Jezebel 
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New York, 12:08 AM
Wed Nov 25
62 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/19/09
11/18/09
YES! I loathe movies where the female character's life changes for the better/improves mainly because she falls in love, gets married, loses weight, transforms into a beautiful swan. Basically these women have conformed to some societal ideal (be it beauty/relationship standards) and now they deserve to be happy.
In terms of our pop culture (music, books, songs), I'd have to think have to think hard to come up with these kinds of example. I really love this message.
11/18/09
I doubt Precious will come to any theaters less than two hours from me, because where I live sucks. But I'm really torn about seeing it, regardless. I just don't know if I can put myself through that. I feel like it's something I ought to do as a self-improvement exercise (I haven't been made to feel that way, I just do) kind of like An Inconvenient Truth. Which I haven't seen yet either, which I feel like makes me a Bad Liberal.
11/18/09
It does bother me that people that, to date, haven't given a shit about girls like Precious SUDDENLY are so sympathetic to their plight. People who have never volunteered, people who have argued against their taxes going to welfare, people who are against a public option for health care, people who argue a difference between rape and "rape-rape", people who make fun of the obese are suddenly appalled by the situation Precious is in. Fuck you, you are a part of the problem. You helped create this rape culture that makes it difficult for women to speak out. You don't want women like Precious to have access to good health care. You don't get to protest the building of a half-way house in your neighborhood and then claim to be moved by Precious' plight.
I think that a lot of people of all races are using their movie ticket as a badge to prove they care, and that is bullshit, but it's a problem with the viewers, not the film.
11/18/09
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11/19/09
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11/18/09
But these criticisms are ringing false to me. Milloy's argument is that black people with horrific lives make white people feel better. I'm sure there are people who see the character as other, but tragic films always have the potential to make people feel better by comparison whether it is Schindler's List or Precious. Does Milloy want these movies to only be made with white actresses? That doesn't seem like a solution to the problem of race in America.
I'm not sure if Saar is a detractor of the film. Does she really want people to make films about girls who are abused, end up in jail and have no future other than exploitation and prison? While that might be more accurate, I can't see that working in anything but a documentary. Films usually have some kind of problem resolution and can open dialogue without showing the common result of a situation.
She is right that social class is a hugely protective factor, but I really wonder about that 1 in 3 statistic. I thought the 1 in 4 number included childhood sexual violence.
11/18/09
The problem I have with many reviewers of the film is their stubborn focus on the things they feel are potentially "up for consumption" while ignoring the greater, more powerful message.
11/18/09
WRONG. It is in every way a fairy tale - it is a freaking MOVIE. With ACTORS, a DIRECTOR, a DP, an EDITOR, PRODUCERS, MARKETERS, etc etc. Such a dumb angle for criticism.
Still, controversy is good for business, and it's nice to see something worthwhile do well out of it, for a change, as opposed to the Jon-and-Kate-and-Speidi-and-Palin-and-Prejeanasaurus monster.
11/18/09
Which they might have in a black audience too, I don't know. But it still made me feel more sensitive about it...
After the film Lee Daniels entered the stage to answer some questions. When asked why he chose to change Blu Rain from dark skinned to light skinned I was really interested in hearing the answer, since I think Blu's dark skin in the book was quite important. And he just said that only percent had criticized him for that, so Fuck Them. At which point everyone laughed again.
11/18/09
11/18/09
While that doesn't speak to your point of "othering", I guess my point is that people of different colors and ages seem to find this movie difficult (as they should, IMO) and audience reactions are likely to reflect that on many levels.
11/18/09
11/18/09
On the other hand, it might have been me projecting my own fears - as in me wondering if that's the reason they were laughing, even though they might have just reacted on the absurdity.
But thanks for offering some perspective, I do feel lots better now :)
11/18/09
#tips
11/18/09
11/18/09
As an abuse survivor, what hurt me most was hearing laughter during scenes with Precious and her mom, not only during verbal abuse but also the worst of the physical.
I can only guess that it may be because most depictions we see of dominant large mothers (especially POc, thanks to cheap Hollywood stereotypes) have been played for laughs in sitcoms and comedies. The Big Mama who yells and throws things really has a big heart, right? Not. But to hear laughter as I quietly cried and fought triggered flasbacks was pretty demoralizing.
I share your disappointment re Blu Rain casting, and it sucks that Daniels blew it off.
Still, I am so moved and grateful that Precious is being seen and is getting the notice that such an amazing character from literature deserves.
11/18/09
But I've heard this question raised on forums like Jezebel for some time, and I doubt tonight was the first time he's gotten it - so how come I haven't read a serious reply anywhere?
11/18/09
Me too, have heard an endless tirade of abuse hurling at me for hours, and I think that for someone who hasn't been through that, it might seem so surreal that it almost becomes funny.
On the other hand, I am also very grateful that this has been made into a movie, and is getting such press. Even if people tonight bothered me in soe of their reactions, I have no doubt that movies like this needs to be seen, to help raise awareness.
11/18/09
[www.nytimes.com]
11/18/09
I would not have faulted Precious for giving up at numerous points in her journey. The fact that she did not is a testament to a strength that's hard to trace in her story -- how someone parented by those who had quit at such an extreme level when she was so young can have the fortitude to do what she began to do, in her situation, at 16, is a testament to the underlying truth that people can persevere and give themselves a chance in any setting.
11/18/09
The girl is still HIV positive and is still struggling to learn.
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11/06/09
11/06/09
I recently read this review ([colorlines.com]) of "Precious "in Colorlines magazine, where the author criticizes Lee Daniels for not fully demonstrating that deeply entrenched social inequity that surrounded black women in Harlem in the 1980's. The author takes issue (and I quote) with "a reliance on the villainization of Black matriarch—rather than a mention of systemic race issues—to make the larger message of "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" more palatable". The author calls this disheartening to see in "Black media" and "irresponsible to the Black community" as it reaffirms stereotypes.
As a direct product of that Harlem generation, I understand what the author is getting at...but I think it misses the point. Does Sapphire accomplish this systemic approach overview in "Push"? Is this really Lee Daniel's responsibility? And do we really want all black filmmakers to take on this responsibility? I don't want to deny the legitimacy of the authors' critique, but I would love for you to weigh in (and other Jezzies!). What's most frustrating is that the author doesn't really say how Daniel's could have effectively portrayed all of these systemic disparities and stayed true to an individualistic narrative. I also don't know if Daniel's is the best person to tell our collective stories in all the ways that it needs to be told.
Would love to hear thoughts, comments, etc.... #preciousmovie
11/06/09
11/06/09