TIFF DAY 4 CONTINUED - PRECIOUS REVIEW

I am totally starting to feel a bit of burnout after attending three screenings today. Before I head to bed though, I just wanted to tell you that director Lee Daniels' Precious: Based On The Novel "Push" By Sapphire is everything that it is hyped-up to be. I arrived at the red carpet for the gala at Roy Thompson Hall two hours prior to its 9:30 PM start time and there was already a massive crowd waiting armed with digital cameras and clipboards. This made it virtually impossible to sneak a peak at any stars, so I gave up and proceeded to go line up for my seat with my BFFs. Alas, my hopes of getting close to Mariah Carey this year were dashed!

Due to the mass arrival of celebrities at tonight's gala, additional time was required for interviews with the media, delaying the screening start time by a whopping 45 minutes. It was well worth the wait though, as the audience was treated to a spectacle of stars that included Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Tyler Perry, Mary J. Blige, Paula Patton, Robin Thicke (Patton's husband), Sherri Shepherd, Lee Daniels, Gayle King and the film's star, Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe. The audience was given a very warm welcome in a heart-felt introduction by Daniels and producers Winfrey and Perry. I didn't know who to take pictures of first. There were too many stars!

Pictures are below:

Precious tells the story of an obese 16 year old Harlem girl who lives with her abusive mother (Mo'Nique). She is pregnant with her second child after having endured years of rape from her father. Clareece, played by newcomer Sidibe, is illiterate and she is offered an opportunity to transfer to an alternative school after her second pregnancy is brought to the attention of her principal. It is at this new school that her life turns around under the guidance of Ms. Rain (Patton) and her new circle of friends.

The film has already won Grand Jury prizes at the Deauville and Sundance festivals; it also received a very warm reception in Cannes earlier this year. The highlight of Precious undoubtedly is Mo'Nique's deeply affecting performance. Her rage is terrifying and near the end of the film she shows heartbreaking vulnerability which makes the audience forgive her almost despite all the hurt she inflicts on her daughter. It is unfortunate that Mo'Nique could not make it out to Toronto tonight as the audience truly reacted to her. Both Patton's turn as Clareece's teacher and Carey's performance as a social worker were outstanding. Sidibe impresses in her first film role ever, which required a very wide range of emotion and she did it with flare. A strong contender for Best Picture at the Oscars. Precious will be released November 6, 2009. Grade: A