Does the Precious Movie Stereotype?
Starting today, we’ll finally be able to experience the much talked about Lee Daniels drama, Precious. The film has won plenty of accolades on the festival circuit and will have its opportunity to impress the general public with today’s release. A lot of people are waiting for the film to open in theaters nationally, but this week it will only hit L.A. New York, Chicago and Atlanta then gradually go from there.
Along with the positive reinforcements have come some negative views of Precious and its portrayal of certain individuals on a national scale. A debate has opened up that asks the question, does Precious enforce stereotypes?
One of the major debates surrounding the film is whether or not it’s a good representation of African-American women, plus sized women, or urban youth in general. Just yesterday we ran a story on co-star Mo’Nique, who plays Mary Jones the lead character’s abusive mother in the film. She admitted that it’s easy to judge the character on the outside, without taking the time to figure why she acts the way she does.
Over on The Grio, they ran a quote from Loren Pritchett, a student at Virginia Commonwealth University who took a different approach to the movie. She believes it reinforces age old stereotypes of African-American women.
“Movies like this are double-edged swords in the black community. On one hand it serves as an informative vehicle for discussion, but at the same time casts a label across the black community as a whole, leaving audience members of the opposite race throwing us all into one big troubled category.”
Although it’s easy to pick out the negative aspects of anything, we should definitely focus on the positive as well. The fact that this type of story is getting out is a step in the right direction. There are real girls no matter race or creed who are in abusive situations all over the world. Also, the fact that two ladies who aren’t considered the ‘Hollywood norm” are getting praise for their performances is another positive side effect. There are plus size actresses who can pull of dramatic material just a well as Meryl Streep, but aren’t given the opportunity to do so. This film is a double edge sword indeed, but it depends on the angle you’re looking at it.
What do you think about the Precious controversy? Does the film enforce stereotypes?
Friday, November 6, 2009 4:58PM
This movie could be anyone of any race. Take the tissue.
Friday, November 6, 2009 7:06PM
Lets talk truths here. This movie will finally begin dialogue within the black community about abuse. Abuse goes on rampantly and has for years within black families. The difference is that we always keep it "hush hush" no one knows about it for years and that child that suffered is left to deal with that abuse. So who cares how sterotypical other races deem it to be…the fact is that abuse is a huge problem. hopefully now it will be addressed. maybe some young child will be saved through this movie.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 7:20PM
Thank you for your insightful post. I agree completely. I think not discussing something because you are concerned about how people might falsely perceive it is entirely wrong. It is an opportunity to discuss, educate and enlighten.
Friday, January 22, 2010 9:42PM
Admittedly, I have not seen the movie.
I refused to see it because I did not wish to see yet another movie about the so-called plight of black women/girls.
If this movie actually helps someone, then it is all good; however, in addition to movies like Precious, why can not there be more focus on say – our first lady: Michelle Obama. The media wants to push that she is the exception and Precious is the rule.
That is not so!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 5:34PM
Definitely stereotyping. Hollywood loves telling these "Color Purple" type stories about Black folks. Heaven forbid that we ever star in a romantic epic story of African King and Queens. No…that would be labeled a "black movie". Unsuitable for white audiences. Majority of the times we are shown as violent, abusing each other, buffoon-ing or being "saved" by white folks. Those are the formulas that hollyweird continue to go by. What movies did Denzel and Haley win Oscars for? I think Malcolm X was one of Denzel's best performances but he wins for Training Day? WTF? Haley was a hoe for a racist Prison guard who was kind enough to execute her black criminal of a husband man in Monster's "Racist" Balls. Curtains please and pass the popcorn. The negroes are on again…
Saturday, March 20, 2010 3:56PM
My thing is, as a people we need to get out of this "oh my goodness, what will the White people think of us" garbage. People who live in fear of the opinions of others are still slaves at heart. Intelligent people know and understand that intelligent White people and those of other races know good and well that intelligent people know that Black people have their good and bad like anyone else. This kind of fear is one of the sad, lingering after-effects of the inferiority complex forced on a people from slavery and segregation. Wise up people! White people don't trip out over Lifetime network to Jerry Springer. Be yourselves and live life abundantly.