11:24 am
Lee Daniels Bringing “Push” to the Big Screen feat. Mo’Nique and Lenny Kravitz
After Sista Souljah’s “The Coldest Winter Ever,” one of the most memorable, modern, black novels I’ve read is Sapphire’s “Push.” Though it’s second on the list, it will be first to hit the big screen. Lee Daniels, the producer responsible for casting Halle Berry in “Monster’s Ball,” has expanded his ambition to directing movies. His first two films “Shadowboxer” and “The Woodsman” were well received, both notable for their ‘cutting edge’ subject matter, “Push” will continue along that line.
“Push” tells the story of a confused, overweight African-American girl, Claireece Precious Jones. Verbally abused by her mother, sexually abused by her father, her family troubles lead to problems in school. She has no friends, no money, two kids (courtesy of Dad), she’s damn near illiterate, and left to decipher the mess her life is in on her own. It’s work of fiction, yet it’s easy to imagine some girl living the story as we speak. The book reads like the pages of her diary.
“I was left back when I was twelve because I had a baby for my fahver. That was in 1983. I was out of school for a year. This gonna be my second baby. My daughter got Down Sinder. She’s retarded. I had got left back in the second grade too, when I was seven, cause I couldn’t read (and I still peed on myself). I should be in the eleventh grade, getting ready to go into the twelf’ grade so I can gone ‘n graduate. But I’m not. I’m in the ninfe grade.I got suspended from school cause I’m pregnant which I don’t think is fair. I ain’ did nothin’!
My name is Claireece Precious Jones. I don’t know why I’m telling you that. Guess ‘cause I don’t know how far I’m gonna go with this story, or whether I’m gonna start from the beginning or right from here or two weeks from now.
Two weeks from now? Sure you can do anything when you talking or writing, it’s not like living when you can only do what you doing. Some people tell a story’ n it don’t make no sesne or be true. But I’m gonna try to make sense and tell the truth, else what’s the fucking use? Ain’ enough lies and shit out there already?”
And so the story begins.
Lee Daniels’ adaptation should be solid enough to do the book the justice it deserves. He’ll have personal memories to grab from; his sister had her own troubles. I’m being uh, nice saying troubles, in the NY Times article Daniels gave a loving description of her…
“My sister was an obese crack addict. She had a chicken wing in one hand and crack pipe in the other, and she had the finest white men lined up waiting for her. This is a real person to me.”
The ‘real person’ Daniels was talking about was Mo’nique’s character in “Shadowboxer;” Daniels cast her in “Push” as well.
Thankfully she didn’t get the part of Clarieece. She’s too old for that, but she will play Clarieece’s fat and angry mother. Lenny Kravitz will make his acting debut as a nurse << Yes, a nurse.
Paula Patton will play a teacher.
The starring role is played by first time actress, Gabourey Sidibe. Casting a completely new face, Daniels must have seen something in her to carry the film.
Push is in production now, the cameras were last spotted on 123rd and Lenox in Harlem.
Look for it in a theater sometime next year.
Til then, if you haven’t already, grab the book. It’s 192 pages. Easy breezin.
nurse? not surprised.. I’ll be delighted if he has to lose his scrubs but other than that isn’t he shy.. I’ve never seen him speak.. this shoul dbe interesting.
mo’nique? the same woman who can’t act.. there are movie stars and then there are actors.. since she’s neither I’m surprised she’s still getting work outside of the BET awards.. that seems more her specialty.. lol I’m so rude.
Push.. tight. haven’t heard of the book.. just might pick it up!
Thinking about this, I wonder how it will actually do? The only black movies we get anymore are wither pimp-filled ( Hustle&Flow;,American Gangster) or Happy-go-lucky, Family Centric ( What’s that christmas movie called and haven’t we seen it already? )
I hope if it’s actually good, it gets some play…
push was an excellent book an easy read I didn’t really care for monster’s ball but this line up should be good i cant wait to see what the leading lady will look like
i read this book when i was 14 and i am now 25 and it is still one of my favorite novels of all time GO HEAD MR DAINELS KUDOS TO YOU ITS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE RECOGNIZE THIS BOOK AS MORE THEN JUST A BEST SELLING NOVEL I WILL BE FIRST IN LINE TO SEE THIS ONE
I read this book a long time ago thinking they should make a movie out of this. I’m exceited to find out there making a moive. I will be one of the millions of people to go see it.
I read this book about 5 years ago and it was amazing..it made me cry.I read it in a day. I couldnt put it down. If everything is in the movie that was in the book it will be hit!
Mr. Daniels how about putting some of Susan Straights novels on the screen too!!
push the movie
omg. this is gonna b a good one
this book was good
the movie will be even better
I read this book many years ago, and it remains one of my all time favorite books. The story although fictional could be any african american family story. Push was the first book I had ever read by the author Sapphire and since reading it I have purchased everything written by her. Although most have been short stories and poetry which I also enjoy. Push however, is the most profound work of fiction I have ever read! I am excited that this work of art is coming to the big screen and look forward to seeing how the actors and actresses will bring the depth needed to bring this story to life. Mr. Daniels I thank and applaud you for your ability to see and think outside of the box.
I LOVE this book!! I cannot believe it is finally coming the big screen! I read it in a magazine and had to google this to make sure this was true… WOW!
WOW!!!
I have waited a long time for this. I featured this book as part of a book club in college. I read it long before that. Its a great story, and I feel that more people should read it. If they don’t Im glad they will at least get a chance to see it. There are so many Precious Jones out there, I hope this book allows them to see that there is light after a storm. This book taught me to keep going, even if I couldn’t see a way out of my circumstance. Please do this book justice! I’m sure you will!
i love this book!!!! Sapphire put great details and real life situations into it to connect with the readers, i love it omggg iam sooo excited that this book is recognized and now onto the big screen i’ll be first in line to watch it in the movies and scout outs to my lovely cousin that is in it love uuuuuuuu best of luck and i can’t wait to see u in it muahzzzzzzzzz :D
I read the book several years ago & also wrote a paper on it in college. I can’t wait for the movie. This book touched me in many ways to the point where I have a love/hate relationship with it. So yes, I feel some kinda way about it & cant wait for the movie.~~~Precious
I’m reading this book for a humanities class and I too read the book in a few days. The book has so much detail on Precious’ life that you can’t put it down. Why do some people state it is a fictional work? I thought it was based on true events.
I read this book years ago and I can not wait for the movie - it’s going to be good!