I did not want to but I watched the movie Precious. After reading the book I wasn’t to keen on seeing the drama reenacted on the silver screen, but then I kept hearing what fabulous performances many of the actors gave. A true fan of a good drama I made my mind up and saw the movie.
I did not sleep that night. I suffered nightmares and a general feeling of discontent. I felt really lousy the next day. I wondered if this state really was because of the movie I had just seen. Honestly it was the movie, I was a bit traumatized. I read the book which was a really intense experience but then I was floored and taken aback to see the movie version. The visual the movie portrayed was overwhelmingly fierce. It is the most beautiful movie about a hideous reality. What a freakishly bizarre tale of sexual and physical abuse. It was hard to watch even harder to forget.
But after having suffered at the hands of some many conspirators whose goal was for me to witness this woe some tale, I got a little mad and wondered why along with another friend from Facebook. Why this sad story? Are we healed by the retelling of morally incorrect behavior? Why does the African-American story get retold with such dysfunction for the world to see? Is this the way we will continue to show case our lives? What will be/is the effect on psyche of the American mind? Does this genre of movie enhance our image or create some real misgivings about who we are as a people?
I want the success story.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I have not wanted to go see this movie either. I know its great and I love that Oprah is behind it but Ill stew over it for weeks. Im 50/50 on the great point that you made. Images do imbed in the American mind forever.
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Oh Damn, gotta go let Owiso know how sorry I am…..it is an excellent show! Thanks for keeping me in the loop!
I understand your point and empathize with your life experience. I do understand that incest is not an issue that only affects the African-American community. And that is just my point, where are the movies about incest in other communities? Why are other ethnic groups more reluctant to “air their dirty laundry?”
It’s so funny you should speak on this. Precious was seriously traumatizing for me. I love Drama…I couldn’t wait for Precious to come out. I saw the trailer and some of my favorite people were in it; so my new sweety and I got tickets two weeks in advance to be sure I was there. My sister and I had already had conversations about how my mom shouldn’t see the movie…But I was gung ho.
I hadn’t read the book; so I was I don’t think I was quite prepared for what I witnessed. First of all, I am a survivor of molestation…I am a survivor of physical abuse by mentally ill family members; and I am also a emotionally charged and caring person…. this movie sent me somewhere I hadn’t been in a really long time. I was immediately depressed after the movie. I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down my face…My new sweety; who thinks I am just the sweetest/craziest person he’s ever met…was very concerned and loving…but I just could not get myself together. I was supposed to spend the remaider of the night with him but I just couldn’t stop the tears. Not like boo hooo boo hoo…but little streams of tears..and sadness. I ending up telling him I just needed to be alone and spent that night with medicinal medication and Moscato…
Now when you ask should our story be retold with such dysfunction for the world to see. I say yes…though I feel I want to protect certain people from seeing it ( i.e. my mom and daughter) ..it’s a story I think all people should see. First of all the trauma’s and dysfunction in this story are not unique to African Americans….Secondly in order to understand it and have compassion I really think you have to know it exists. And not everybody knows this…So maybe people will begin to understand some of the behaviors…to recognize some of the behaviors…and possible get help before it gets as bad as Precious had it.
Did you hear that the best show on TV was canceled? Three Rivers. I’m so damn mad. It was excellent. Bastards!!!
Precious was difficult to read and watch. It is proving to be equally difficult to forget. This movie reminded me of how impressionable our minds are to visual stimulus. Your eyes are windows to your soul, protect yours and don’t see it. I am haunted by what I witnessed. Peace.
I’m trying to finish the book…folks said it was a quick read; some said that they finished it in an evening. I am having serious difficulty with it. I know that this is a reality for some, but I don’t think I can go to the theater to see what I am reading, acted out on screen. I hear that the performances are quite awesome, but I don’t think I can do it.
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