Achieving Liftoff: Lee Daniels Mines a Brutal Story to Find Something 'Precious'

| Print Post This | Like (3) | Comments (0)

"PRECIOUS" IS LEE DANIELS' film adaptation of the novel "Push," which tells of a Harlem teen's coming of age despite virtually impossible living conditions. The character (played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe) is grimly overweight, has one child with Down syndrome and is carrying another. The father is her own father. She seeks alternative schooling at Each One Teach One, where she meets a teacher (Paula Patton) who helps her to believe in, and unlock, her potential. The film has been championed by Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, but has also resonated across demographics, due in no small part to shattering performances by Mo'Nique, Sidibe and Patton. Express spoke with Daniels and Patton.

» EXPRESS: What was your goal in directing "Precious"?
» DANIELS: I didn't want to manipulate the audience. I knew the audience would expect that — the story is actually very manipulative. But "Precious" is so outrageous and so bold and in your face. ... We found humor, more character in that story.

» EXPRESS: How did you do that?
» DANIELS: Finding the humor is where we're not manipulated. We expect a maudlin lead character. She finds out she has AIDS and next scene, she's actually laughing about something else. She's real.

» EXPRESS: What inspired you to tell this story?
» DANIELS: My mother was like, "Something happened to you! Why can't you make a movie like Tyler Perry? What did I do to you?" I made this movie for her.
» PATTON: I was inspired by my mother. She's a retired high school teacher in Los Angeles. My husband and I were at a party with Lee. And my husband, Robin [Thicke], read the script before I did and said, "You have to do this."

» EXPRESS: What's the reaction been like?
» DANIELS: Tyler [Perry] saw it. He'd been a specific audience. So was Miss Maybelle from church. But with them comes a preconceived notion. I opened myself up and talked about my own life, my insecurities. We don't rehearse. At all. The words are magically executed. Before I yell action, we're on the same syllable. We know each other so intimately.
» PATTON: The performances are just mind-blowing. It's some of the best work I've ever seen. Gabourey Sidibe is brilliant. She changed the way she walked, the way she talked. I wanted to be this character and interact with the other characters, not tackle an issue.
This film breeds love. You will fall in love with Precious. You'll look at your own life in a new way. It's a love letter to our mothers and schoolteachers, our unsung heroes.

Written by Express contributor Christopher Roy Correa
Photo courtesy Lionsgate