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Trailer

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

2009Movie1 h 50 minR

Drama
80
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.3Metacritic787.7Rotten Tomatoes92%78%

A deeply moving, melancholic drama movie about everyday modern life and family, with standout performances and characters.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you want something to laugh at

Where to watch

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Not for laughs, scares or adrenaline.

Movies with

Story

For precious girls everywhere.

In Harlem in 1987, Claireece "Precious" Jones is a 16-year-old African American girl born into a life no one would want. She's pregnant for the second time by her absent father, and at home she must wait hand and foot on her mother, an angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is chaotic and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and a secret – she can't read.

Feels like

  • Gritty Social Realism
  • Emotional Trauma Drama
  • Powerhouse Lead Performance
  • Abusive Family Dynamics
  • Empowering Coming-of-Age
  • Poverty & Resilience
  • Literary Adaptation
  • Intimate Character Study
  • Unflinching Narrative

Cast

24 of 25

Crew

Directed by
Lee Daniels
Written by
Geoffrey S. Fletcher, Sapphire
Produced by
Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness, Gary Magness
Music by
Mario Grigorov

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 6, 2009 · 1 h 50 min · R

Released
November 6, 2009
Runtime
1 h 50 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Also spoken
Italian
Made in
United States
Budget
$10 million
Box office
$48 million
Available in
44 countries

Tropes

Short Title: Long, Elaborate Subtitle, Living Photo, Ascended Extra +9

  • Short Title: Long, Elaborate Subtitle
  • Living Photo
  • Ascended Extra
  • Middle Name Basis
  • Lazy Bum
  • Lower-Class Lout
  • Hate Sink
  • It's All About Me
  • The Sociopath
  • Apathetic Citizens
  • Masturbation Means Sexual Frustration
  • Stealth Insult

12 of 77 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire?"

Questions about Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire?

KanopyHooplaMovieSphere+Tubi TV

In the United States, Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire streams on MovieSphere+, and it is free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 38 other countries.

Is Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80 (IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 92%, and Metacritic 78).

Is Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Was Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire a box office hit?

Budget$10 million
Box office$48 million

Yes: it cost about $10 million to make and earned $48 million worldwide, 4.8 times its budget.

What tropes does Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire use?

Short Title: Long, Elaborate SubtitleLiving PhotoAscended ExtraMiddle Name BasisLazy BumLower-Class LoutHate SinkIt's All About MeThe SociopathApathetic CitizensMasturbation Means Sexual FrustrationStealth Insultand 65 more

TV Tropes lists 77 tropes for it, including Short Title: Long, Elaborate Subtitle, Living Photo, and Ascended Extra.