Precious is a Winner

Precious, the gritty indie drama about an abused pregnant teen in Harlem, got some love at theaters last weekend. The film, which actually bears the official, if unwieldy, full title Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, made box office history by raking in $100,000 per screen, the highest per-screen average ever for a film playing in more than 10 theaters. High-profile endorsements by producers Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry undoubtedly helped the film take in an estimated $1.8 million on 18 screens.

Precious has garnered critical raves and is considered an awards front-runner for out director Lee Daniels, newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as Precious, and especially comedian Mo'Nique in a blistering performance as the monstrous mother of the title character.