Adapted from the novel by Harlem teacher and poet Sapphire, Precious may be the most harrowing cinematic experience you will have this year but it will also be the most moving and hopeful. Embraced Stateside by audiences, critics, and Oprah alike, Precious is a strong contender for this year’s Academy Awards in all major categories.

We meet Claireece “Precious” Jones, a 16-year-old African-American, as she is being kicked out of school for being pregnant again. After suffering years of abuse at home, Claireece remains sane thanks to an active interior life where she imagines herself as a satin-clad pop star, movie star, or supermodel, not the illiterate teenager that she is. We don’t laugh at Claireece’s fantasy world, but take refuge in it as she does when the reality of her world becomes unbearable. When Claireece enrols in an alternative school for girls with challenging backgrounds, she begins to glimpse a way to break the cycle for herself and her children. Although inspired by her classmates, and a caring teacher, Precious never descends into ‘education as inspiration’ cliché, and, to his credit, Daniels keeps his focus firmly on the Claireece’s inner strength, which allows her to survive in a harsh reality that most of us are unable to even imagine.

Daniels was blessed with an incredible cast, most notably newcomer Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe in the title role of Claireece, and comedian Mo’Nique, who bravely takes on the thankless role of Claireece’s damaging mother. Even an unrecognisable Mariah Carey (in a role originally cast with Helen Mirren) shines as a social worker who is as humbled and inspired by Precious as you will be.