Precious is the most basic, extraordinary and humane film of 2009.  After a summer of silliness, Precious arrives as a bracing alternative, powered by jolting performances from Mo’Nique and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe.   It takes viewers inside the tragic life of a teen mother.   It puts a face on poverty, abuse, and perseverance.   Precious offers hard-earned hope amidst overwhelming odds.

I had the privilege of seeing Precious on the night it won the Grand Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.  Director Lee Daniel was delighted to discover that ‘white folk’ liked his unapologetically ‘black’ film.   Initially, it was called Push:  Based upon the Novel by Sapphire.  It arrived at Sundance with little fanfare, but got way under audiences' skin.   Now, the star (and theme) of the film has been pushed to the forefront—everything revolves around Precious.   Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey have added their endorsement.   Viewers have responded by breaking box office records in both upscale art-houses and down-home black theaters.   Just as pundits declared independent film dead, Precious redefines what's possible.