative misrepresentations of our culture ever. It was too raw and not for the general public, if for anyone at all. Shame on all involved and good for those who have no intentions on seeing it.
Child abuse occurs in all ethnic groups, regardless of economic status. However, those who see this movie as a negative portrayal of blacks have valid points.
The problem I have with this movie is that it’s another Color Purple which, at that time, was derided for portraying black men in a negative light. This is something that Hollywood and the Media has unfortunately done to blacks, for as long as I can remember (and I’m close to being a senior citizen). It’s the image that is disseminated throughout the world. And if anyone thinks it doesn’t paint blacks in a negative light, they are DREAMING.
I will not see Precious. However, I do spend my spare time working to help brothers and sisters in need. TALK is cheap. When we all ACT, in love, to help one another, it will make a difference.