Precious (Gabourey Sidibe) is a young woman living a nightmare in a small apartment in Harlem - regularly raped by her father, abused and intimidated by her mother (Mo’nique), who is using the baby Precious has had by her father as a way of living off welfare payments. When Precious falls pregnant a second time, she decides to enter an alternative education programme, where she finds support and encouragement from her teacher, Miss Rain (Paula Patton). Through this new life she discovers another way of living, and a possible route of escape from her family.

Not the most cheerful of premises it must be said, but this adaptation of the novel Push (changed to Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire to avoid confusion with the Chris Evans/Dakota Fanning flop released last year) digs down deep into the gutter and finds a gem. It’s a story of trying to be better, of getting yourself out of the situation you’re in no matter how bad it is - something everyone can relate to, or at least be inspired by. Director Lee Daniels flips between the grim reality of Precious’ life and her fantasies of stardom, showing that rich or poor we can all dream.

To start with anything other than Mo’nique’s performance is not possible. Previously, she had a horror of a filmography with such masterpieces as Phat Girlz and Beerfest. But seemingly out of the blue comes a superb performance as Precious’ mother, abusing her and turning a blind eye to the horrors that her daughter must go through. However, it’s a sign of how good both the performance and script are when Mary Lee is not demonised - particularly in the second half of the film, where we see why she had become such a hateful figure, even if it does not absolve her. Precious herself is played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, though her lack of experience doesn’t show. She may not be the typical leading lady, but in an endearing performance she proves a more realistic portrayal of a young woman than a thousand Hannah Montana’s put together. As for the star appearances from Lenny Kravitz (as a male nurse) and Mariah Carey (as a welfare worker), they are little more than bit parts, and whilst neither steals the show they are solid and their star status will no doubt help this smaller film attract attention.

A moving film with a great message, a genuinely unique leading lady and strong performances more than worthy of all the award whispers. Showing that uneducated doesn’t necessarily mean unintelligent, this may have hit the headlines as ‘the film where Mariah looks a little dowdy’, but if that encourages people to go along and catch this fantastic film then it can only be a good thing.

Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire is released on January 28.