'Precious' is a critically acclaimed movie that is capable of evoking bittersweet feelings in the harshest of critics. The movie’s content and structure can leave the viewer with a sense of hopelessness, empathy and self-efficacy or a synthesis of these emotions. This Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry produced movie is poignant, but harsh.

The protagonist in the film story is a sixteen year old female – Precious – whom life dealt a ‘bad hand.’ Precious goes through a series of misery; sexual, verbal, emotional and physical abuse by her mother - Mary, disdain by strangers and repeated rape and impregnation by her father who gives her HIV. Her dilemma is further augmented by poverty and a black heritage in pitiful Harlem during the 1980s. Although, fortunate to escape HIV, one of Precious two inbred children is Down syndrome. Precious moments of salvation is garnered through compassion from a teacher, social worker and during fantasies, where she envisions her ideal life.

I am a supporter and critic of this movie. I am a proponent because the movie portrays the pros and cons of living in the ‘system'. It is a story of resilience and adversity that some viewers can identify with. Precious is a victim of her circumstances, but it is the same system that nurtures her into independence and breaks the cycle of abuse. Her teacher equips her with the knowledge and wisdom to terminate the abusive legacy and boost her self-confidence. Through the Social Worker, Mary is forced to confront and explain her cruelty and empathizes with her daughter during the process. Precious is a strong character, who devles into befitting fantasies to maintain her sanity and optimism when in a dilemma. Despite her plight, she dares to make friends and takes pride in her appearance. She remains poignant and sweet in the midst of her ordeal.

I am an opponent of this movie for several reasons. Precious does not get a fairytale ending, but ventures into the world as an HIV positive woman and a single mother. This is quite uncharacteristic of a Tyler Perry produced movie. Precious' harsh realities have an underlying theme of condemnation for the ‘black man’. While some individuals feel compassion and are inclined to support, others are unable to identify with her atrocities and stereotype blacks as a result. The comments from negative reviewers reflect exacerbated fear and concern for individual and family safety in public and an augmented dogma of blacks as those always seeking a handout. However, statistics show that African Americans are outnumbered by their white counterparts for social welfare services. The movie also portray a disparity between races, where 'lighter skin' individuals are idiolize or function in socially superior roles.

The New York Press posted the following review. "Shame on Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey for signing on as air-quote executive producers of 'Precious' ... Not since 'The Birth of a Nation' has a mainstream movie demeaned the idea of black American life as much as 'Precious.' Full of brazenly racist cliches ... it is a sociological horror show, racist hysteria masquerading as social sensitivity ..."
For more reviews and comments, see; http://www.daemonsmovies.com/2009/11/06/precious-movie-review/
The movie makes me wonder ‘Why’? Why does Precious with such a sweet nature; thoughtful and poetic but tough and courageous is unable to save herself but is given a death sentence for her dignity. She has the aptitude for happiness, kindness and love but does not get a platform for expression. Why did self-efficacy or fate lead to the liberation of the protagonists in the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ but left Precious in bondage