The moment director Lee Daniels read "Push" by Sapphire (born Ramona Lofton), he knew the story of an illiterate, pregnant, abused teen-age girl would make a powerful movie. All he had to do was persuade the author he was the right person to bring the book to the screen.
"She didn't want it to be a film. She thought that if I did a film of it and I screwed it up and it was not that good, it would be a reflection of the book," Daniels says. "I told her that no matter how bad a movie I make of your book, the book is going to remain genius."
After eight years, Sapphire finally agreed and Daniels got to make "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."
The film has opened slowly across the country and will open in the Fresno area starting Friday.
Initial response to the film should put Sapphire at ease. "Precious" already has picked up honors at the Sundance, Toronto and San Sebastian film festivals.
The cast also is getting Oscar buzz, especially Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, who plays Precious, and Mo'Nique, who portrays Precious' physically and mentally abusive mother Mary. This is Sidibe's first professional acting role.
"Gabby is one of my angels. I interviewed over 400 girls until I found her. I didn't care that this would be her first film. It was a godsend she could deliver that performance," Daniels says.
The director took another major leap by casting Mo'Nique, known for her comedic roles, to play such a powerful character.
What he got from Mo'Nique was a performance that is a pure personification of evil while still being firmly grounded in reality.
It helped that Daniels and Mo'Nique had worked together on the drama "Shadowboxer."
"We understood each other. We are one, Mo'Nique and I. It's so nice to have someone who trusts you," Daniels says.
For the pivotal role of Ms. Rain, the teacher who finally gives Precious a glimmer of what life could be away from the constant abuse, Daniels cast Paula Patton.
The actress had no trouble slipping into the role because her own mother has worked as a teacher for 35 years.
"She would bring students home, pay for books and help them get through college," Patton says. "For my mom, everything is about community.
"To her, there are more important things than yourself. So she was my inspiration."
Patton also spent time with a New York teacher who handles at-risk students. She saw how important it was not to be a bleeding heart when dealing with the students but just to be there for them on a daily basis.
Between observing the teacher and her mom, Patton has come to think that teaching is a calling.
"To do it well is to give of yourself. I admire teachers like that," Patton says. "I look at this film as sort of a love letter to them."
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