Um… how did Mariah Carey and Mo’Nique turn up in the year’s best movie? Okay, it hasn’t been released yet, but based on its trailer and its many Sundance awards, Precious is on track to be awesome. Don’t believe me? Just watch the trailer… after the jump.
The Movie: Precious (opening November 6)
The Buzz: A drama about a teenage girl trying to overcome poverty, abuse, unwanted pregnancy, and oceans of self-doubt, this movie caused a stir at Sundance in January. It nabbed top prizes from the audience and the festival jury, and it earned a special acting award for Mo’Nique, who plays the heroine’s abusive mother.
The Trailer:
The Review: I generally flip for indie films about everyday people in impossible situations—that was me spasming during Half Nelson, Rachel Getting Married, and The Wrestler—so I was predisposed to be interested in Precious. And since the trailer is artfully made, I’m even more intrigued. When the abusive mother skulks through the title card, I start thinking the entire film could have an exciting aesthetic, and then I get twitchy with anticipation.
But I’m especially enthusiastic about this movie because the preview keep flipping the script on its stars.
I mean, I love Mo’Nique as a comedian. Love her. It just never occurred to me she could be this convincing as a dramatic actress.
Meanwhile, I’ve long assumed that Mariah Carey is just another non-actor who has scammed her way into pictures. I’ve seen Glitter, y’all, and there ain’t nothin’ pretty going on. That’s why I was shocked that I didn’t even recognize Carey the first time I saw the Precious trailer. (She plays the haggard-looking counselor.) Is it possible she’s disappeared into a role? That she will honor her character’s needs without breaking into song or wearing sparkly outfits? I have got to find out.
Even if Precious (which is based on a novel by the awesomely-named Sapphire) proves less brilliant than I want it to be, I will always respect this trailer. Anything that convinces me to see a Mariah Carey movie without getting drunk is doing something right.
The Rating: Five Copies of Glitter, Buried and Forgotten Under the Earth
5 responses so far ↓
1 Sasha // May 26, 2009 at 7:30 am
The book is called “Push” and it is amazing, but it will break your heart. I remember reading it probably 15+ years ago, sitting in the waiting room at a car repair shop, bawling my eyes out. I’m not sure I can handle seeing the movie.
2 JNez // May 26, 2009 at 8:38 am
wow. very powerful trailer. i’m definitely looking forward to seeing the movie. between monique & mariah, i see very good performances come oscar time!
3 K. // May 26, 2009 at 11:36 am
Holy shit. I’m totally going to see this. I am, like, excited to see this. The only thing that gives me pause is Paula Patton – I saw Idlewild, and … no. She’s good in that Robin Thicke video, but then again, all she has to do is flirt with her real-life husband. I agree about Mariah – I did a double-take. I’m actually not surprised about Mo’Nique; I think there’s more there than “Skinny Bitches are Evil.” Looks like a weeper, though. (The counselor says she’s pregnant with her second child and I only saw one baby …)
4 Mark Blankenship // May 26, 2009 at 12:40 pm
JNez, wouldn’t it be awesome if Mo’Nique got an Oscar nomination? It seems possible, especially since Lionsgate is releasing this in the Oscar-friendly season.
Also… Lenny Kravitz is in the movie, too. If CeCe Peniston plays somebody’s auntie, then I’m buying the DVD.
And K., based on the Variety review of the Sundance screening (and Sasha’s comment on the book), I’m fully expecting this movie to be the weeper of the year. But good tears.
Here’s the Variety review, which hints at the baby issue you noticed in the trailer:
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=review&id=2471&reviewid=VE1117939367
5 Carol Elaine // May 28, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I actually want to see this too, which is surprising because I tend to shy away from anything with Oprah’s name attached to it. But it looks brutal and beautiful – sign me up.
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