Plot & Details
Monster's Ball producer Lee Daniels follows up his 2005 directorial debut, Shadowboxer, with this adaptation of author Sapphire's best-selling novel about an overweight, illiterate African-American teen from Harlem who discovers an alternate path in life after she begins attending a new school. Clareece "Precious" Jones is only a teenager, yet she's about to give birth to her second child. Unable to read or write, Clareece shows little prospect for the future until discovering that she has been accepted into an alternative school. There, with a little help from a sympathetic teacher (Paula Patton) and a kindly nurse (Lenny Kravitiz), the young girl receives something that most teens never get -- a chance to start over. Mo'nique co-stars in an inspirational drama featuring the debut performance of screen newcomer Gabourey "Gabbie" Sidibe.
- MPAA Rating: R
- Genre(s): Drama
- Run Time: 109min.
- Theatrical Release Date: 11/06/2009
- DVD Release Date: 03/09/2010
- Distributor(s): Lionsgate
- Director(s): Lee Daniels
- Starring: Gabourey Sidibe , Lenny Kravitz , Paula Patton , Mo'Nique , Mariah Carey
- Themes: Starting Over,Teen Pregnancy,Inner City Blues,Rape & Sexual Abuse,Families in Crisis
- Tone: Bittersweet,Compassionate,Poignant,Earnest,Stylized,Dreamlike
- Keywords: African-American,kindness,overweight,school,second-chance,teacher,HIV,alternative-education,child-abuse,classroom,illiteracy,incest,parent/child-relationship,sexual-abuse,welfare [govt. aid]
- Country of Origin: USA - Limited (11-06-2009)
- Language: English
Awards
Academy Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Actress | Gabourey Sidibe | Nominated |
| 2009 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Editing | Joe Klotz | Nominated |
| 2009 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Picture | Gary Magness | Nominated |
| 2009 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Director | Lee Daniels | Nominated |
| 2009 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Adapted Screenplay | Geoffrey Fletcher | Won |
| 2009 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Picture | Sarah Siegel-Magness | Nominated |
| 2009 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Picture | Lee Daniels | Nominated |
| 2009 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Supporting Actress | Mo'Nique | Won |
British Academy of Film and Television Arts
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Best Supporting Actress | Mo'Nique | Won |
| 2009 | British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Best Picture | Nominated | |
| 2009 | British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Best Actress | Gabourey Sidibe | Nominated |
| 2009 | British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Best Adapted Screenplay | Geoffrey Fletcher | Nominated |
Golden Globes
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Hollywood Foreign Press Association | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture | Mo'Nique | Won |
| 2009 | Hollywood Foreign Press Association | Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama | Gabourey Sidibe | Nominated |
| 2009 | Hollywood Foreign Press Association | Best Picture - Drama | Nominated |
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