At the Movies with Kevin:
Precious lacks reason for offending
Kevin Jukkola - Entertainment Editor
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Entertainment
Archie Bunker would have approved of the manner in which "Precious" portrays black people as stupid, abusive, ignorant, and lazy. Although there are certain people of every race that fulfill these requirements, the belief that any group perfectly illustrates every aspect of these characteristics is blatantly and unforgivably offensive. I am appalled at the implication that these are facets of real life for any race, rather than the actuality of the unbearable and pointless exhibition of abuse that constitutes the film's structure.
The film's storyline effectively follows a pattern of humiliating and degrading Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) continuously until it becomes almost unwatchable. It then switches to brief moments that illustrate a possibility for hope, which is discarded in favor of more abuse that is painful and meaningless. I am unsure of the reason to inflict such despair without a sense of optimism or catharsis for the characters, but "Precious" certainly achieves this, even if it does nothing else.
Tyler Perry, one of the film's producers, seems to determined with all of his endeavors to insinuate that all black people are obnoxious, loud, and moronic, but these are only the opinions of racists. All of his television shows and movies are simply permitting these racist beliefs that pollute the progressive social dialogue that should be taking place. Perry, once a homeless comedian who has worked his way up to becoming a millionaire, has an inspirational success story that should be applauded for its demonstration of resiliency. He appears to be a decent man with harmless intentions who appears clueless to the harm he is imposing on the improving nature of interracial relations, but pleading ignorance as a reason for continuously perpetuating ignorant attitudes is not a permissible excuse.
"Precious" shows black people in the same light as "Birth of a Nation" did in 1915, but that film was at least revolutionary and influential in its filmmaking style, while this one does nothing to advance the cinematic medium. That said, "Birth of a Nation" lacked the historical perspective that should be expected from "Precious", but both are awful explorations of insensitive and bigoted portrayals of black people.
The film's storyline effectively follows a pattern of humiliating and degrading Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) continuously until it becomes almost unwatchable. It then switches to brief moments that illustrate a possibility for hope, which is discarded in favor of more abuse that is painful and meaningless. I am unsure of the reason to inflict such despair without a sense of optimism or catharsis for the characters, but "Precious" certainly achieves this, even if it does nothing else.
Tyler Perry, one of the film's producers, seems to determined with all of his endeavors to insinuate that all black people are obnoxious, loud, and moronic, but these are only the opinions of racists. All of his television shows and movies are simply permitting these racist beliefs that pollute the progressive social dialogue that should be taking place. Perry, once a homeless comedian who has worked his way up to becoming a millionaire, has an inspirational success story that should be applauded for its demonstration of resiliency. He appears to be a decent man with harmless intentions who appears clueless to the harm he is imposing on the improving nature of interracial relations, but pleading ignorance as a reason for continuously perpetuating ignorant attitudes is not a permissible excuse.
"Precious" shows black people in the same light as "Birth of a Nation" did in 1915, but that film was at least revolutionary and influential in its filmmaking style, while this one does nothing to advance the cinematic medium. That said, "Birth of a Nation" lacked the historical perspective that should be expected from "Precious", but both are awful explorations of insensitive and bigoted portrayals of black people.
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So Concerned
posted 11/17/09 @ 1:38 AM CST
Thank you so much for the article... We need to be protesting Harpo Studios, TP Studios, Lee Daniels, and Lionsgate, for releasing one of the most demeaning, and degrading pictures aganist Blackwomen I have ever seen. (Continued…)
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