Reel Critic:

There are primarily two types of movies released during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. The innocuous type is the often sappy family-oriented comedies and animated offerings that flood theaters during the holidays. Thankfully, this is also the time of year where the serious award contenders are released as well.

An early contender for award recognition is “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” Rated R for child abuse, including sexual assault, and pervasive language, “Precious” is not meant to be an uplifting movie about the positive side of human nature.

Set in the mid-1980s in Harlem, “Precious” tells of Claireece “Precious” Jones, a morbidly obese African American who is pregnant with her second child by her biological father. The 16-year-old lives in a rundown tenement with her abusive mother, Mary, (Mo’Nique), who is on welfare. Mary harangues Precious to quit school and apply for her own welfare check.

Struggling in school, Precious is sent to an alternative program called Each One, Teach One, which is housed in a rundown hotel. A committed teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), has Precious and the other troubled young women start keeping journals, to develop their writing skills and to be able to articulate the issues in their lives. Also trying to understand Precious’ abominable situation is social worker Mrs. Weiss, played by an almost unrecognizable Mariah Carey.

Precious’ life is so relentlessly oppressive that it is hard to watch at times. Those of us who live in a bubble of prosperity and opportunity hardly know such hardship exists for a large number of Americans. Progress under these circumstances is measured in tiny increments. A dramatic reversal of fortune is highly unlikely and would be unrealistic if portrayed on the screen.

The performances in “Precious” represent some of the finest in American cinema this year. Gabourey Sidibe is a revelation in the title role. Dismissed as somewhat less than human by her parents, teachers and neighbors, Sidibe’s Precious somehow displays an indomitable human spirit.

However, it is Mo’Nique as Precious’ mother who has the true breakout role. Known as a comic actress and stand-up comedienne, Mo’Nique nonetheless gives a performance sure to be nominated for multiple awards in the coming months. Already a recipient of a Special Jury Prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, Mo’Nique makes a truly monstrous character understandable even though the mother is beyond sympathy.

“Precious” is worth seeing for its acting and engaging, though disturbing, story. It is not entertaining in the classic sense, as it is too disturbing to be enjoyed in that manner. This film is important as it portrays a reality too often ignored. Perhaps it is appropriate at this time of year to be taken out of our comfort zone and be made aware of the enormous challenges faced by others.