'Precious' is a gut-wrenchingly honest and brutal portrayal of desperate poverty and appalling abuse, and yet a non-sentimental affirmation of the essence of humanity we all share, and its persistence in the face of apparently hopeless circumstances. Here is a young woman I might have passed on the subway and disregarded, or even worse, pitied. By showing the worst in us, this brilliantly acted movie reveals what is best in us. Mo'nique is a stunning actress, and Mariah Carey and Lennie Kravitz are surprisingly likable, earthy characters. Go out and see this movie at least twice!