Have you watched Precious?
March 12, 2010 by Phathu
“I would like to thank the Academys for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics. I want to thank Miss Hattie McDaniel for enduring all that she had to, so that I would not have to. Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, because you touched it, the whole world saw it. Ricky Anderson, our attorney of Anderson & Smith, thank you for your hard work. My entire BET family, my Precious family, thank you so much. To my amazing husband Sidney, thank you for showing me that sometimes you have to forgo doing what’s popular in order to do what’s right. And baby, you were so right. God bless us all”
That was Mo’nique’s acceptance speech at the Oscars last Sunday, where she won for best supporting actress in the movie Precious. My friend forced me to go watch Precious with him last Friday and after watching the movie, I knew that the little golden statuette had her name on it. Hollywood is a strange beast, it will churn out mindless movies like Percy and the Lighting rod one after the other, and right in the middle of all that garbage, it will produce something so moving and profound like Slumdog millionaire – that will have the whole world taking.
Precious is now one of those movies that will forever be part of black cinema culture. It is emotionally moving and captivating, it is not a light popcorn movie but a speed train that will have you asking for more. I am not going to review the movie for you, but rather give you reasons why you SHOULD watch it this weekend.
Mo’nique’s sheer acting brilliance will humble you and move your soul. The woman took the role and embraced it, she made it her own and that is what actors do, good actors that is. As the bitter dysfunctional mother whose cruelty can even shock the SPCA, I found myself feeling sorry for her. She reminded me of hundreds and hundreds of other black women all over the world, who are victims of circumstances. I can watch the movie hundred times, just to marvel at how she deliverers those swearing monologues that have more profanity than any Ludacris song.
You do not need a big budget to make a successful movie – story is king. People always ask me what makes a good movie or drama series and my answer has always been the same. People do not go to the cinema to watch lighting or sets and props – they go for the story, be it action, fantasy or comedy. Precious is not a big Hollywood movie, just an independent that was probably made with a budget less than a single Grey’s Anatomy episode. You just have to watch the movie to see that they had limited resources, but that did not limit Lee Daniels’ creativity. He made do with what he had and delivered a masterpiece, an emotional rhapsody.
I hope South African directors who are first to whine about lack of funding can take this as an example, tell your story – tell it the way you want to, hell I will edit your script for free and ask some of my friends to write it for free, just tell you story.
I am putting my stamp of approval on Precious, go watch it and forever be changed.
Have you watched Precious?
By Phathu Makwarela ©
Sbozh on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:23 am
. . . emotion provoking, seemed awkward at the beginning but I still couldn’t stop watching because of great acting. I got into it & found myself with fists clenched – her father & mom should burn in hell !!!
soul sista on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:24 am
Yeah, Phathu I watched Precious last yr…LOL
It’s a good movie & I learnt a lot from it. It is one of those movies that makes me appreciate whatever I have & stop whining because there are people out there who have way too many problems.
By the way when is this thing of movies showing 4 months in SA after they opened overseas? It’s about time the so called globalisation applies.
Lela on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:31 am
Guys whateva u do no spoilers tu,i rly need 2 see this movie.
Brown Shuga on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:38 am
I’m going to watch it this Saturday, 17:45 @ Eastgate Lela… let’s go. Invite is open to anyone of you bloggers. I’m just wondering why it’s R96 for 2 tickets?????????????????
Bee on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:44 am
@Lela. gal you definately want to see this movie. Its nyce bt too sad and emotional, i went to see when the day it came out. Oh ja small budget i ddnt know about but now that u r mentioning it it explains why the film ended that way.
Phatu LOL @Terry’s speech. I heard his other movie is also coming out yini konje ‘Why did i get married too’. When is it coming out Phatu?
soul sista on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:47 am
Ok Lela you dont have to go see a movie while I’m still around and can narrate like my grandma used to do…here we go:
The movie is set in ….LMAO
Go watch it you wont regret it….
@BS, is the ticket on you or should the invited blogger pay for his/her own ticket?
Lela on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:48 am
Only if u r paying,will pick me up,drop me off n arrange a baby sitter or else hw am i supposed 2 come 2 eastgate at that time of d day 4rm honeydew nogal?lol,ndiyadlala bt east gate is far so i wl go 2 cresta n it wl hv 2b ds wkend b4 people spoil it 4 me.
Bee on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:48 am
Lol@ soul sista.
Lela on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:52 am
Oh Bee ngathi uyandazi indlela endintemntem ngayo andizulila apho dats why i hv 2 go alone. Lol @ Soulsista.
soul sista on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:53 am
@Lela by the end of the day them bloggers will have spoilt it for you. In the evening you will know the entire plot by heart…LOL just make sure that you dont read this post anymore
Bee on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:01 am
Tru dat Soul sista people like ooNonkawu gona make you not want to watch da movie Lol. Nkawuza where r you gal hehehe!
LM on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:04 am
I definitely wanna watch this but I’m frustrated by the distributors or buyers. why is it showing at selected few cinemas?eastgate,sandton city,montecasino & maponya mall. not even at emperors place,eastrand mall or greenstone mallnyana…aowa batho! BS, it starts at 5pm not 5:45pm
Brown Shuga on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:16 am
Heh, LM, I keep forgetting that there’s a cinema at Emperors, yazi.
Anyway, thanks, I checked the Ster kinekor site will confirm the time.. Hayi Soul Sista, i’m a single mother, can’t be buying bloggers tickets… I’m offering them company qha & we can have drinks afterwards plus Eastgate has that new refurbished wing, looks really great with all those restaurants etc.. … heheh
Back to the topic:
Nice review Phathu, Now I want to see it.
How was Mariah Carey’s perfomance? On 2nd thoughts, please don’t spoil it for us…sizombona khona!
Cheesa on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:22 am
Heee I wanted to go see this movie last Sunday tjo angaze ngagula the way I was Sunday so ended in bed instead. So this weekend I must. I really want to see it in the big screen.
Bee on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:23 am
Lol@ i am single mom can’t be buying bloggers tickets >>> imagine if you had to Ms BS hehehe bendizoshiy’Sandton apha ndiyotshona eEastgate phela these things comes once in a while.
Cheesa on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:26 am
Lol you cant be buying bloggers tickets kwaaaa you are rich ausi you’re an actress too kaloku lol *kidding*
Brown Shuga on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:28 am
hahahahah sorry Bee
GA on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:30 am
oh how i wish to go see it this weekend….but im broke and batho ba bang have been crying brokeness since payday so i cant even ask.
Arg i had this great friend who always had money for movies…used to wish him away,he gone and now i miss him dearly now
GA on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 3:13 am
oh and im love love with Gaby…her sense of humour is contageous.Love her personality. Seen so many of her interviews i think watching her in precious will be an experience…
soul sista on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 5:31 am
C’mon Bs you can try coming up with another convincing line than that of being a single mom…LOL
Hope you all enjoy the movie!!
Today I’m going to be fasting/dieting (no JC) So help me Ghad!!
Nonkawu on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 6:48 am
Kwakwakwa @ Bee uyaz uyangsukela? Lol, i havent watched the movie too. I couldnt attend the Premiere coz somethin more productive came up nge last minute. I also want to watch it, AND SOON before the likes of Sponono mess it up..lol.This weekend i am fully booked in the evenings maybe i can watch it durin the day instead.. BS i would love to join u bt 17:45 is late fo me.Lela i will also watch it @ Cresta bt am not sure saturday or sunday emini.. I cant stopped laughing at Lela’s conditions to BS about going to Eastgate…uBS has to pick her up,drop her off,pay for the ticket,popcorn,drinks n organize a baby sitter (kante uphi umtu wethu? its hs job to babysit @ times like these) if u don stay 2gether then go dump the baby kwakhe..lol. Lela u are too demanding maan..tjo tjo tjo mfazi.
xaluva on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 7:47 am
Phathu u know I had a problem with ending.
The only thing I loved about the film is the acting and the storyline. Its a Good Movie tho
Makgotso on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 7:49 am
I will definately watch it
sponono on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 7:57 am
Nonkawu…smh whadayamean I’ll mess it up…..as a matter of fact..I’ve been looking foward to this movie for more than a year since i heared bout it…neeways that Gerbey Sedibe girl is quite big…FAT actaully, and I wonder if since she pulled the role so well are they gonna be sending “Fat” roles her way or is she planning to loose all that weight that she had before the movie..coz its just NOT healthy..and if she looses the weight is she REALLY a good actress without playing Fatso…JUst a thought…LOL
xaluva on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 8:02 am
@ BS , u’ll barely recognise Maria..
Dladla on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 8:22 am
I saw the movie a long time ago, too. LOL…
Anyway, it’s a good movie, especially if one is the kind of person who cried when watching Titanic.
However, as much as I love Oprah, and Perry, there is a rumour that’s been floating regarding the two of them/their relationships (or lack of, from Perry’s side). I didn’t want to believe it at first, but these days, I am seeing things. LOL’
Anyway, I have the Precious DVD. Who wants to borrow it? LOL’
Lehakoe on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 8:35 am
I went to watch the movie. Its a fantastic movie with a great plot and even further made phenomenal by their outstanding acting capacities. I have to concur with Sponono, tjerr that gal is fat and needs to lose a couple of stones. Haai phela she’s too much. Another thing is just how ugly she is. She reminded me of Notorious B.I.G. and I found myself frowning wenever they showed her face.
Mo’niques role was delivered superbly. And how she delivered those swearing scenes. Tjo i ddnt knw ppl cud be that profane . Made me cringe. Great movie. A must see.
Nonkawu on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 8:50 am
Dladla,STOP promoting piracy wena.
Ratoo on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:11 am
this is worth watching it a timeless movie
Ratoo on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:12 am
i saw the movie in November already. mara 4those who havnt seen it yet its worth it
Tjo on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:16 am
BS have you heard Zola’s new song? Iyo! I could swear some of his lyrics are directed at you hey.
GA on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:24 am
haibona Sponono le Lehakoe….tlogelang ngwano mong.
I love Gaby just as she is. Period. She has lost some weight since then tho’…but i love that she loves herself as she is and she will loose the weight as and when she is ready…
Brown Shuga on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:31 am
Tjo, you’re the second person to tell me that today… what is the song called? Where did you hear it? WHat does it say?
Imagine a song about me? What an honour… (nobandiyathukwa)
Brown Shuga on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:32 am
LOL @ Sponono….yhu hayi kodwa bathong lol
Tjo on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:37 am
Dnt know what its called bt its abt women who behave manley if im not mistaken. Heard it on Y this morning… bt none the less.. If it is abt u.. Ithi.. ure beautiful n all bt ure not his type..lol.. also says.. your young bt the body is old.. some crap like that.
alikho on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:46 am
I’m in, do advise of the time and place (Emperos/Eastgate) BS…i luv Mo’nique and the way she delivers her lines on any performance…unfortunately did not watch the Oscars…but Thanks Phathu – great review
PS: your writing style is out of this world…keep it up
Nonny on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 10:54 am
How was Mariah Carey’s perfomance? On 2nd thoughts, please don’t spoil it for us…sizombona khona!>> Her acting is just nje, nothing amazing, but she looks terrible without make-up, u would never say it’s the the fake Maraiah we know from her music videos.
Precious can act bandla, kodwa I am with Sponza I am also seriously concerned abt her weight, heyi I am sure iphelayonke insipho megeza. She must be careful she is way to young to be that big.
Zandi! on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 10:58 am
Lol at the song(yu beautifl & ol bt yu’ve gt an old body) qaba elinguzolo umzimba awumdalanga yifitness le ikuBS nanike nayibona eka Nonkawu?
kk on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 12:19 pm
The most over rated black movie I have ever watched. It took me more than 5 days to watch it cause I kept falling asleep. The end was obvious but they kept going up and down until it got to where I expected it.Its the kind of a movie where you get shocked when it ends cause you expected more from it. Monique and Sidibe acts well but not the best acting I have seen.
If oprah and tyler did not put their names on this movie, it wouldnt have been talked about so much. I’ve got a copy for those who dnt have money to go to the cinema,just halla,will make a plan.
I suggest peeps watch “gifted hands” and tell me if it aint better than “precious”
BuhleFab on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 12:40 pm
The movie was too hectic-nyana but i enjoyed the performances and i loved the ending although i didnt see it coming.
Bee on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:18 pm
Tjo ndiyavala ngoZola i do have the Cd and the song is number8 called Amablumas. It talks about whole lotta things the line you wer looking for : ‘Naledwedwe eyincane zikhuluma vele-vele ngathi nguMfazi o-devorsile mama ngeke ng’kushele. Ofcourse umuhle mara intsila emva kwe ndlebe lapho ngekhe ng’khone phu ngase ng’hlanze. Ma ng’khumbula umncane mara umzimb’ugugile, uy’skosko embhedeni mara udom eskoleni. So I hostly don think it was dedicated to u Ms BS becoz the album came out last year already(before the whole saga yeEX).
Bee on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 1:25 pm
@Phatu what do you thk of the ending yaPrecious?
Enkosi on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:06 pm
LOL till no end @ Mzolisto singing about “intsila” of other people. Kahlen’bo!!!
Enkosi on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:08 pm
Will go watch Precious by myself on Sunday morning even though I’m generally not a movies person.
syamthandaskota on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 2:24 pm
i watched the movie and its emotionally movind, indeed. you guys should go watch it…ja i did get a bit emotional there, domestic violence and abuse can really work on my nervous system. mariah carey looks good without make up coz she’s a mere social worker there and her voice is amazing…so DEEP!
Naomi on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 3:18 pm
<<>>Hihihi…talk about irony.
My bf has had the bootleg for quite some time now, I think its time I watched it,plus motho o broke no plans this weekend.
Lela on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 4:00 pm
Lol Nonkawu,we stay 2getha bt u knw uba liphupha ufumana ababhuti baculayo endlini on a weekend so if i hv 2 go anywhe ngeweekend i arrange a babysitter when i hv money if im broke i go wt my trailer. Nw i cnt go wt her 2d movies n im broke bt i hv 2 watch ds movie.
Nonny on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 4:59 pm
Guys mina I don’t even remember the entire movie, why are people making so much of a big deal of it?
Bee on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 5:13 pm
Nonny U probably fell asleep at Cinema while u were watchg it.
Nonkawu on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 5:32 pm
Lol @ Nonny falling asleep at the movies mara wena Bee,i give up strue..lol Lela,askies wethu then u are stuck @ home with the bambino ths weekend..kanti when are meeting? U guys we should organize ebraainyana just to get together neh?
KK on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 5:54 pm
Nonny,u not the only one. The movie is so boring,not sure why is everyone goin on about it. Hope BS creates another thread after everone has watched it.
At the cinema to watch “shutter islands”, hope its nice…
olebogeng on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 6:45 pm
Ok Precious was a nice movie.. except that I kept falling asleep & waking up & it was still playing ( was watching it wid a friend over a few heinekens..ehhmm) anyways ya.. kept waking up & wondering if the DVD had started from the beggining or wat. but nonetheless it was a good movie! Speaking of which, has any1 seen “woman thou art loosed”? Very good TD. Jakes Movies.. sumthing along the lines of precious too..
Lela on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 6:56 pm
Nonkawu we were gonna meet ds sunday bt im goin 2 eastern cape my best frend is gtn married n ndibuya nge month end so wl mt afta dat bt d braainyana is a gud idea tana. Bendizothi siyenze apha kwam bt we only hv a 2 seater couch n 4 plates n 4 glasses. Iyadi inkulu indlu incinci,lol. Lets arrange guys id like meet ur crazy selves. Any1 wt a venue dn thina sizorholisa ngezinye izinto.
segs on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 7:20 pm
yah, go wtch it… IT is a must see..
segs on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 7:21 pm
Olebogeng – Where did you see “woman thou art loosed” and where do we see or get it?
olebogeng on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 7:46 pm
@segs I got the DVD from a friend of mine.. twas a gift- I think u could find it @ music or video stores just not too sure. It starrs that kimberley wat wat chick from set it off le bo TD jakes and a sum people from a couple of Tyler Perry’s movies.
Lela on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 8:25 pm
I saw it Ole and I was crying through out. I want to get it now for another friend of mine who is bitter at her mom who was very abusive to her and she was raped by an uncle who said I knw ur mother hates you so don’t even try and tell her. so her story just reminded me of that Woman thou art loosed movie,gr8 movie indeed.
Phathu Makwarela on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:27 pm
Bee….I was not that dissapointed by the ending…i dont think this was a dramatic movie, but more of an emotional one…so the ending kind of pan itself out,,there realy is no climax after what Precious went through.
olebogeng on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 9:54 pm
@lela very great indeed.. im sure yo friend will appreciate it very much.
Brown Shuga on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 11:01 pm
LMAO @ LElA’s 2 seater couch, 4 plates etc kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa
Lela on Sat, 13th Mar 2010 2:34 am
Sundihleka ke tana BS inzima lento, when we have visitors we both sit on the matless floor and play with the child while the two visitors enjoy our two sitter, we are limited to two visitors at a time we can’t invite more thsn that cz even iplate ziyi4,lol. Ninganikela ke bazalwane, starting with a mat cz kuza iwinter.
nan on Sat, 13th Mar 2010 6:03 pm
Tjo am gonna take my sidekicks to go watch this yazi
blakrose on Sun, 14th Mar 2010 7:51 pm
okay, i just watched this movie, i do not get the hype… i wish i just waited for it to come on dvd *sigh*
Cheesa on Sun, 14th Mar 2010 9:12 pm
I hope there will be another article on ‘how the movie was’ after everyone has seen it. Hayi shame after all the hype about I expected too much from the movie. I agree with those who say its overrated. It didn’t blew me away.
My Precious View | Just Curious on Mon, 15th Mar 2010 3:10 am
[...] Warning: Post contain spoilers so if you haven’t watched Precious, rather read THIS. [...]