Saturday, March 13, 2010

READ WITH CAUTION

I just watched the movie PRECIOUS!

I had a post ready to hit publish. Great pictures of Micah, Amanda and Jack spending a beautiful day at the duck pond.
BUT this is FRESH and quite possibly the heaviest post I have ever posted. It won't be long and I might take it down later tonight, but my heart is beating faster than normal and my eyes are red from crying. This post may be for no one but me. I will post the cute pictures late tonight or tomorrow...There was no way I could think about posting them in this same post.
I don't often review movies and we are movie goers. But everyone has such different taste that I rarely think I see anything worth commenting on. I hope I don't lose readers after this post...
SO READ THIS LINE if nothing else. I am NOT saying SEE THIS MOVIE! If bad language is very offensive to you, stay far away from it. I knew the premise of the story but nothing more and had been intrigued from the Academy Awards and all the interviews with Gabourey Sidibe. I knew that Oprah and Tyler Perry had funded it. I like Oprah fine and I am a huge fan of Tyler Perry. Amanda called me this afternoon to see if I had watched it, as they had rented it last night. Her words were "Do you know the story? It is SO SAD"! I already had it on my DVR but had not watched it. I just spent the last 2 hours doing so. The language is horrible and the subject matter even worse, but the story is gut wrenching. I have this somewhat normal all American family, great kids, beautiful grandkids, a husband that loves me and FAMILY LIFE IS OUR LIFE. We are blessed. But that's not everyones STORY!
As the credits rolled my thoughts were on Precious. Is there a Precious on my street, five miles from me, or hundreds in my town that I walk by everyday? I don't think her story is confined to just a race or a socioeconomic group ..I think sometimes we think it is and we have a stereotype of who this happens to. I watch enough TV and read enough newspapers to know its not. This is a heavy story. But a story that I needed to see.
Maybe I should have watched it and just forgotten it, like
I have hundreds of other movies. After all it was just a movie. And yet tonight I find myself wondering how many "Precious"

I walk by each day and never know it. I do not want this to sound "holier than thou" or "saintly", by any stretch of your imagination. I am NEITHER. BUT I do want to see into the eyes of girls like Precious. What if I saw one that I could help?
What if we all saw one we could rescue or just befriend? What if we all really cared? What if that made a difference in our world?
If you have seen the movie I would love to hear your thoughts...but make sure you read the disclaimer..This is an R rated movie on an R rated subject. BUT it could be the life of someone that lives next door to you or on the next street or in the next subdivision.

25 comments:

Cousin B said...

I haven't seen it but also expect to be touched just as you have when I do! Thanks for sharing...

Melissa Miller said...

Teresa I don't think you need to take this post down at all. You are just stating your opinion on a well made movie. We have not seen it yet but have it on our Netflix list. I'm sure I will cry as well.

We just finished watching The Hurt Locker a few minutes ago. Another heart wrenching and well done movie. It was so well done and deserving of the Best Picture win.

Melissa Miller said...

Please do! If I can help you in any way I am just thrilled to do so. I am so humbled that I helped to inspire you. That is fantastic that you walked 3 miles. Woohoo!

Sunny Sue said...

I haven't seen the movie and now that I know about the language, I don't think I will. But, by the sound of it, it makes me think the overall message is the same as the one from "The Blind Side" and "To Save A Life"... Is there someone out there that I can or should be helping? That's the question we should each be asking every day.

Bama Belle said...

I have never seen that movie, I am intrigued, but doubt I can get my husband to watch it. Thank you for sharing with us. Bless your sweet heart! You are so precious. Be well dear friend.

Bernie said...

Yes I have seen Precious...it still haunts me. We all should be willing to help each other more and not just assume everyone's life is just like ours....I cried my way through it as you did, didn't like the language at all but it was part of that families life.....so sad really...:-) Hugs

Justabeachkat said...

I haven't seen it (yet), but I've heard enough to know that it will be hard to watch, but I do want to see it. I know what you mean about movies with lots of bad language, but sometimes it is necessary for the story.

Hugs!
Kat

Unknown said...

I just posted a very long comment that disappeared so I'm going to just assume that what I was sharing didn't need to be shared.

I didn't watch the movie and I don't plan on watching it. Coming from a Black woman's perspective, it's really difficult for me to watch movies that tend to portray a negative light instead of a positive one. I know that there are lots of girls like Precious...my heart sinks at the thought of those girls...yet, I wish that this wasn't always what we saw on splashed on films.

I really hope that the movie brings out compassion for not just Black people but people of all races that are struggling and needing someone to embrace them and wrap them in their arms and make them feel that they are loved and welcome.

I'm so glad that you posted how the movie impacted you. I hope that others will feel the same caring heart that you have.

care-in said...

I just saw the movie as well because I too was intrigued by all the media attention it got. I knew it would be hard to watch. I like what you came away with and it is so true...there may be a "Precious" near by that we can help.

Thanks for sharing this.

Heckety said...

I've read all the stuff about it, and know the story in general terms. But don't you think that not all movies, or books, or talks, or experiences can or should be 'moved on' from quickly? Some things need to be pondered, and some are meant to make a real impact on us. Different for each person of course, but its part of us growing as people.

Thank you for visiting my place earlier, I look forward to seeing you again when you've time!

monica said...

I have never watched the movie and is wonderifn what the story line is..but probably cry like you did through out it also. I wouldn't take down the post...it's your opinion.

FrouFrouBritches said...

I haven't seen it yet. I am an extremely emotional person and I KNOW I won't be able to function when I watch it. I know this movie will haunt me. I, like you, have a wonderful family. I will watch it someday, but it'll have to be when my kids aren't home and that doesn't happen often.

~Isabel said...

I haven't seen the movie, but i have it on my list to see. I've heard so many things about the movie and i am sure that it will touch my heart and soul as it did yours...

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Thank you for the review. I haven't seen it yet. Wasn't sure if I wanted to but I know that I will watch it at some point. I use to have that desire, it help girls in their teens and make their lives better.

Jolyn said...

I did see the movie, in fact we went as a family, everything you posted was so how I came out of there feeling like. My children are 15 and 17 almost and when it started all I thought was enough of the language lets move to another movie...then I thought wait my children need to see that people do not all have a life like they do and there are people everywhere that hurt. You never know what someone has to deal with in there home life and when you pass another student in school or people making fun of someone remember you never know what they have to deal with...I thought they did a terrific job in the acting...but so very sad when I think that people really do excperiance this and more in life.. You need to leave your post up and not take it down. Sorry for all the rambling.
BLESSINGS,
Jolyn

He & Me + 3 said...

I didn't see the movie...but it sounds like an eye opening movie. I do not like all the cussing, but will probably watch it when it comes to TV. If it ever makes it that far.

Christy said...

i haven't seen the movie, yet...but plan to soon. Another movie I HIGHLY suggest is "My Sister's Keeper". My daughter died from AML leukemia when she was 2, I watched it and for me "personally" I shouldn't have and no other cancer parent should...but in my opinion every single other human being SHOULD watch it.

Lindsey said...

Oh goodness! I watched it last night, too. It was so horrible. I cried and cried. It just really gets you. I guess I just think everyone lives like me and they don't. I couldn't even sleep last night thinking about that movie.

Jane In The Jungle said...

I definitly want to see this. I've known of it and the subject matter. I don't think it will even come close to any other movie as far as plain human value goes, what we can do for each other, and what people actually do to each other. As far as the language... how could it have been different.....it would make it a different movie.

Tammy said...

I LOVE your heart, Teresa. You are so right, this is the reality of so many peoples lives ~ it is heartbreaking. I have not seen the movie yet, but it is from a lack of courage at the present time ~ I am nervous to see it knowing that I will have a similar response as yours. The bad language will not bother me, because this is REAL. Many, many, children and teenagers live this reality. We can never take for granted the power of what even ONE positive comment can mean in a person's day~ some people NEVER hear even one. I pray that God will put a "Precious" in each one of our lives so that they can know how special that they are.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I have seen previews and read the reviews. I watched the promo on Oprah and know and support what the story is portraying. I will not probably watch due to it's language and R rating. I do completely support we need to open our eyes and see the precious people around us who we can help. Thanks for posting this and I pray that it is an eyeopener for many.

God bless ya'll!!!

Joanne Kennedy said...

I saw the movie too. Yes it was sad but I thought about it and you could see the movie in one way or the other. You can see it as a sad sad story or you can see it as one of glory! She found a way out. She survived! She made it so her child wouldn't have to be in the same boat she was in or her mother was in.

I grew up in sad childhood myself and lived the story of pain and insecurity. However, I will never feel like a victim. I am a survivor.

I remember talking to God one day and I asked him if He really loved and cared for me how could He have let me gone through that. He told me, because of HIM I was able to live through it and come out the other side a much stronger person.

While I would never wish my childhood on anyone, I am not sorry I lived it. It made me who I am today.

Hugs,
Joanne

Paige said...

I read the book years ago so knew what to expect, but it still gutted me. I saw it just a few weeks ago, at the theater and for the first time in my life, I completely lost it at the theater. The scene at the end when MoNique is doing her monologue with Mariah Carey almost killed me.

I work with people who live this life every day and even then you can forget that it is real.

Everyone should see this movie, because thank God most of the world never knows this happens, let alone how common it is

Lisa Smith said...

i've been wanting to see it but haven't...maybe we will rent it now. i do hope it touches me like slumdog millionaire did. i like it when God surprises me and speaks to me in movies... i do. thanks for sharing.

Confessions of a Closet Hoarder but you can call me Judy said...

Thank you for the review. I am probably going to hold off on seeing it for the time being. I don't feel like I'm strong enough to even watch the news most nights, so I know I'm not ready to watch this movie anytime soon. Eventually, though... :)