Directed by: Lee Daniels
Written by: Geoffrey Fletcher & Sapphire
Other cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd, Stephanie Andujar, & Lenny Kravitz
Release date: November 20, 2009
Genre: Drama
Running time: 1h 50m
Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece "Precious" Jones can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother. Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain, Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination.
Photos
Taglines
The Longest Journey Begins With A Single Step.
Life is Precious.
Trivia
Helen Mirren was originally cast as Mrs. Weiss, but dropped out. Mariah Carey was chosen as a replacement by director Lee Daniels only two days before the film went into production. Daniels has stated that he chose Carey based on her performance in Tennessee (2008), which he produced.
In one of her meetings with her social worker, played by Mariah Carey, Precious asks “What color are you anyway, you some type of Black or Spanish?” Carey, who is of mixed ancestry (Irish, Black, Venezuelan), is often the subject of “what is she” speculation and discussion.
Character Quotes
Mary: We would, we would, uh, start doin’ it, and he reached over… and he touched my baby. And I asked him, and I said “Carl, what are you doing”? And he told me to shut, to shut my fat ass up, and it was good for her.
Mrs. Weiss: And what did you do then?
Mary: I shut my fat ass up. And I don’t want you to sit there and judge me, Miss Weiss.
Mrs. Weiss: [Angrily] You shut up and you let him abuse your daughter.
Mary: I didi not want him to abuse my daughter. I did not want him to hurt her.
Mrs. Weiss: [Overlapping with Mary’s voice] But you ALLOWED him to hurt her!
Mary: I did not want him to do nothin’ to her. I wanted him to make love to me. That was my man. That was my fuckin’ man. That was my man, and he wanted my daughter. And that’s why I hated her. Because my man who was supposed to be loving me, who was supposed to be making love to me was fucking my baby. And she made him leave. She made him go away.
Mrs. Weiss: So whose fault was that?
Mary: It’s this bitch’s fault, because she let my man have her. And she didn’t say nothin’, she didn’t scream, she didn’t do nothin’. So, those things that she told you I did to her? Who… who… who else was going to love me? Hmmm? Since you got your degree, and you know every fuckin’ thing, who was gonna love me? Who… who… was gonna make me feel good? Who was gonna touch me, and make me feel good late at night? And she made him go away. So… when you sit there, and you writin’ them fuckin’ notes on your pad about who you think I am, and why I did it and all of that… because I didn’t have a man.
Mrs. Weiss: You know, let’s talk about your father. Tell me about your relationship with him.
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: I don’t know much more than you do, Mrs. White.
Mrs. Weiss: That’s Mrs. “Weiss.” Talk to me about the little you do know about your father. It is important, whether you know it or not.
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: He give me his baby and my one before it, but I don’t never see him…
Mrs. Weiss: Wait, what did you say he gave you?
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: Nothing.
Mrs. Weiss: Wait, Clareece, you just said your father gave you something…
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: Nothing.
Mrs. Weiss: No, I HEARD you just say…
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: You didn’t hear shit.
Mrs. Weiss: I heard you just say your father…
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: You didn’t hear shit like it!
Mrs. Weiss: I don’t care, honey! I need to know this!
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: [Overlapping with Mrs. Weiss’ voice] I didn’t say nothing like it! Let’s move ON!
Mrs. Weiss: I need this to HELP you…
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: [Angrily] Bitch, can we change the subject?
Mrs. Weiss: [tossing her file aside] Okay. Well, I’ll see you next time then. Or maybe you’ll see someone else. But you’re going to have to talk to someone if you want your check, sweetie.
[Long pause, whilst Clareece considers this]
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: I see vampires too…
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: You don’t even like me.
Mrs. Weiss: Have we not been in this room together for like, a year discussing your life?
Clareece ‘Precious’ Jones: Does that mean we like each other because we discussing my life?
Mrs. Weiss: [Smiling] Well, I can’t speak for you. I can only speak for me, and I like you. I do.
Mary: You got this bitch looking at me like I’m some kind of fucking monster.
Mrs. Weiss: We don’t talk like that in my office.