life is hard. life is precious.

Posted on October 16th, 2009

Warning: this is just the trailer…but prepare to cry big connecting-with-humanity tears.

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Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire (this is actually the full title) hits screens in a month or two. But a water-cooler-ready overview in the mean time:

* Oprah’s backed it

* the plot follows the truly tragic life of Clareece “Precious” Jones, an overweight, illiterate teenager, pregnant by her father for a second time, abused by her mother (Mo’Nique) and saved by a teacher (Paula Patton) who shows her how to find life again

* Mariah Carey plays a convincingly dowdy school counselor (sans makeup) and Lenny Kravitz plays a hot nurse.

I often wonder why I cry in movies like this. As in, what’s the core reason. I reckon it’s because when we watch them we’re accessing the common pain of humanity. When this pain is brought to the surface and displayed in such an overt way, it’s easier to connect to that thread of suffering that runs through us all. It’s harder to feel it when you’re just walking out at lunch to grab a sushi roll.

Which is why the tears are not simply of distress, but are “beautiful tears”, tears of connection. Anyway, that’s what I reckon. You?

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  • sarah says:

    I’m looking fwd to watching this. I cry all the time in movies. I think it’s because I feel a connection to the life story being portrayed.. i’m getting worse with age! but i think it’s a good thing because it means i’m becoming more sensitive and open hearted.. so i’m happy being the softie ;-)

    [Reply]

    October 18th, 2009 at 21:47
  • Theresa says:

    Life IS precious and EVERYONE has worth. We’re too often dragged down and consumed by the drama and noise of the world we live in and forget that we are all beautiful souls, waiting for that chance to shine and sing.

    It’s a beauitful, heart rending movie. A sharp reminder that we are ALL precious.

    [Reply]

    October 24th, 2009 at 0:57
  • Carmela Leone says:

    When I was 36, my best friend died, aged 34. What I learned from her dying was to live my life fully.

    I can’t wait to see this movie Sarah, and I will cry for sure.

    “Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” -Mary Oliver

    [Reply]

    October 27th, 2009 at 17:42

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