While many of you are debating whether you’ll actually make it to the theater to see “Precious” next week (umm, take a couple of big girl pill and see it!), the women who plays the title role is already picking up awards for her performance. Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe who plays the illiterate, obese, pregnant, abused teen in the film adapation of “Push” by Sapphire, won The New Hollywood Award at The Hollywood Awards Ceremony last night. Many believe that the Hollywood Awards are a precursor for what’s to come (yes, I’m talking Golden Globes and Oscar) when the full-fledged awards seasons gets in swing early next year.
Sidibe didn’t know what a big deal getting this award was initially (frankly, I hadn’t heard of it before it) but its importance sunk in quickly. She told the Associated Press:
“I think I was extremely naive when I showed up here tonight,” giggled New Hollywood Award winner Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, who plays the title role of an abused daughter in “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Saffire.”
“This is a big thing,” she said.
(Note: Yes they spelled the name of the author wrong in every newspaper I read this morning, how vexing.)
Until now, much of the talk has been about Mo’Nique for her breakthrough role of playing a monster of a mother, Mariah Carey for playing an unglamorous social worker and the director Daniels himself. (And not enough talk about Paula Patton’s pivotal role.) Sidibe , however, has to carry this dark and redemptive tale and she does so admirably. So much so that many people have a hard time separating the actress from the character. In other words, this sister is a very good actress.
While all this is great, I can’t help wondering what will happen to her career in say a year or two. We know that it’s hard for any black actress to get work, a full-figured sister who wants to work on the screen is going to have it even harder. Yet I’m still hopeful, maybe Sidibe will be the one who breaks through more barriers. In the meantime, I’ll be looking her to take to a few stages to collect her awards next year.
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October 28th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I’m curious about the movie. I may or may not see it. I’m simply puzzled why Oprah is always interested in placing Black men in such a negative light. I’m surprised that Tyler Perry would also jump on this bandwagon. We all know that the horrors of incestuous pedophilia exist. Should we give it such wide-sweeping attention? I didn’t read the book, “Push”, by Sapphire but I’m sure it has its merit. Maybe I should read it and see the movie before I pass judgment. I do believe Sapphire, Alice Walker, Oprah, and even Tyler Perry are victims of their environmental upbringings. Therefore, it’s necessary for them to exorcise their demons in film and literature. I think they all have problems with black men as fathers to some extent. Yes, Precious’ father was truly a monster bastard. I’m happy Precious overcome but unfortunately once again black men as fathers are cast into a deep dark hole. Maybe I’ll have to write the book and movie that finally redeems black fathers and places them in a better light. Hollywood and literature does not say enough about good black men.