Precious

Set in Harlem in 1987, Precious Jones is a 16 year old girl trapped by a harsh world. She lives with a mother who lashes out and an absent father who fathered her unborn child, leaving Precious with little stability. At home she is treated as a servant, while school offers chaos and little support. Hidden from her classmates is a painful secret she cannot read. Despite the odds, Precious endures a series of humiliations and small mercies, clinging to a spark of hope that education could change her life. The story follows her tentative steps toward self expression and dignity as she meets teachers and peers who see promise where others see trouble, and imagines a different future ahead.

Directed by Lee Daniels and adapted from Sapphire's novel Push, the film features a screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher. It marked Daniels's breakout in features and introduced Gabourey Sidibe in the lead, with Mo'Nique delivering a powerhouse supporting performance on screen.

Precious grossed about $47,536,959 worldwide against a $10 million budget, turning a modest art house profile into a notable box office achievement and helping it reach a broad audience across theaters while sparking conversations about its themes.

At awards time the film drew major notice, earning nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress for Gabourey Sidibe and Best Adapted Screenplay, and MoNique eventually won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The film also earned nominations from critics circles and festival circuits, elevating Daniels's profile to a broader audience.

Precious left a lasting imprint on cinema and pop culture, notably for Gabourey Sidibe's breakout performance and Mo'Nique's forceful portrayal of Mary. The film sparked conversations about abuse, literacy, and self worth, and its stark scenes and unsentimental honesty resonated with audiences worldwide, helping push conversations about empowerment worldwide today.