High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, often shortened as Precious, is a 2009 American drama film directed by Lee Daniels. Precious is an adaptation by Geoffrey S. Fletcher of the 1996 novel Push by Sapphire. The film stars Gabourey Sidibe, Mo`Nique, Paula Patton, and Mariah Carey. The film marked the acting debut of Sidibe.