i first heard about precious, the screen adaptation of author sapphire’s push, several months ago when overhearing a conversation between my mother and sister about the oscar buzz actress/comedienne mo’nique has received for her performance in the film.
since then, i (and every other african-american with a monitor and modem) have been inundated with myriad forms of precious propaganda. apparently, not only is precious a searing indictment on slavery, poverty, racism, education, america, politics, prison, the newspaper industry, kool-aid, the black woman in the popeye’s commercials, diddy, and diddy’s teeth, i actually am precious (who knew?)
yet, despite its critical acclaim and the fact that the movie addresses a few of my favorite talking points, i replied “nah. not at all“ when a friend asked last week if i planned to see it.
here’s why
1. between ordering each season of the wire on netflix last winter so my girlfriend could catch up, brick city, cnn’s black in america 2, good hair, american violet, and derrion albert, i’ve already filled my yearly, “who cares if obama is president. we (black people) are still f*cked.” viewing limit.
because of this, watching any more black poverty p*rn this year will force me to dip into the yearly quota i’ve already set for 2010
2. the whole “white, or much lighter skinned people save undesirable darkies from themselves” movie motif became tired to me by the second half of dangerous minds. that was 14 years ago
basically, i’m not going to spend my money to support tyler perry’s odd obsession with casting colorism, even if said colorism results in a lesbian paula patton
3. liberal white people seem to like it a bit too much
this, btw, is the same reason i can’t really mess with trader joes, american apparel, or lupe fiasco
4. “poor black women abused” just isn’t entertaining to me
you know, a part of me feels like a hypocrite for watching (and enjoying) season 4 of the wire or a movie like antwone fisher, which both deal with many of the same issues (poverty, sexual abuse, neglect) turning me away from precious.
thing is, while that type of content is always tough to watch, it is, for lack of a better term, easier for me to view if the main party being abused isn’t a black woman. for whatever reason, black women getting abused on screen completely disintegrates the fourth wall and makes me feel like i’m watching a snuff film starring my nieces.
anyway, that’s enough about me. people of vsb.com, how do you feel about the precious phenomenon?
have any of you seen or plan on seeing it? if not, why?
also, do you think am i being too harsh with my assessment (especially since i haven’t seen it), and am i the only one who finds it harder to stomach a movie when black women are getting abused?
—the champ
i’ve heard good things, as depressing as the book is supposed to be. i’m pretty much in it for a good story. i like tyler perry, i’m wanting to see if mariah ‘s performance is as good as they say and i want to support black literiture since i tend to shy away from it on the regular (another conversation for another time, ya’ll).
@cam1ll3,
i want to support black literiture since i tend to shy away from it on the regular (another conversation for another time, ya’ll).
lol, this is the perfect time and sh*t. what the hell are you waiting for, brunch?
@The Champ,
Yeah, good work is nice, but I need my sanity more. Watching black pathology on the big screen doesn’t appeal to me that much anymore. Over saturation is a mother.
@The Champ,
i wasn’t trying to rile folk up whilst we debate the affirmative and negative reasons for viewing the flick. but since ya asked…
i shy away from black lit because a great deal of it isn’t well written. well written african american fiction for me is alice walker, dianne mckinney whetstone, terry macmillan…these sound very mainstream, i know, but these ladies WRITE. they develop a story and see it thru. i can get lost in the book and by the time it ends i’m having to wipe drool from the corners of my mouth because i want more–that’s not to say the story is lacking, but that i never wanted it to end. some of the black fiction i’ve read aside from those i listed above are some straight bullshiggedy. i get halfway thru or complete the book and am angry because i’ll never be able to regain the 8 hours/2 days/3 months it took me to wade thru that half-ass-written-sack-of-juvenile-cornpoo. zane has broken my heart twice. if anyone can recommend anything, please feel free.
all of that to say, a friend suggested “push” and i was like “ehhhhhhhhhhhh, i dunno about that…” but folk swear by it and i want to support if it’s that good. that’s all.
@cam1ll3,
Octavia Butler (I truly believe she is a genius)
Saw it, then went home and hugged my mother and thanked her for
being normalloving me. I would recommend it, but I don’t plan on seeing it again. Just like The Color Purple – I don’t need to watch that sad/horrifying ish happening to the black woman again, either@Selah,
Better not let BBM or Luvvie hear you talkin’ bout Color Purple that way!
@RedBeanzNRice on a Diet,
Don’t trip, I’m not bashing TCP… just saying I don’t need to sit and watch it over and over again to get the message lol. Trust, all my friends can quote that bad boy anyway so it’s just LIKE watching it.lol
@Selah,
yeah. reason number 4 is why it took bedroom extortion for me to finally break down and watch the color purple 3 years ago
@The Champ,
I guess that’s what it’s gonna take for me to see the Color Purple too. I have still yet to see the movie. I don’t like to see my people exploited on screen. I know the history… ugh. Just like Roots… always something I meant to do but will probably happen on my own time
or through some serious extortion. Precious is gonna fall right into that category. I wanna see it b/c I want to see how it all plays out but I don’t wanna see well… just b/c.@Selah, I’m late to when this post was active, but I said the same thing over on Twitter. I generally felt the same sentiment after watching it and The Color Purple, movies that have a lot of similarities.
-unfortunate-looking (read: uber ugly) dark-skinned Black woman used, abused, and persecuted by someone she lives at home with.
-getting molested and having two kids by a father figure before 18.
-the main character daydreaming.
-Oprah Winfrey involvement.
-Neither can read in the beginning.
-Black men ain’t sh*t in either one.
Precious seemed like it was about people who saw/read The Color Purple and decided to live out a similar life in order to crank out TCP ’09. EA Sports, it’s in the game!
I saw the Precious on Thursday. I thought Mo’nique did some great acting, but I don’t think it was Oscar worthy.
As for 2- I didn’t even realize the whole sub-plot of the mulatto saving the darky. A cousin of mine pointed that out and I didn’t even have a response. I just thought of Paula Patton as the nice teacher who helped her obese illiterate student. And btw I didn’t like the way the movie ended.
I would say just read the book. The mental picture I had painted of the story was a bit different from what happened on screen… but isn’t it always
@Satya,
The mental picture I had painted of the story was a bit different from what happened on screen… but isn’t it always
please expound and sh*t
I just finished reading Push a couple of weeks ago and in the book, there are other characters of all colors who have had similarly hard lives. Either way, I’m torn on seeing the movie. I don’t like crying in the movie theatre.
@sanen85, I’m really disappointed with the casting of Paula Patton because her character IS CLEARLY not a lightskinned character in the book.
@Liz, To be honest, I had to google her just to find out who that was. I guess she’s supposed to be playing Precious’s teacher, and you’re right, she was clearly not a lightskinned character. I guess I had envisioned that there would at least be one or two 2520s in the class to round out the hispanic and black characters. At least, it felt that way in the book. Looking at the cast, I guess I was wrong.
@sanen85, I think that’s why even though I LOVED the book, I can’t ride or die for the film because this is such a blatant misuse of the storyline, and it doesn’t do much to show how Precious overcame her colorism issues over time. To me, the colorism and beauty themes were way more important than the sexual abuse and poverty themes, so I can see why folks think this film is pathos pr0n.
I understand why Sapphire was reluctant to let PUSH get made into a film; it’s a complicated story. I wonder if she’s really happy with this rendition of it though…
Oh wow, hmmm I can say I understand your point, but I can’t say I fully agree. Personally I plan on watching the movie because I love the book. Despite popular opinion, I believe it was beautifully written and the growth of the characters really moved me. Push has a special place in my heart and I have to see if they did it justice. The whole issue with colorism, I can understand that. Sigh… I don’t know. I just feel like there are a lot of other movies that made Black people look bad and this is not on the top of the list. I think you should reconsider your decision. If for nothing more than to use it as a talking piece (or maybe that is just the grad student me talking).
I do feel like we find an issue with everything. For example, I spent yesterday debating the first Black Disney princess and how she is portrayed from her name to her prince to the story line. A part of me hates her portrayal and the other part is proud to see that she is actually inducted. I feel the same way about this movie, it may not be the best but I am glad that this story is told. If it can touch people then why not support it?
Just my nine cents….
@Buxxy,
why do you get 9 while the rest of the world gets 2? lol
@Selah,
lmao probably cuz she light skint (with good hurr) and got them extra “light skint” cents…
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean,
that’s always how it is. smh. LOL
@Selah,
God favors me more than the other inhabitants of this world… ::dusts off my shoulders::
@Buxxy,
Naw, Gem of the Ocean already busted you and you light-skinneded-ness out. lol
@Selah,
she’s right. God favored her with light skin. LOL!
@Selah & @The One & True GEM… of the Ocean
LMAO! Nah, Im bronze baby with nice hair… I wont front. Far from light skin, the darker the better ::raises fist::
@Buxxy, I loved the book. so in some sense, i can’t say I hate the film. I do think the film didn’t capture the whole message of the book and in some ways failed to fully explore critical issues in the book, particularly those centered around race.
@Liz,
It’s always funny to me how people call movies “films”. There’s a difference, and Tyler Perry doesn’t put out films, he puts out movies.
Movies = Guilty pleasure
Films = A work of art
I hear you, but for the most part Tyler and Oprah both didn’t come in until the end. Like, the film was finished already, was making the film festival circuit (hence the word “film”), and those two came in to save the day by adding their names for support and for check-writing purposes (to aid in making sure it got proper distribution, etc.). So, in terms of the creative process TP’s hands weren’t even in the mix. In that respect, I think it’s safe to call this a ‘film’ by all intents and purposes. That also explains why the film is such a significant departure from any other TP movie we’ve seen.
@Liz, thank you for stating this. a few people have it confused. it is NOT a Tyler Perry movie. Please don’t hand out those accolades to him (if anyone is gonna hand them out), he didn’t direct it. lol.
I enjoyed reading the book–earlier this year when I heard about the acclaim for the film at Sundance. I’m gonna see it to see how it compares…
@Buxxy,
I just feel like there are a lot of other movies that made Black people look bad and this is not on the top of the list.
see, i’m not one of those people who think that only “positive” depictions of black people should be shown on screen. i’m a big fan of realism, but i’m not a fan of having that realism pandered to me, and the entire precious phenomenon reeks of pandering to me
again though, i’ll admit that my sentiment may be unfair since i havent seen the movie. but, i’ve read and heard enough about it to suspect that i’m right, and i’m not in a huge rush to prove myself wrong
I see what you’re saying about Antwone Fisher because I saw that opening weekend but I’m passing on Prescious. I like going to the movies for an escape and this looks very intense and depressing but I also heard that it has very good acting so I will rent it when it hits netflix.
@Leila,
I see what you’re saying about Antwone Fisher because I saw that opening weekend but I’m passing on Prescious
in your opinion, what makes fisher a potentially enjoyable experience but not precious?
@The Champ,
The happy ending in Antwone Fisher is an easier pill to swallow than the more realistic ending of Precious.
A friend of mine saw it and has been in a deep, melancholy, and introspective “how did we get here” mood since Friday.
Based on that, I plan to see it but not right now. I’m kind of up to my quota on sad, depressing, how horrific is this, somebody come save us “entertainment” at this moment.
@OneChele, ok! ninjas still gotta go to work and school!
i havent seen the movie yet becuz its not playing in a theater near me. if it doesnt come to pgh by thanksgiving, ill just see it while im in atlanta.
but i am looking forward to seeing the movie. the reasons Champikins doesnt want to see it are the same reasons im intrigued by it. while the film is tackling many undesirable themes and issues, i think thats all the more reason to support the film. becuz it makes the viewer uneasy and uncomfortable. from what i can tell, its seems realistic in a way that its actually kind of comes across as unreal to those of us who are privileged and far removed from such a life. idk really. i guess ill soon find out.
besides, i think the casting is interesting within itself and id like to see how the actors carry this film. theres enough glamorous stars in their who have less flattering roles. and its always entertaining (to me) to see the fab look drab.
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean,
its not in the burgh yet? are you sure?
@The Champ,
yes, im sure. its not playing in lincoln, ne (my current location) either. so ill just assume ill see it thanksgiving night with my bff and/or brother.
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean,
what the hell are you doing in nebraska?
@The Champ,
eating corn.
for the record tyler didn’t cast this..he and oprah put the money up but its not a tyler film
I also don’t know if its colorism just because paula is light skinned I mean in the book the teacher actually was a bit of a detriment to precious. I plan to see it.. I liked the book ( except the ending) and wanna see how it plays out and that’s my whole motivation. not because of any of the bull shyt reasons being used to drum up ticket sales.
its a fictional sad as movie based on a pretty good book….why can’t it just be that?
@shay-d-lady,
lol i <3 you shay-d. you keeps it real.
@shay-d-lady, i agree. my only issue was casting of Paula Patton since the book seems to go out of its way to point out Precious’ teacher is darker skinned and has dreads. I was picturing a whoopi goldberg type actress, and I get Paula Patton? really? that seemed a bit of a significant stretch especially since colorism is a major theme in the book. seemed like an asshole move to me.
@Liz,
Chile, you know movie producers do their own thang when casting for films and often ignore character descriptions from the books inspired by the film.
I was horrified when Oprah cast a young Halle Berry in her television film adaptation of “The Wedding”.
Shelby was black in the book but she was a black woman who looked white. And Oprah cast Halle. Yeah, in real life Halle’s momma is white but you wouldn’t know that ish unless she told you.
It took me a while to get over the poor casting and just learn to accept that the film is never, ever going to be an excellent or accurate representation of the book.
@V.E.G., re: The Wedding, REALLY? I never read the book and would not have known that detail. I think things like this are critical where race play important roles in the story…and in the case of both films it strikes me odd this is overlooked since Black people are involved or leading the creative process.
@Liz, I pictured Vanessa Williams (from Soul Food on TV, not the movie) as Ms. Rain.
I saw the movie during opening weekend in NYC, and I thought it was pretty good. While it left out Farakhan’s influence on Precious, I felt it captured most of the original story.
The audience was a mix of black people, white people, men, women, teenagers, gay people, straight people…
@InnerDiva, ahh you’re right. I think that Vanessa Williams would have been a great casting choice for Ms. Rain!
@shay-d-lady,
“for the record tyler didn’t cast this..he and oprah put the money up but its not a tyler film”
i know, but i don’t think its a coincidence that the colorism charge comes up with practically everything t.p. puts his name on.
also, if a fictional book and movie is based on and lauded for its realism, it stops becoming just a fictional sad ass movie based on a pretty good book. basically, if you make it a point to be judged on your realism, then i’m going to judge you on your realism.
for instance, while the bluest eye is one of my favorite books, casting a fair-skinned girl as pecola in a screen depiction would probably ruin the movie for me
@The Champ,
“for instance, while the bluest eye is one of my favorite books, casting a fair-skinned girl as pecola in a screen depiction would probably ruin the movie for me”
They will totally ruin that story if they ever try to make it into a movie.
@The Champ,
I guess there are some cases where TP’s protagonist is light skinned(ed) and the antagonist is dark, but I can also think of instances where the protagonist is dark – the lead from Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Idris Elba in Daddy’s Little Girls. I don’t think there is necessarily a trend in his movies.
Ok. So much to say about this but I’ll just address #2. I’m so over that mindset. Having a background in social work and having worked only in the non profit sector, I have a huge problem with blacks that have problems with non-blacks helping, excuse me, “saving” black youth. The reality is that if the *black* parents, community, and school system hadn’t somehow failed the black youth in the first place, we wouldn’t need anyone to save them. So I suppose if a youth cannot be paired with a social worker/mentor of their same race then they’re better off without any help right?
@Jennifer,
you bring up a good point. im not a fan of the anti-white/light saving darkies film sentiment either. im hearing the same thing about The Blindside with Sandy Bull. why not just focus on the fact that “at risk” youth are being saved, period? does it matter by who?? celebrate the victories.
and if color is really a problem, why not encourage more black, darker skinned folks to go into social work, teaching, service careers to be the captain save-a-colored??
I just wonder, who is the intended audience for this movie? B/c I never thought it was a secret that there is sexual abuse, physical abuse, and extreme poverty in the black community, along with a lack of access to health care and lack of quality education. And Reagan told us years ago about the welfare queen, so is this movie really intended for black folks? Or even intended for socially/culturally white people, because these same issues are prevalent among our white brethren.
I agree with your all of your points, Champ. My sister wants to see it this Saturday, but the Buckeyes are playing, sooo…. I probably won’t be able to make it.
I’ll have more to say at a more decent hour….
@insomN.I.A.,
this shouldn’t be here. it’s not a reply to Gem and Jennifer… smh
@insomN.I.A.,
The Buckeyes?!?!
Yeah, I think you can go see precious. Twice.
Bond.
@insomN.I.A.,
I just wonder, who is the intended audience for this movie? B/c I never thought it was a secret that there is sexual abuse, physical abuse, and extreme poverty in the black community, along with a lack of access to health care and lack of quality education. And Reagan told us years ago about the welfare queen, so is this movie really intended for black folks?
What does it matter WHO the audience is? An author, an artist, a musician all create things… whoever consumes those things end up consuming it. Stories are there to be told and Precious is one of those stories. To me, we either like it or we don’t… but stopping stories from being told just because we don’t “like their premises” is asking a lot, imho.
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean,
“why not encourage more black, darker skinned folks to go into social work, teaching, service careers to be the captain save-a-colored??”
Word. Especially since I’ve been volunteering/working with non-profits since I was 15 years old and more often than not (unless I do smthg with my sister’s sorors, Urban League or a church group) I am the only black or brown face that is NOT a client. smh.
@Jennifer,
“So I suppose if a youth cannot be paired with a social worker/mentor of their same race then they’re better off without any help right?”
i’m not saying that. any help a kid gets is perfectly fine with me. you’re barking up the wrong tree
i’m not referring to real-life instances as much as the tired movie theme.
to me, this theme is along the same lines as the “homely girl gets picked on and can’t find a date, but takes off her glasses and becomes a supermodel” and any other movie cliche you can think of, and after watching 290 or so movies with the same premise, it gets tired
@Jennifer,
In line with #2, surely there are instances where a black person has stepped in to save another black person…or even stepped in to save a white person. I’d like to see this portrayed for a change. It seems that every year I’m bombarded with a new “2520 steps in to save darky” movie.
On top of that you’ve got the whole “white washing” effect where non-blacks take on the role of the hero, whereas in the reality of the actual event, that hero was black. Just within the past two weeks we’ve seen a 2520 female police officer take credit for bringing down the Fort Hood gunman. In reality, it was a black male officer who fired the shots that ended it.
“Others” rarely interact with us. Their only knowledge of us is based on what is portrayed in the media and the one or two of us that they work with. How are we ever to truly be recognized as equals if all they are ever shown are negative portrayals and those where our only saviours are them?
@Caballeroso and The Champ,
WORD. I really can’t co-sign this enough.
@VeronicaCorningstoneD,
Best. Screen name. Ever!
@Caballeroso,
You. Are. The. ILLEST.
x______________
@Caballeroso,
You’re right on point with your comments. You never see movies that show a black as the hero saving another black which happens all day, everyday but never glorified.
Good points.
@Caballeroso, @The Champ,
“i’m not referring to real-life instances as much as the tired movie theme”
Well maybe I should have clarified because I was definitely talking about real life instances. I get that people are tired of the non blacks “saving” blacks movie theme. And there’s nothin wrong with wanting to see blacks in the “hero” role. I get that. What I don’t get (and perhaps this is not what you meant) is when people get upset over these very real portrayals…and again I’m speaking from a social service perspective. It seems to me, that people would rather get upset about the color of who is helping whom rather than be upset about why the client is in that position in the first place. I guess it’s an easier issue to address.
Perhaps we need movies like “Precious” to inspire more blacks to go into the social service field. While alot of us are way too familiar with and even tired of stories like this, there are those (blacks included) that are not.
@Jennifer,
Oh. And Go Bucks.
@Jennifer,
Whoohooo!!!
@Jennifer,
i feel you on this.
@Jennifer,
It seems to me, that people would rather get upset about the color of who is helping whom rather than be upset about why the client is in that position in the first place.
Word. Life.
My classmate asked me if I’m going to see Prescious. I answered no. Why this film? The issues are important, but they’re nothing new to me. I don’t get the hype. Still, my ultimate reasons for not watching this film are: #2 & 4.
The book, however, picks up my interest because some critics mention the main character is actually inspired to accept herself more by a similar skin tone woman with natural hair, and she pushes herself to rises above all the abuse.
@SnijanaFleur,
I don’t get the hype.
i get it. when you add the almost improbably depressing amount obstacles the girl faces, the fact that oprah, tyler perry, mariah carey, and mo’nique all have some connection to the film, and the name of it (precious, which is actually pretty genius), the hype is understandable
I haven’t seen the movie yet but when it comes to my city i do plan on going.
I feel u on all your points but when you said “basically, i’m not going to spend my money to support tyler perry’s odd obsession with casting colorism, even if said colorism results in a lesbian paula patton” ok tyler perry had nothing to do with casting in this movie him and Oprah put their names on this movie after it was already made
@Nicole,
‘ok tyler perry had nothing to do with casting in this movie him and Oprah put their names on this movie after it was already made”
yeah, i know. i addressed this in a comment a bit upthread.
welcome and sh*t, btw (i think)
i’m not sure about precious. i don’t like going to the movies in general, for fear that i’ll be trapped in a theatre for 2 hours watching some mess. but with precious, i’m more concerned that it’ll be depressing and i’ll leave all devastated on the inside. i don’t know though, cuz i want to support black art. although tyler perry’s involved, so it may not be art afterall. also, apparently there’s sexual abuse depicted in the film. um…..i can sit through watchin all the other abuses, but the idea of secksual abuse makes me cringe
,especially when Monique is involved.@charli skipper,
“…it’ll be depressing and i’ll leave all devastated on the inside.”
this is how i felt after watching the steelers yesterday
@The Champ,
You too?! That ish was terrible…lol
@The Champ, OMG that was soooo bad. My only solace was in the fact that the bar I went to in downtown BK to watch the game had a whole gang of Steelers fans reppin hard. They had jerseys, terrible towels and everything. Didn’t even see any Jets or Giants fans. Felt like a home away from home… sigh
@charli skipper,
here’s a solution…buy a ticket, dont go in. that way, youre supporting negrocity in filmmaking but also, not leaving all dark and twisty inside.
before i share my $0.02, i just want to say, that 8th wonder and i will be doing our best to cement “precious propaganda” into the vernacular of…well, her and i. i am hoping others follow in our footsteps.
that said, i haven’t seen the movie, and i’m not sure i want to. you see, about 2 yrs ago i joined a book club. the first book was ‘push’. if i had to write a poem, using only one word for each stage of this experience, the poem would go as follows:
books
love
women
intelligent
decision
‘push’
what
hold
stop
help
911!
*wall slide in steamy shower*
Lifetime aint got nothin on ‘Prec!
HELP!
OMGG!
*nausea*
HELP!
ok, clearly some stages could not be contained in one word, but cotdamnit, that book had me wanting to literally throw up. i guess that speaks to the author and her talent, but really, how talented do you have to be to make that subject compelling? it just is. anywho, i fell out of the book club circle as soon as that book was done, i even had to give the book away, LOL. all jokes aside, i was really, really affected by it. i thought about it long after i finished it and..if it brings more awareness on abuse, incest, etc..great.
do i need to see it on the big screen? hell to the naw. i’m pretty sure i will not be seeing it unless a group of my friends really stress it. so no champ, you’re not alone.
@overit,
I agree with you on being affected long after reading a book or seeing a film/movie dealing with abuse. I was in a book club and one of our selections dealt with extreme abuse of a child. I felt there was just nothing to really discuss about the topic afterwards and the very descriptive, graphic nature of the book remained with me long after. I fortunately have not had to deal with any abuse in my liftetime, and am not so niave to bury my head in the sand and ignore the issue or believe that it does not exist. However, I just do not have a desire to sit through a movie on the big screen and have it burned in to my consicousness once again. I do not plan on seeing Precious, there is nothing that compels me to do so.
@overit,
how talented do you have to be to make that subject compelling?
i think it takes alot of talent. i mean, you finished the book, right? a lessor author handling those topics might have made you quit it by the second chapter.
btw, “lifetime aint got nothin on precious” is more than one word
@The Champ, first of damn all, i SAID “ok, clearly some stages could not be contained in one word”
and as far as making the subject compelling, i was speaking from my bambi point of view. it doesn’t take much for this koala to be compelled, lol.
@overit,
lol at the image of a koala flipping through the pages of ‘push’
I am no plans to watch the movie and don’t really care. I am just blown that you had to take a shot at Lupe Fiasco. He legit man. That is all, carry on.
@aceklub,
lol, i actually don’t mind lupe at all. i just wanted to point out my inherent distrust of things liberals tell me i’m supposed to like
I just wonder, who is the intended audience for this movie? B/c I never thought it was a secret that there is sexual abuse, physical abuse, and extreme poverty in the black community, along with a lack of access to health care and lack of quality education. And Reagan told us years ago about the welfare queen, so is this movie really intended for black folks? Or even intended for socially/culturally white people, because these same issues are prevalent among our white brethren.
I agree with your all of your points, Champ. My sister wants to see it this Saturday, but the Buckeyes are playing, sooo…. I probably won’t be able to make it.
I’ll have more to say at a more decent hour….
@insomN.I.A.,
I just wonder, who is the intended audience for this movie?
i’m not sure either, but does it matter?
Yes… most movies have an intended audience based on the content of the movie. That’s why romantic comedies and the like are considered chick flicks, and action movies are geared toward the male movie goer. Precious confuses me b/c it comes across as a movie for everybody, hence the “we’re all Precious” meme. Thing is, this is just a movie, and I think people are trying to make it out to be something greater than what it really is, when we have all seen this before.
Either way, my sister informed me that she wanted to hit up the matinee, and the Buckeyes play an early game Saturday, so it looks like I’m going to see Precious afterall….
@N.I.A. naturally,
precious will probably be more entertaining and less frustrating than watching the buckeyes play. i know they win games, but when it comes to being conservative, jim tressel is the glenn beck of college football coaches
@The Champ,
I KNOW!!! He makes me so upset. Take this past Satursday… we should have won that game in regulation, but as soon as we get a half decent lead, he just relaxes instead of going in for the ultimate kill. Unless we are up by 30, I’m never comfortable with a lead….
And they play Michigan this Saturday, and I will be so upset if he doesn’t pound them into the ground!!
Here’s my take…
Usually I’m all for seeing and supporting black films (yes, even Tyler Perry), but I’m not sure about this one. On one hand, I want to because I want to support the movie but then again I’m a little bit too bright, shiny and at times a complete sap to see such horrible things in a matter of hours. I’ll probably wind up waiting until it comes out on DVD to see it so I can cry in the comfort of my own home. As far as your reasons Sir Champ, I agree with #’s 3 and 4.
Just one person’s view.
@Kijuana,
i have nothing to add here, other than i agree and i like the sound of “sir champ”
What is it that you are so unwilling to see? Why do so many of us run from what is uncomfortable, what makes our skin crawl, what makes us want to run the other way or pull the covers over our eyes? Sometimes what is atrocious must be faced. Nothing on that screen is more heinous than the realities we tolerate everyday as a community. Precious is fiction but black youth killing black youth, promise being wiped out, wars on the innocent, an inadequate school system, genocide, people dying right this moment because they have no access to clean water or food…that’s all extremely real. If we can’t face even a fictionalized account of the true suffering of another how can we ever even hope to confront and eradicate the real suffering. We can’t keep turning away my brother, we just can’t….the world needs us to face what we’d rather not face, fix what seems unfixable. If not us then who? Let’s get out of our comfort zones, look into the face of what we loathe and fear and never back down….
@Hope Hyder, I agree totally. We can’t hide from the reality of what we are facing. I can understand why it can be painful at times to see these kinds of movies but..I believe that it makes you more aware in the end and for that reason, I’ll be watching it and hopefully, I’ll have a greater appreciation and empathy for someone going through that situation for real…
@2sweet,
I can understand why it can be painful at times to see these kinds of movies but..I believe that it makes you more aware
only if you’re completely unaware of those types of circumstances. to be honest, i dont think there’s a movie that can be made right now that would increase my awareness about any american inner-city issue. not to say that i’m omniscient, but it would be pretty tough to surprise me at this point
welcome and sh*t, btw
@Hope Hyder,
If we can’t face even a fictionalized account of the true suffering of another how can we ever even hope to confront and eradicate the real suffering.
so, the only way to appreciate how harmful and virulent rape and murder is to actually choose to witness someone being murdered or raped on screen? you can work to end suffering and atrocity without choosing to pay 8 dollars to watch 2 hours of it
welcome and sh*t, btw
@Hope Hyder,
I totally agree with this comment. I, too, was having debates with myself about seeing Precious. Although I had been preaching the gospel, I was not ready to go see it.
Then, I realized that apathy and not really antipathy is what allowed the world to let horrible things happen over and over again without doing a thing. Being aware that certain things happen is one thing: seeing and hearing those things can leave an imprint on the mind strong enough for one to take action.
Yes we all know there are stories like Precious all over. We know OF them… How many of us have actually met a Precious? When I was young, I couldn’t but think if the white people were all so dehumanized to let slavery go on for 400 years without nary a peep. I just couldn’t wrap my brain around the fact people didn’t see the humanity in their fellow humans and just kept doing it over and over again… Then it hit me that APATHY was the reason why slavery went on for 400 years. People didn’t need to “confront” the reality, they could “escape” and not have it in their face all the time… plus it couldn’t have been that bad…. right? Wrong. We might think we know what the Preciouses of the world go through and are enduring on the regular, but I, for one, have no idea. And instead of retreating in my safe little haven where I have the luxury to “escape”… I’ll face my fears and confront my discomfort at the theater.
If it compels me to even think about a Precious for longer than an hour, it will be worth it.
@Sula,
This stuck out to me. I just recently (well, relatively speaking) met someone who is a victim of domestic violence. It boggles my mind. She’s a beautiful woman, and quite intelligent. She’s the first person I’ve ever known a personal level to ever be involved in a domestic violence situation. I’m not sure what to do about it at times.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
-Edmund Burke
I went to see it Sunday afternoon with my cousin, our daughters, and some of her friends. I’ve read a number of blogs over the past 10 days where people made the same point of not planning to watch it because as a race, we’re sick of black pathology. It was the acting in the previews that drew me in anyway.
Let me tell y’all something. That was the best dang movie I’ve seen in a very long time. I walked out the theatre yesterday thinking, I gotta do a post on this.
My background is Child Protective Services social work and later, mental health therapy, and I have had cases like this. It was a stunningly accurate portrayal of many things an incest survivor goes through, from the retreating into fantasy while being raped, to the brutal verbal abuse and domination by a parent, the shame, the addiction such as in that case, the way a parent can overfeed and isolate that kid and themselves, the fear of the abusive parent by other relatives, the good and bad in social services and teachers… the list goes on.
I won’t give away the ending, but the storyline and drama will blow you away.
If there was ever a time to put aside your disgust of the media’s constant portrayal of black pathology, this is it. This is not only our story to claim and embrace without shame, it is a universally human story of family oppression and the victim’s struggle to escape it and just be.
@Kit (Keep It Trill),
lol, did the ‘precious’ people give you a check or just straight cash for leaving that comment?
*chuckling*
Nah, I wish they did. Seriously, it was so good that I to get my movie review on.
Remarkable, ’cause I had all the same reservations you all did and maybe more. It’s one of the best and most memorable works done by our people this year.
So give it a try. Just think of it like all the foods you were reluctant to try when younger, only to discover you missed out on some good meals that are now your favorite.
Now, whose got Oprah and Tyler Perry’s phone numbers? I’d move in a heartbeat to work for them. They rocked it.
@Kit (Keep It Trill),
it is a universally human story of family oppression and the victim’s struggle to escape it and just be.
And that’s what is often forgotten. It IS a human story.
We complain to not have enough stories portraying us, we complain that it’s not mainstream enough. Then we have a HUMAN story being told but we focus on it being a BLACK story being told. Like Shay-d-lady said, can’t it just be a great movie about a human truth?
I bet all those people not going to watch Precious have seen Million Dollar Baby. Was it the first story of trailer trash white person overcoming being told? Nope. Is it going to be the last? Nope. Do we complain about those stories? Nope.
I think the issue here is deeper than being “fed up” with the same story over and over.
@Sula,
just wanted to say for the record, i never saw (and have no intention to see) million dollar baby…
@Jennifer, GEM, et al.
I think, though, that Hollywood has a very bad habit of creating these films where a white character (notice I didn’t not say light skint…black is black. Recognize) goes into the hood to help po’ colored folks.
I mean, there was a movie some years ago where Rita Pearlman taught a bunch of kids from the hood how to play basketball, thus raising their self-esteem. Carla from Cheers! GTFOH.
Having a white person in real life who is a social worker, etc. in a community of color help ‘save’ a person is one thing. But having the media constantly portray the image of the ‘white savior’ and ignoring the fact that sooo many blacks, women especially, dominate the social work and public education fields in poor, urban areas is an intentional slap in the face not only to our ability as a people to be self-sufficient but also to those among us who make it their life’s work to make a difference.
@V.E.G.,
i dont disagree with you there, veggie. but for the most part, thats just how 2520 folks is, as my parents would say. they want to portray themselves as doing something meaningful for the black community despite all the bad theyve done in the process, as if to say “see? we arent always the devil. you need us”. and thats fine. if that makes them feel good at the end of the day, helps hollywood execs sleep at night, by all means. becuz at the end of the day, we — black folk — are expected to help our own and do for our kind. its not seen as special or unordinary to the majority population to see blacks helping blacks. and a lot of these whitie-saves-darkie movies are based on true stories. so hollywood wants to showcase that. thats their agenda. i dont expect anyone who doesnt look like me, think like me, or have had similar experiences as me to depict ME suitably and completely favorably.
and even then they still might not get it right or how i want it done.
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean,
“i dont expect anyone who doesnt look like me, think like me, or have had similar experiences as me to depict ME suitably and completely favorably.”
Co-sign. BUT…sometimes even when they do look like ‘us’…I am still left *smh*
And that should have been Rhea Pearlman, not Rita. lol.
@V.E.G.,
” I mean, there was a movie some years ago where Rita Pearlman taught a bunch of kids from the hood how to play basketball, thus raising their self-esteem. Carla from Cheers! GTFOH. ”
OH snap!!! I totally remember watching this when it came out. It was horrendous.
@miss t-lee,
SUNSET PARK WHAT TIME IS IT?
…IT’S TIME TO GET LIVE!
…IT’S TIME TO REPRESENT!!
*worst basketball movie evar*
@Me fail english?,
The same sentence I always say about Love Jones could also work for Sunset Park.
“the best thing about that movie was the soundtrack” ~miss t-lee
@miss t-lee,
Thank you for not buying into that pretentious, high class ho of a movie, Love Jones. That’s why we >>>here<<<.
@Me fail english?,
Best thing about that movie was that Mobb Deep song on the soundtrack. You can’t even buy the individual song on itunes, you gotta get the entire soundtrack. Um, no.
Bond.
Man, forget ya’ll! I liked Sunset Park. Fredro Star playing a sensitive character. Terrance Howard before he blew up. Talent the comedian. C’mon Son!
@BlkBond, I wish I still had the cd, I’d rip the track for you…
@Me fail english?, oh Sunset Park was my ish! but it couldve just been because I thought Spaceman was hilarious and I had a crush on Drano. I KNOW I was young as hell when that joint came out. and yeah, the soundtrack was dope.
@V.E.G.,
I mean, there was a movie some years ago where Rita Pearlman taught a bunch of kids from the hood how to play basketball, thus raising their self-esteem. Carla from Cheers! GTFOH.
i think this was sunset park
@V.E.G.,
This is why I have a visceral reaction to the ads for the new movie that stars Sandra Bullock as the 2520 rich southern lady who saves the big black dumb boy by giving him his first “real bed” and getting him on the football team! I told a friend of mine I am tired of seeing these types of movies pop-up every year and I refuse!
I went to see Precious at the movie theater by myself after vowing only to rent it and watch it at home. Everyone in that theater laughed, cried and applauded for the same reason. To me, I think it was a human story that everyone could relate to on some level. I definitely left the theater affected. I will never forget the images that I saw on the screen, but it also made me want to go home and hug everyone that I love. It made me want to be a better parent, a better person and to reach out to those who may feel invisible and who may be crying out for help. Lastly, many might disagree, but I think that Monique deserves an Oscar for the most convincing portrayal of a disturbed person that I have seen in a long time.
I think it’s good to watch, makes us appreciate our sisters more. That’s why I love the word WOMAN, y’all are so so tough, and you put up with so so much. Shout out to the R.
@Da Iceman,
***wondering who told m.1. from dead prez about vsb***
@The Champ,
Yeah, get the frosting…
Bond.
@The Champ, LOL
Ok Champale, I have to agree with you here. Not because of the “Black women being abused” thing, cause honestly I really didn’t know that was a part of this movie’s plot. I’m agreeing with you on the whole Tyler Perry colorism thing – it’s prevalent (and not even subtle) in EVERY last one of his movies. I had an issue with him at first, because his movies were so “blatantly understated” (yes, oxymoron, I know) with EXTRA religious overtones in practically every line any actor spoke. It was sickening. But then I started to see how the “knight in shining armor” (male or female) was always lightskinned, and the evil no-good bastids were always darkskinned. The hell? And you’re supposed to be making “Christian” based movies? Get the hell outta here with that bullshank. I digressed here, but to answer your topic question HELL NO I’m not gonna go see Precious – well, I won’t pay to see it anyway. I’d watch it on internet bootleg for free, JUST to see what all the “buzz” is about. Better yet, I’ll wait for it to come out on cable. I’m even more mad that Oprah backs this Tyler Perry colorism nonsense, cause let’s face it, she ain’t exactly albino – ya dig?
@RedBeanzNRice on a Diet,
Ok Champale, I have to agree with you here.
***looking up in the sky to watch for falling pig sh*t***
I’m going to go see it…as soon as I scrape my shoebox savings together after my rent check clears.
Or maybe I’ll just tv links it…
*cough* carry on…
@chaoticdiva,
I’m going to go see it…as soon as I scrape my shoebox savings together after my rent check clears.
lol, this was going to be reason number 5: “its a recession, and theater privileges are reserved for movies i really, really, really want to see”
Hmmm. Seems my original post is either in moderation, or it got deleted. I’ll wait and see, and repost if necessary, LOLz.
@RedBeanzNRice on a Diet,
repost deez
After reading the book many many moons ago, I have no desire whatsoever to see this movie. I was beginning to think that I was the only one!
@Ange,
you are not alone and sh*t.
Read the book…going to see the movie….could care less about whose name is attached to it…could care less about “colorism”….could care less about the attitude of “tired of seeing black woman abused”…do something about it.
Of course we know what goes on in “our” community, sexual abuse, mental abuse, physical abuse is NOT a secret but it is one story that should be told over an over until we get it and do something about…you think you’re tired of hearing about it how about the folks who live it…everyday..and DON’T have the option to not watch it…kudos to you.
You have your own say so, opinion, what have you…but what are we doing about preventing these kinds of stories from happening in the first place. Familiarity breeds nonchalance and contempt…I HATE that we’ve seen so much of this in “our” community that it gets old an all we do is change the channel or refuse to look. I’m not saying that watching a movie will do anything to help but sometimes we need to be reminded and stop sweeping this mess under the rug to “forget” about it…. just because we’re tired of seeing it doesn’t make it go away…and I’m sure I went all the way around God’s back to say “I’m going to see it” but issues like this are bigger than a movie.
@Smiley Face,
Read the book…going to see the movie….could care less about whose name is attached to it…could care less about “colorism”….could care less about the attitude of “tired of seeing black woman abused”…do something about it.
why? i mean, why are you going to see the movie?
@Smiley Face,
could care less about the attitude of “tired of seeing black woman abused”…do something about it.
Pretty much dear.
I haven’t seen nor do I have the desire to see it. I’m sorry, the ish looks depressing, madd depressing. If I’m spending change to go to the movies I would like to be entertained, escape for an hour or two to a fantasyland with plenty of Michael Bay explosions and ninjas. A movie with incest and abuse? Um…doesn’t seem that much like an excape to me…lol Then again, I tend to shy away from movies with certain subject matter anyway.
I’ve read excerpts from the book, and even that was hard to read. Not knocking the movie or the bok, just that I choose not be involved with either.
To add insult to injury, I usually steer clear of anything that Oprah has her hand on anyway. Including her book club, all of her new age flavors of the month (the secret etc.), and Josh Groban/Michael Buble.
@miss t-lee,
I’m with you on that whole shying away from the Oprah endorsement- at least for movies anyway. I like Michael Buble; didn’t realize she was promoting him.
As far as movies go, I learned my lesson from watching Beloved. That ish was terrible. They should have paid me to watch that. I actually TRIED to fall asleep in that mess.
@Caballeroso,
I tried to watch Beloved 3 times when it came out on video. I fell asleep 3 times…I don’t even think I made it to the halfway mark, the book wasn’t good either, I don’t even know why I try…lol
@Caballeroso,
yeah, Beloved (the movie) was AWFUL. I remember reading it in high school and teacher being like “I’m gonna show you this because I want you to see a visual depiction, but lemme warn you-it’s not great” lol
Goodmorning everyone, I agree one hundred percent with most of what’s being said and the post. Black women being done wrong has been done and I really don’t care to be all emotional and basically have to root and cheer for the caucasian savior.(I just finished Season 4 of the Wire and I cheered for Prez so I’m done for the year as well) Also,getting on my soapbox, The Blindside is another one of these movies that make my *ss pucker up. Big, black, in the hood type ninja and nobody trying to make any money off of him…by showing him love and put a roof over his head no AAU coach trying get him to the league? yeah right. But Sandra Bullock is the bleeding heart to show that white people can be nice, and they’re not all bad.Okay I get it I too have white friends and family I mean I like white people just as much as the next kat( I still keep one eye on ‘em though) but Hollywood just stop trying to tell that story over and over. I don’t write a script everytime I help white people so give it a rest.
@Gainesville Green,
I read the book. The previews butcher this jawn somethin serious. The white man’s burden is discussed by the author and the people that take in young Michael Oher.
Go and read the book. Pass on the movie.
@Stank-0,
I do wanna read this book, I obviously slept on it when it came out. I read the synopsis, and I’m intrigued.
You’re right on the previews, that movie looks like hot buttered garbage.
@Gainesville Green,
The Blindside is another one of these movies that make my *ss pucker up. Big, black, in the hood type ninja and nobody trying to make any money off of him…by showing him love and put a roof over his head no AAU coach trying get him to the league?
to their credit, i can probably name at least 5 guys off the top of my head who would be millionaires right now if the right people took the right interest in them and that interest was reciprocated. point being, there are kids with situations like mike oher’s(sp?) everywhere
@The Champ,
there are stories like that everywhere. and its nice that even one of them is being portrayed on the silver screen. why not?? celebrate victories.
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean,
celebrate deez
I just don’t want to see anything where MoNique makes herself look worse than she already looks.
..and I dont want to pay to watch something that depresses me. That just makes no sense to me.
@Deviant,
**making sure not to seat deviant next to mo’nique at the vsb bbq**
Someone may have already pointed this out but TP had nothing to do with casting. He and Oprah added their names AFTER the movie was complete.
I saw it last night. As the good Lord is my witness, I will not watch that again–even it if is playing on my glasses!! If it comes on TV, I will avoid it like the H1N1! And considering that I watched Biker Boys from start to finish this weekend, my unwillingness to watch the well written, superbly acted, Precious should speak volumes. You have someone who is on a manic high, take their asses to see Precious. It will calm them down and ruin the rest of their day, or week!
Was it good? Sure. Was it likely very true to life? Yes. Was it a major downer?? More than major!!!!
@Ms. Smart,
What’s the deal w/ yuck mouthing biker boys. That jawn was fun hot chicks hotter bikes. A story about a testosterone laden society. It was aight.
Same reason I ain’t gonna see the Blind Side. I’m cool with Oher just manning the right side of our line and talking sh** to Jared Allen
@Dorian G.,
is there a professional football team in baltimore this year?
@The Champ,
l.m.a.o.
Champ we can’t give Tyler Perry too much credit for this movie, he came on board after Sundance so the movie was done. I saw it because I read the book and wanted to see how such horrible facets of someone’s life could be adapted. While it is harder to watch than The Color Purple in my opinion it is necessary to support these kind of movies. If we don’t we’ll have Madea, Big Momma, Wanda and Sheneneh (brothers dressed up as fat black women) and The Real Housewives of Atlanta as the only images of black women we see. I’d recommend it for Mo’Nique’s performance alone because it will make you question why she made “Phat Girlz” and ran around chasing Professor Ogelvie for all those years. She’s awesome.
@That Black Girl,
welcome and sh*t, but i don’t know if i follow the logic of supporting a movie i don’t want to see just so that more movies i also won’t see wont get made
Rightright Right Right Right Right. I seent it. I wish I hadn’t. It was mad hard to watch. Like the Color Purple, There Eyes Were Watching God. I h-8-chu Harpo. Especially cause o reason #4
@WuDaMan,
why did you go?
@The Champ,
I went w/ people open bar for free open bar to the premier in the great state of philadelphia open bar. Like I met a lot of the actors open bar the director open bar. & I think the way I lit up that awesome marble bathroom stall. Best shared my sentiment on how difficult it was to bear that. No offense to anyone that has or knows someone who lived through as much.
I don’t like inspirational movies. I need something funny, something blowing up, or someone getting their ass kicked/killed by someone Asian or ((used to be)) part of the government. Call it emotionally dead or whatever…. wither way….. I’m not for it
@Rayve,
I need something funny, something blowing up, or someone getting their ass kicked/killed by someone Asian
sounds like you’re a fan of japanese game shows
welcome and sh*t, btw
hmmmm. interesting. comments. I find it doubly interesting that the bulk of these comments are from people [including you oh great blog writer you] who didn’t even see the diggity darn movie!! lol…smh. but what ever…
I watched it this weekend. the dang flick is an emotional rocker. i’m a cry baby when it comes to emotional movies…but this one was so solidly INTENSE…I cudn’t even shed a damn tear!! I just sat there in silence. In fact, the VERY packed theater was silent the whole way through. thats how intense this ish was!
That being said, I will say this. This ISH is real. My father was a social worker, and my mother a forensic psychologist (imgine our dinner conversations – DEPRESSING!!!)….and the issues confronted in this movie are not isolated to the African-American community! Trust and believe. But I don’t think this movie was tryna say ‘look at all the drama them darkies have in the ghetto’ – this was really about the story of one little girl, and what the hex she went through, and how she coped and tried to make it out. This was real. Aint no happy ending [ in real life....it doesn't always work out that way..HELLO!]
As for if its a Tyler Perry/Oprah movie, or not…WHO CARES!! if its good, its good. and as far as movies – plot, acting, cinematography – goes, this was SUPERB.
As for the color scheme of the cast? LOL… i thot the same thing when I was watching the movie (why are all the ‘good’ people light/white?) I haven’t read the book to know she was supposed to be dark with locks (as am I). BUT I can’t say that it took away from the movie at all!! Or at least not enough for me to denounce the movie and relegate it to the likes of Madea’s escapades.
That discussion – on how all the light and dark folks have designated parts in movies is definitely one to be had, and can’t be ignored. But I dare say too much attention to that [in this flik] and you lose the whole damn point. [i say damn a lot...sori]
Folks is being abused [sexually, emotionally, physically] every day. that ish is lasting and traumatic. and you just NEVER know what the heck kinda burdons the next person is walking around with. This story just exposed one of many stories that we all chose to ignore or pretend doesn’t exist.
I’m done (i am also a bad speller).
@lowonder, Your use of ‘darkie’ made me wonder how nga had such staying power with ‘darkie’ as an option.
@Ms. Smart, there are many others to. hope i didn’t offend. just tryna make a point.
@lowonder,
welcome and sh*t, and thanks for recognizing my greatness
@lowonder,
great points.
Advice for anyone who is on the fence and does decide to go see it: be mindful of the theater you choose and your surrounding audience. I have heard too many instances of people going to see the movie only to be surrounding by ignorant ninjas cackling when Precious gets hit with a skillet, or during other somber parts.
I myself haven’t seen it – not that I don’t want to, but my history of becoming emotionally invested in films is well documented – I imagine that watching Precious will leave me spiritually drained for days afterwards.
@KindredSmile,
I have heard too many instances of people going to see the movie only to be surrounding by ignorant ninjas cackling when Precious gets hit with a skillet, or during other somber parts.
theres nothing more annoying than seeing a serious ‘scheinder’s list’ type of flick while people are laughing at sh*t thats not supposed to be funny. i mean, i’m a big fan of unintentional humor but there is some sh* that should be off-limits.
@The Champ, What’s this “Scheinder’s List” movie you’re talking about? Is it the darker version of “Schlinder’s List”?
@KindredSmile,
I second that. There were some juveniles behind me laughing at some of the parts that were not funny AT ALL! Almost ruint it for me.
You know, I see where Champ is coming from and where a lot of the posters are coming from as well. Here’s my little bit of change on the subject.
Seeing the trailer “Precious” really compelled a brotha because of the strong acting and the story. I don’t go the movies that often, so I can’t say whether I am going to see it or not but I am glad films like this are being made to show some of the realities of the world that a lot of people don’t know about, black or white, impoverished or privilieged. The whole “light skin or white savior” concept has been run into the ground a lot over the past decade and it is getting kinda annoying. Call me cold hearted, but it is really hard for me to feel sorry for people nowadays. At the age I am at, and where I came from and through in my life, you don’t want to work hard for anything, you can’t b***h and complain about anything. As the son of a mother who work with the worst kids in Dallas, Texas and the older brother of a sister that works with battered women everyday, help for your problems is out there. And for people who complain about how black people are portrayed in movies and in the media, do something about it. Make your world better. Until then, the images portrayed may be sicken you, make you angry or make you sad, but regardless, the images are true in some way or another, and true to someone. As a man, I love the Color Purple because in the end, the battered, abused black woman was triumphant in the end. She could have just quit on life but she kept going and finally fought back, something all of us have to do at sometime in our lives.
So Champ, your assessment isn’t harsh, it’s real. It’s honest. So is the subject matter of “Precious” and “The Color Purple”. It sucks to see black women abused in any form, women period. But it is reality for a lot of people until that diminishes, books and films like them will keep creeping into our consciousness. After what happened to that teenage girl in Richmond, California, if I have daughters, and with my luck and my 5 sisters, I probably will, I will be seriously toting iron. I will spend the rest of my life in prison because everyone of those dudes will be stains on the sidewalk when I got through with them. If you haven’t heard about it, look it up. If “Precious” shook you, that story really will. But that is a subject for another day.
Sorry for the rambling. I am just killing time before I jump on a plane to the Burgh. Thanks for the food suggestions, Champ.
@ComicBookGuy,
Sorry for the rambling. I am just killing time before I jump on a plane to the Burgh. Thanks for the food suggestions, Champ.
no problem. and thanks for the comment
@ComicBookGuy,
“As a man, I love the Color Purple because in the end, the battered, abused black woman was triumphant in the end. She could have just quit on life but she kept going and finally fought back, something all of us have to do at sometime in our lives.”
I think that sums up Precious as well. With all the crap that was tossed her way, she overcame and kept pushing. She fought against adversity to learn to read and write, and stand up for herself and her children. She reclaimed everything that was stolen from her. She didn’t tell her mother that everything she ever thought about was gon’ fail, but she turned her back on her and left her crying in Mariah’s office. It was a good damn movie, period.
@ComicBookGuy,
its great to hear a black man’s opinion on this. much needed.
@ComicBookGuy,
I have to co-sign this comment in its entirety.
Im definitely with you, Champ. i dont want to see this like i didnt want to see Doubt and i didnt really want to see Milk. in my line of work, i see stuff like this every. day. i prefer my movies to make me laugh like a jack@ss; get enough content to make me cry from going to work, and watching Private Practice. just sayin…
@shatani,
Private Practice be getting you too? I swear every week they have me emo and ish…lol
Especially last week’s epiosde. *sigh*
@miss t-lee,
the episode that really made me lose it, was the one where Violet was supposed to testify in court! when she went to see that chick in prison, man, shoot…im tearing up just thinkin about it!
@shatani,
That was a good episode.
@miss t-lee,
truly.
I don’t really support Tyler Perry films. Honestly, dude doesn’t make films for me and I’m wary of Oprah endorsed BS.
I’m with you though…I already speak to enough black women in real life that have been raped, abused, confused, neglected, abandoned, ignored, etc. Why should I plunk down change just to have another tragic story conveyed to me? It’s almost like the fact that every filmmaker that decides to do something based on life in D.C. or a famous person here, the character or person ALWAYS has a tragedy or evil about them (Petey Greene, Len Bias, Rayful Edmunds, Marvin Gaye—can’t we have one decent story? Shyt!). So…all I have to do is watch as people update their FB status ranting or raving about yet another “blacks in poverty” tragedy.
@CPT Callamity,
I don’t really support Tyler Perry films. Honestly, dude doesn’t make films for me and I’m wary of Oprah endorsed BS.
i should have made this clearer in the entry, but its not a “tyler perry” film, he and oprah just provided funding.
still, i see your point
@The Champ,
” I’m wary of Oprah endorsed BS”
So am I, Champ. So am I.
@The Champ,
Gotcha. It’s sort of like Hero that came out a while ago…people confused it as a Quentin Tarantino film when he actually just “presented” it. Either way…anything that captures the buzz of Oprahlites and Perrycostal followers is an eh from me.
@CPT Callamity,
this is an unfortunate sentiment that im seeing all too often. that either of these individuals could turn ppl away from a movie/film without knowing the substance behind it or the art involved.
i think its sad that TP and Oprah are tagging their names to this movie to get broader distribution becuz they know thats what 2520s need to latch on and we just see it as a deterrent. *smh*
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean,
Hey Tyler and Oprah are doing their thing. They are richer than me beyond capacity and they are obviously “successful” in their endeavors so good for them. However, I wouldn’t normally find myself reading books on the subject unless of course the character just so happens to be in the book. The art behind it can easily be extracted for an Art Major such as myself, but again, depends if I’d want to take the time and peruse through the gallery. My not seeing it or support means nothing anyways. The movie will make it’s dough and become another heart wrenching classic along side The Color Purple and I will probably expect to be shamed because I don’t find the lead character all that attractive, even now with her new found fame. (Oh, it’s coming!)
BTW…eff 2520s.
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean,
please dont hear me wrong. im not advocating ppl see or not see this film (or any others for that matter). i just think all this “well its affiliated/promoted by TP and Ops so i want no parts” is unfortunate. esp since TP and Ops are doin nothing but promoting the film and wanting to bring attention to it. the fact they are willing to promote and support black art is great. yet so many VSBs/VSSs are dismissing the film based on those ties.
Being a Cleveland resident, I’m still realing from the serial killer in our midst. I read PUSH in 99 and I can’t read it again. I may have to wait until sometime in late 2010 to see Precious, I have my sanity to think of.
@Mecca Sunrise,
welcome and sh*t
Champ-
A true post could not have been written!!! I read Push and had reservations from jump, but was pressured into seeing it while hanging with the family, that said me sentiments regarding my initial reservations still hold true! I was underwhelmed, and left looking forward the profound impact the movie was supposed to have on me. Thanks for voicing how I felt about this film, even without seeing it.
@harlemhoney,
welcome and sh*t (i think)
Not seeing it. I like my movies to be action packed or gut busting funnyor suspense filled and just generally all around actually entertaining.
Can’t really see anything entertaining about an obese black kid with an obese abusive momma.
However, thank y’all for supporting the movie. We need more black movies and sht.
Downside of Precious – I now call every very dark obese chick “Precious” in my head.
@SexyCool,
Yeah. Me and a friend were talking about how ‘Precious’ has become synonymous with obese, dark-skinned, woman.
For example:
Dude 1: Yo what the women look like out there?
Dude 2: Man, it’s precious out here.
Dude 1: Hell nah, I’m just gonna play NBA Live, hit me up tomorrow though.
Bond. BlkBond.
@BlkBond, smh
I actually did a post like this about the things you should know before seeing the movie (enter shameless plug) Precious Points
Can anyone actually think of a movie that Oprah has been associated with that does not have something to do with abuse? Ya got TCP….. poor Ms. Celie.. raped by her daddy, who turned out not to be her daddy, just to be passed on to Mr_______…… Then you have Beloved…. I’m not exactly how she was abused, or wether or not she was a real person, or a ghost, but she was allegedly killed by her mamma, only to come back twisted and mentally ill, sexed by Danny Glover…,. I think Oprah is into S&M
On another note… I have not seen the movie, because it did not play in my area. ( which I really don’t understand, because New Orleans is a Choc City… but whatever). I am looking foward to watching it, if for no other reason, because the movie has a BLACK cast, and if I can spend my lil’ pennies on Talladega Nights… I can go and see Precious. Yall are a tough Crowd! Negro’s can’t seem to do shyt right. No matter how hard an African American works, no matter how much effort they put into their craft… their biggest critiques will always come from the “community”…. Do any of you think there is a 2520 format discussing the overly saturated market of light-ies saving dark-ies? Do u think yt ppl debate good hair vs bad hair…. I am not the hugest Tyler Perry fan, but at least I can say that for the most, his work is family friendly, which is something that I can’t say about most of Mr. John Singelton’s films.. or Spike Lee for that matter. Try watching Boyz In The Hood or Jungle Fever with your daughters on a Sunday evening. We can be such crabs in a barrell at times. Ya dayumed if ya do… ya dayumed if u dont! WOW @ some of the comments made in this post. We can’t go watch Precious, but we can talk about having extra lite-skint points as if the 2520′s don’t see ur azz as a ninja anyway… lol!
I can’t
and if my posts sound angry… THEY ARE!!!! I have been smoke/nicotine free for 3 days not… Trying to stay strong.. I’m writing about cigarettes… I’m dreaming about cigarettes… I have been drawing pictures of cigarettes…. PRAY FOR ME YALL
@Lanieanna,
Agreed.
Maybe we are just angry b*tches is all.
Speaking of the 2520 saves a colored person movies, have ya’ll seen the trailer for the new Sandra Bullock movie? I’m an SB fan, but this trailer is kinda infuriating everytime I see it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeh7To–xy0
Reason 1 sums it up for me. Throw in anything by Tyler Perry too.
It is for some of these same reasons I don’t eff with Oprah’s Book Club.
I’m prolly gone see Precious though…
Your post was succinct and sweet. That sums up why I have NO interest in seeing Precious. This story has been told over and over and over. I’m tired now.
Great post…as always.
We’ve def already tapped into the quota for these types of movies for 2010.
Have ya’ll read the article about the film being financed by a white couple out of CO?
I won’t be seeing Precious because I don’t like in a “select city”. Play too many games.
Yo Champ
I’m feelin you on not going to see this movie. It hurts me to see Hollywood profit off the pain of black women’s struggle. But really I don’t want more movies like this comin out. Can a brotha be uplifted? Now don’t get me wrong Tyler Perry needs to give it a rest and let someone else do those “uplifting movies”
i have a hard time believing this coming from a guy who raves about ghetto booty 5 every time i see him.
I ‘ve seen the movie….. Should I go into the pure f**kery that these creative directors have created?
…..I was not impressed. Probably because nobody can capture the essence of a novel that forces your mind and creativity to its boundaries, at least not in a damn hour and change…
Y’all wanna know all the ISH they ommitted and reordered? All the scenes that were wrong in detail….?
See it….but if you have read the book and applaued for the character development, scene descriptiveness and sheer truth-like account for the black poverty issues in American innercities, don’t expect much!
don’t really want to see it, I read the book years ago and was like why did I read that..very intense, the book anyways
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WOW! I have a “sad face” at this post… I am really shocked..1) As black folks we should show more support for our movies. A movie’s success and subsequent black movie making depends on how well each and every black film does at the box office…I always go see the “black movies” on opening weekend regardless of how i feel about the plot. (“White” movies that i really want to see I see after opening weekend and at matinee pricing.) 2.) what’s with the color issue yet again? i really hadn’t even noticed that until I read this post “very sad face” and i live/grew up in the deep south where colorism./racism is alive, well, and thriving. 3) i read “Push” in about 4 hrs at work..the book itself was VERy disturbingand I still missed the color issue i thought the biggest issues were sexual abuse, low self esteem, the system failing our youth (and yes our black youth) and poverty 4) go see the damn movie! then state your opinion…Hell if no one ever supports any attempt to feature black actors ,writers, director,s producers, etc. there never will be that film that depicts us in the positive light! I was upset that the film came out in limited release…then the full opening weekend is the same weekend as “New Moon” which film you think is gonna top the box office? right! new moon…”The man” still makes all attempts to see us FAIL! Because of all the oscar hype and the sundance film award winner “the man” does not want this movie to succeed and by most of these posts neither do we!!!
As for themovie the blind side…once again I live in memphis, TN and it is a based on the true story of Michael Orr I hope it was done right (i’ll be seeing it the week after opening week at a matinee cause it’s not produced by us but is a story about 1 of us!) You have got to see the bigger picture here people!!!WAKE UP!!!!!
just my .08 cents “wink”
i just saw the movie it was pretty good
The colorism threw me off though, and it made me sad I paid $9.50 to go see it. It’s so apparent in the movie. Why couldnt they get someone darker to play the heroes?? I mean Sherri Shepard helps a little bit in the movie, but Blu (the teacher) is supposed to be dark!!!! I realize the book and the movie are not the same but damn.
I find in hard to believe they could find ay dark actors/actresses to be in the movie as good. Hell Gabby Union can’t act but it would have been great to see her as Blu or the one lady that plays the attorney of Law and Order:SVU. They always have her looking a mess but she’s really pretty??????
I saw the movie and thought it was great on many levels (great cast selection, character development, plot, etc.). I think it is interesting that you (and others) have so many bold comments about a movie that you have never seen. Most of your points reflect the surface level commentary from others in the media about a movie that does more than highlight the plight of black people. Some of the take home messages/themes about this movie transcend race. Is it threatening to you or others that the movie (like Good Hair) appeals to non-blacks and tells much needed stories?
As others have mentioned Oprah and Tyler Pyler provided the finanical backing to deliver the empowering message from this movie to a larger audience – neither directed it.
I highly recommend that you see the movie for yourself.
Precious is a good movie. We (blacks) cant go on with this racism stuff because our race was not the only race signaled out. Every race is signaled out in every movie. Its typical to say “why the white girl always gotta go do something stupid, why would she go to the place where she think the killer at?” then say “if i was there i would have…” I believe precious is only stating another dramatic situation in a random persons life, because this could happen to other people all of which are diffrent races. What if the actors were white, then what would you have to say. You most likely have a problem with this movie because precious situation is typical of more of a black race and yeah you are right, but this is not only a situation shared by blacks its by maybe more than half of the world. Please WATCH THE MOVIE its great. Im 16 and it inspired me. No i may not have her parents but i have been through half of her problems.
I know I said I was probably gonna see “Precious” and I even won free movie tickets as a bridal shower prize, but I haven’t been able to do it yet for many of the reasons posted.
Champ, intelligent, articulate & congenitally hip Black Women, such as yourself, are my True Love. So satisfying to find a Sista putting into words the uneasy, inchoate miasma that churns in my gut when I think about seeing Precious.
Now I love Saphire. She is my home girl from the NYC Black/Lesbian Renaissance of the late 70′s-80′s, when we discovered our wings, our claws & our glory, creating, sharing, performing poetry, song, dance, film, art & theater, in the tenament temples of Bronx & Brooklyn salons. Squashed together on carpet, leaning & laying on pillows & each other, we dared to midwife our pain into tsunamis of self-perpetuating creativity
. We said to each other “yes we can”, long before Obama sloganed it. And Saphire was one of our Queen Mothers. So you can understand my love & my pride in what she has achieved.
I loved her book, “Push” although it was an emotional body slam. I want very much to see Precious & yet I can’t bring myself to go. I don’t know if or when I will ever be ready to see my girl’s movie. So much of it I have already lived. So much of what I have lived remains unhealed to this day, tho Creator knows I have dedicated my life to regaining birthright wholeness.
Yet, I urge alla y’all, especially the brothas, especially aynone who has made fun of the fat girl in class, especially those who have never told anyone about happened to them in the dark, to please go see “Precious”. Take someone with you to hold your hand, figuratively if not literally. See it where the audience is not mostly white. You need “family” around you.
Saphire once told me about something I wrote, & it sustains me still: “It’s your WORK. If it’s good, It doesn’t have to be pretty. It needs to be read & it needs to be heard.” Go see “Precious”, my kin.
theMoja
I bumped into this blog while googling on the net and I must say that I see something coming back a lot in the African-American way of thinking. One of your reasons for not watching Precious was because of “White to much lighter people saving the darkies from themselves”. I will disregard the ‘white’ but will comment on the ‘much lighter people’ part. Isn’t Paula Patton a black woman? Why must you make that division and emphasize the lighter person saving the blacker person? Why not just view it as a black woman helping out a black girl who grew up in a dysfunctional household? The worst enemies of black are the black people themselves. The story of precious is a universal one. This movie did not come from a white director trying to make blacks look bad. It came from a black director trying to raise awareness. This sh*t exists within black as well as white families. Try to look at the message instead of the color. As long as y’all concentrate on that none will move forward but only point fingers back at each other. It’s a pity.
My 2cents.
-A
Just read this and had to say, co-sign 100%. Especially #2 and 3. Not a fan of the “save-a-ho” stories.