Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (2009)

Mo'Nique's Mary is frightening through changing tactics: contempt, demand and a carefully arranged account of herself can appear within the same encounter. The performance broke sharply from the warmth and direct address of her stand-up and comic screen image. The abuse is harrowing, with the acting best assessed through behaviour rather than the simplistic label of playing against type.