Precious vs The Opposite Of Sex

You’ve probably already seen The Opposite of Sex. If not, do: it’s a good time. The main character, Dede, is mean, sarcastic, intelligent, corrupt, hilarious, horny, greedy, and most importantly, unapologetic about all of the above. In one scene, apropos of nothing, she walks past a bicycle propped against a tree and knocks it over. Dede is pregnant, and lying about it, partially because it’s fun to mess with people, but mainly because she wants money from her rich half-brother. Dede is played by Christina Ricci, in a performance that officially retired her from her precocious child actor days. The Opposite of Sex is flawed, but Ricci’s performance is jaw-dropping. Not only does she manage to make Dede sympathetic despite having no conscience, she narrates The Opposite of Sex like someone who’s already seen it and thought it was stupid. And you’ve rarely seen a character or an actor this comfortable in her own skin. The Opposite of Sex came out at the height of the straw-thin actress trend, but Dede is S-shaped from every angle. Oh, and she doesn’t learn a single thing in The Opposite of Sex, and is probably going to teach her kid to be a smart-ass con artist just like mommy.

Try and think of Dede while you’re watching Precious. You’re gonna need her.

It’s clear from the opening credits that Precious is the superior movie, but it’s also clear that its focus is on a girl so troubled, so literally beaten down that she barely opens her mouth to speak, walks with a shuffle, and lives half in a fantasy world. Precious is pregnant with her second child (both from family rape), can’t read, and is constantly humiliated and abused by her mother. Tyler Perry and Oprah are among the film’s producers, but it’s vital to note that neither had a single thing to do with any creative aspect behind the making of Precious. This means that a. Precious doesn’t somehow graduate from Harvard or write a book or something later that summer, and b. She’s played by a girl.

Precious is played by Gabourie Sibide, in her film debut. I’ve seen Sibide on a few talk shows promoting Precious, so I knew going in that the actress is essentially the opposite of her character. What surprised me was the absence of any kind of visible performance. Precious feels like the subject of a documentary, shuffling through her life, dodging punches (sometimes), going to school and just sitting there, living in fear of her mother for so long she’s barely living at all. Wanna hear about her mother? She’s fun.

Mo’Nique plays the mother, Mary. All the attention on her is the usual thing about how impressive it is that a comedian is believable in a dramatic role. I think it’s impressive when anyone is believable in any kind of role, so that kind of talk is lost on me. Also, I don’t think Mo’Nique is that funny. She’s tremendous in Precious, though. This is one of the great screen villains, on a par with Nurse Ratched or Hannibal Lecter, only not fun. At all. Mo’Nique’s Mary is a monster. She’s as beaten down by the system and her past as anyone, but Mary is also playing the system to her benefit (she uses Precious and her baby for extra welfare), does nothing for herself, and is trying to kill her daughter. Precious isn’t just slapped around. Her life is in danger. A couple times during the movie, I thought we might get a title card reading, “And then Precious died. The end.” At one point, Mary’s actions are so confusing and creepy, the screen goes dark for a few seconds, before transitioning into another scene. Good thing, since I would have closed my eyes anyway.

Director Lee Daniels uses that same tactful hand in a lot of the more taxing and shocking moments in Precious. Much of the abuse comes across loud and clear, but just as much is edited away, with fade-outs, quick cuts, slow motion and the use of audio instead of visuals. We’re also helped by the fantasy world Precious flees to when life is too hard. Precious envisions herself as rich and famous, always on a red carpet, or in front of a wind machine for a fashion shoot. She has a boyfriend, legions of fans, and cameras flashing in her face. It’s how she copes with the horrors of her life, and it’s how we cope with watching them.

The other saving graces, to Precious and the movie, come in her support system outside the home. Three adults provide comfort, information and friendship Precious isn’t like to find anywhere else.  Paula Patton plays her teacher, Ms. Rain, in my favorite performance of the film. The Teacher Who Changes Lives is a movie cliché at this point, but Patton finds dignity and vulnerability in Ms. Rain’s job. She’s not the savior of the movie. She doesn’t get a confrontation with Precious’ mother. She’s not a miracle worker. She’s smart and compassionate though, and gives the viewer a way into the story from a perspective of something other than vicarious pain. Ms. Rain is concerned for Precious, and has practical advice that just might keep her alive long enough to raise her baby, if not become the subject of a red carpet photo call. Lenny Kravitz (I know), plays Precious’ nurse, and Mariah Carey (I know, I know) plays her social worker. And now I will type a sentence that I never thought I’d type: Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey are in a movie together, and they are fantastic.

So yes, the hype around Precious is justified, but so are the warnings about content. It’s harsh, my friends. And it’s likely you’ll be frustrated at times that, while Precious has survival skills, hardly any of them involve speaking up or fighting back. She’ll make you glad you met Dede first. She’s obnoxious, but whether or not she hits back is never in question.

Precious: A

The Opposite of Sex: B