BY DARLENE DONLOE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Claireece “Precious” Jones is sick and tired of being sick and tired.

At 16, she’s a single mother of one with another child on the way. Both pregnancies are the result of rapes perpetrated by her abusive father. She’s in the ninth grade getting good marks, but can’t read or write. She’s poor and taunted relentlessly for being overweight. If that were not enough, she’s about to get even more devastating news.

How she puts one foot in front of the other while maneuvering through her tumultuous life is the subject matter of director Lee Daniels’ latest film, “Precious: Based On the Novel ‘Push’ By Sapphire,” opening nationwide Nov. 6.

The movie takes place in 1987. Precious, played impeccably by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, is living with her hell-on-wheels mother, Mary, flawlessly played with rawness, courage and grit by comedienne and actress Mo’Nique.

Mary, who has her daughter waiting on her hand and foot, is an unhappy soul on welfare who sits around her dark apartment brooding, smoking and watching game shows, all the while hating the world and spewing hatred toward her daughter.

“You ain’t nothin’ and you ain’t never gon’ be nothin’ ” is her motherly, guaranteed low self-esteem mantra.

To escape her horrid life, Precious often fantasizes about being someone other than herself. She longs to be skinny and light-skinned with long hair with a boyfriend who is also light-skinned. When she dreams, she’s adored by the throngs of fans who want not only her autograph, but her fabulous, glamorous life.

This movie is disturbing, unforgettable, authentic and gripping. Precious is the manifestation of a segment of society that the rest of the world pretends doesn’t exist.

Daniels has created a scathing portrayal of a soul overlooked and ignored. It’s as if Precious is walking through her life invisible. That is until her principal suggests she attend an “alternative” school called Each One Teach One, helmed by Ms. Rain (Paula Patton). Not knowing what an “alternative” school is, Precious gives it a shot.

What she finds there saves her from a broken life. This is a well-directed, well-written, produced and acted film. There isn’t a weak link in the cast whether it’s a principal player or an ancillary actor.

Mo’Nique transforms and fills the screen with her bitter portrayal. Her character is played with such intensity you can feel her pain through the screen.

Newcomer Sidibe is equally impressive and a ray of sunshine — giving a brave performance. Paula Patton as a literacy teacher, Sherri Shepherd as a worker at the alternative school, Lenny Kravitz as a concerned nurse’s aide and Mariah Carey as a social worker, all turn in solid performances, buttressing Daniels’ powerful story.

Daniels directs this survival story with such abandon, he takes the audience in unchartered territory — up close and personal behind our neighbor’s door. The disquieting voyeuristic view is palpable.

This is a murky and ominous story that, surprisingly, will leave the audience uplifted. Kudos to Daniels, the cast and crew. “Precious” is a gem.

“Precious” (Lionsgate) directed by Daniels with a screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher, is executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Lisa Cortes and Tom Heller.

The movie is rated R (for child abuse, including sexual assault, and pervasive language). Running time: 109 minutes.

On the Donloe Scale, D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (Outstanding) and E (excellent), “Precious” gets an E (Excellent).