PopEater Fans React: Is 'Precious' Overrated?

The film centers around Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a 16-year old African-American girl born into a life of poverty in Harlem. It follows her struggle to overcome both the emotional and physical abuse she suffers at the hands of her mother (Mo'Nique), whose daily routine consists of watching daytime TV, smoking cigarettes and ordering around her daughter. Then, Claireece becomes pregnant -- again -- by her father and is on the verge of being kicked out of school. As the story continues, it shows an honest depiction about growing and overcoming life's toughest obstacles.

The dark film had our PopEater fans talking. Twitter fan @buzzmusic said, "Precious was amazing! The writing and the acting was brillant. If Monique doesn't get some awards, I'll be shocked. Bravo for sure!"

Facebook fan Bea Panda said, "I loved it, and it's true to life," citing it would be a "strong Oscar contender in various categories... The whole theater was moved by it and some even cried. Overrated is out of the question. It's an excellent movie. Best I've seen in years."

Other fans liked the movie, but said the book was definitely better. Facebook fan Brittanie Tarumoto advised, "Watch the movie first. You will disappointed when you read then watch. It strays a little from the original storyline."

Facebook fan, Tangela Franklin said, "The story line is something we all know too well, but it did not live up to all the hype."



Critics seemed split on the drama as well. New York Press chastised Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey for their overwhelming support of the film, calling it a "con job."

"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 ... Sidibe and Mo'Nique give two-note performances: dumb and innocent, crazy and evil. Monique's do-rag doesn't convey depths within herself, nor does Mariah Carey's fright wig."

But on the other hand, renowned movie critic Roger Ebert praised the film, giving it four stars. "A great American film that somehow finds an authentic way to move from [bleak] beginnings to an inspiring ending. Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, a young actress in her debut performance ... is heartbreaking as Precious. Three other actresses [Mo'Nique, Paula Patton and Mariah Carey] perform so powerfully in the film that academy voters will be hard-pressed to choose among them," he said.

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