Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, the deeply affecting new film from openly gay director Lee Daniels and executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, opens in select theaters nationwide this Friday, November 6. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, Precious follows the life of Clareece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe), an overweight, illiterate teenager who is preganant for the second time by her abusive father. After being expelled, Precious begins attending "Each One, Teach One," an alternative GED program, against the wishes of her physically and emotionally abusive mother, Mary, played masterfully by Mo'Nique. It is at this school that Precious is finally free to begin her life anew with the help of her classmates and Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), the lesbian teacher who becomes the loving mother figure Precious had always been lacking. The three primary actresses all deliver powerful performances, but Paula Patton is particularly refreshing as Ms. Rain. Patton infuses Ms. Rain with warmth so crucial in a film with numerous wrenching scenes. The film is unquestionably hard to watch at times, but it is also very inspirational and even, at times, quite humorous. As awards season approaches, Precious looks rightfully to be a strong contender to add to its list of accolades (in addition to Sundance, it also won the People’s Choice Award at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival) so be sure to catch it this weekend. This is one LGBT film that is not to be missed!