Precious: do watch!

Totally grim yet uplifting. Harlem 1987 and an obese 16-year-old black girl Claireece Jones, known as "Precious" - unforgettably played by Gabourey Sidibe. Precious who has a daughter with Down's syndrome by her father is illiterate and abused. Yet through her teacher and learning to write - learning that she is worthy of love - leaving us with hope.

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 91% of 162 critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 7.9 out of 10. Oprah loved it so much she gave up loads of her precious time to promote it - there is something about it that makes you think and possibly cry out 'There but for the grace of God go I.' Brilliant acting.

It is no surprise that it got 2 Academy awards, Sundance, Toronto and the Golden Globes, a Bafta and lots more - however there are some who see it as an insult to the poor - of propagating negative images of African Americans - plus "Precious as the victim, not of social and economic conditions, even partially, but solely of the behaviour of her kind."

I think it is much more than that - it is a story about all of us - and v much worth a view - it has been out on DVD for a while. Other film recommendations on this blog include Kanyini, Milk , Blood Diamond,War Dance, Ten Canoes - and can't find the others to link to on this blog!