The "Precious" phenomenon

No other movie this season has kept people talking and buzzing as much as “Precious: Based on the Novel by Sapphire”, directed by Lee Daniels. From the day the film was shown as the Sundance Film Festival back in January (where it won the Audience Award, the Jury Prize and the Special Jury Prize), its popularity among critics, award watchers and moviegoers has sky rocketed.

Opening in smaller festivals live Sundance or Toronto is usually a big test for not too mainstream movies. On one hand, they need to be good or profitable to assure a distribution in American. On the other hand, if they are indeed great, they star generating buzz and gain that power that can give them the edge at the final stretch in awards season.

“Precious” is said to be this year's “Slumdog Millonaire”. The Danny Boyle's film opened in the Toronto Film Festival on September 2008, captivating both audiences and critics. From there the movie went on to being a global hit box-office wise; to sweeping in awards season, earning nine Academy Awards, and to being remembered as one of the most pleasing and satisfaying movies in quite some time. “Precious” is poised to do the same. It was received with an standing ovation in the Cannes Film Festival and it's already won audience and jury awards in the San Sebastian Film Festival, Dauville Film Festival and Stockholm Film Festival.

The story revolves around a young black girl, Precious, who has suffered miserably during her young life. Her mother beatens her; her father raped her whe she was little, and she is also poor, angry, illiterate and has nothing to fight for, nothing that matters.

Stand up comedian Mo-nique plays the brutal mother, and Gabourey Sabide plays the title character. Supporting roles are played by a de-glammed Mariah Carey or by the famous musician Lenny Kravitz. Oscar watchers predict Mo-nique is for sure going to be nominated and is a show-in for the win. Gabourey is also said to be the frontrunner at this point in the Best Actress Race. And even if it might sound surprising, many Oscar gurus are predicting the diva Mariah Carey to be nominated in the Supporting Actress category.

This is being called by many the best picture of the year, so it's a movie no one can miss.