It really hurts my spirit sometimes when I'm in a theater where people are yelling out questions that would have been answered if they had just read the book. Now I know I haven't read every book before going to see it in a movie but something like the movie Precious should be a no brainer for all. They have been promoting this for over a year and a book as small as Push by Sapphire shouldn't take anyone more than a week to read. Black people we have to do better. Not be excited about a story because Tyler Perry and Oprah decided to endorse i,t but excited to see a great book make it to the big screen when so many of our stories are lost.
Last Friday, yes on opening day... I rushed to the theater to see Precious. Theaters all over NYC were sold out and I was so extremely proud. Even though I had to get tix to a show I didn't want to because the times I could go were all sold out, I moved some things around in my schedule to make sure that I went.
The movie was amazing. Mo'Nique acted her behind off.
But there were so many distractions in the theater. I was sitting next to a lady probably in her late 40s that hadn't read the book and was asking a load of questions throughout the entire movie. She was with a clan of other women her age so a couple times I leaned over to tell her what was going on so she could pass it along because they seemed to be confused as to what was going on just about the entire movie. She appreciated it, but this really bugged me. The movie is almost directly in line with the book so there should have been no questions at all. The book is definitely a lot more graphic, and I also don't feel the movie fully explained the fact that Precious' mother was mentally ill, but besides that I have no complaints.
I know it has only been released in select cities so most of my readers may have not had the chance to see the movie, but if it does come to your cities please go see it, but make sure you've read the book first.
12 comments
I was just going to say that the movie was almost spot on with book but you said it for me! Luckily I didn't have that issue. The theater was packed but the environment was wonderful. The crowd was mixed which for some reason had me kind of leery, sometimes caucasions assume that 1 black persons story is every person past and that isn't the case. Nonetheless, I loved the movie. Monique had me in tears at the end, her performance was amazing!
I think I'm going to go check it out tomorrow. I may read the book afterward.
I made it a point to read this book before going to see the movie for this very reason. I knew it was going to be a roller coaster ride of emotions, and I wanted to be prepared.
I will never EVER understand why parents, knowing that the movie is going to be pretty graphic, would take their small 3 and 4 year old kids to this type of movie! To me that bothers me more than the older lady asking all the questions.
Mo'Nique did act her butt off. So did Puala.
I can't wait to go see it.
Looks super legit.
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i went to see the movie the saturday and it was wow... of course i read the book when i was about eleven a long time ago but i still remember every single detail because the book was unforgettable. with any movie alot of details from the book was cut out but nonetheless the movie is a must see. i go to college in a small town in georgia so i had to drive a little over an hour to atlanta and it was sooo worth it. every movie time was sold out so i had to purchase my tickets in advance. i am going again to see it tomorrow with my family this time
I never read the book, but I don't see what questions people could have been asking. If they just kept their mouth shut and watched the damn movie andy question they wanted to ask, was answered. I saw the movie on Saturday and was able to follow it with out any issues.
I remember reading this book in H.S. and sitting there wondering if stuff like this really happens. I haven't had the chance to get to the theaters to see this movie but I do plan on seeing it soon..
The book was really graphic, really hard to read, and it left something to be pondered on. Those who ruin the movie for others need to take a seat.. asap...
I had my mentor go and see it and he left the theater and threw up.. He said it was so hard for him to fathom, and he felt like he had these situations with some of his past students and didn't know what to do. I will definitely go and see it
Just to set the record straight Monique's character is not typical of the majority of black women. We don't abuse our children and we do not let our children fall pray to our men. Ask yourself, Does this movie represent the black woman's rise or fall?
We have to be particular about what we promote on our blogs/websites because people get the idea that this is what we support. We have to educate as well as empower the women around us. Eb, you have a higher caller than I so I would ask that you look deep inside and figure out what it might be that God is asking you to do. Listen to me talking to myself as I say this to you.
Monique played the part well but I am sure that she does not see the inside conspiracy going on behind the scenes. Let us refer back to the Color Purple. A movie favorite for many. How do the two movies carry somewhat of the same message? --Both represent/portray the fall of Black America.
Mental Illness and Incest are the unmentioned subjects among the African American community. Let us do better black people. Why not?
Clarification: You have a higher calling because you have more visitors and followers than I do. :)-- Loving you and your blog anyway. I visit on the regular just so you know Eb.
Your blog bestie,
LB from Arkansas
@mika- definitely wasn't a family movie
@joi- my problem wasn't even the fact they had questions it was the fact the we as blacks will support a movie before supporting a book... Esp one that has ben around for years. It saddens me that it took Oprah and Tyler Perry to be involved in the project before we decided to take notice in it and support it. The book is tiny and goes more in depth with each character and in my opinion should be mandatory before anyone is allowed to see the movie.
@latonya - I don't understand your stance??? From start to finish your comment confuses me. I am very aware of what I promote on my blog and don't really care how its perceived because people should ask and not assume.
Rise or fall?? There are plenty of things on tv that we can proclaim as either/or and I don't think this story set out to say this is happening in every black household. If you read the book, it goes more into the fact that precious' mom was mentally ill more so than a sexual abuser and this is definitely a problem in our community. These things happen because we don't want to talk about anyone in our family being mentally ill. That is suppose to be a family secret and rarely do they take these people to get help. Just like Precious grandmother came and took the down syndrome baby but never took the time to get help for her daughter (precious mom). I was super lost when you started talking about a "conspiracy." I see none. Stories like this need to be told, movies like this need to be made...
I agree!!! Please, people!! Read the book 1st! lol
Did you see the movie got several Golden Globe nominations?
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