Oprah + Perry = ‘Precious’ hit

It’s hard to conjure up a film least likely to score at the box office than “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.”

For starters – yes, that’s the film’s official title.

The movie concerns an obese Harlem teen about to give birth to her second child – both by her sexually abusive father.

Smells like a franchise, right?

But the combination of Oscar buzz plus the support of Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry helped “Precious” become the fourth top grossing movie of the weekend – on less than 200 screens.

WWTW spoke with “Precious” director Lee Daniels last week for an article over at boxoffice.com. Smart fellow, and many are saying his film is the smart choice for a bevy of Oscar nominations.

Will ring in with my own thoughts Friday when “Precious” opens on more screens across the country.

(Photo: Gabourey Sidibe stars as ‘Claireece “Precious” Jones’ in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” Photo credit: Anne Marie Fox)

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