I caught a preview of Lee Daniels’ follow-up to “Precious” that’s bound first for Toronto and, now, as part of a gala tribute to Nicole Kidman, a late entry to the New York Film Festival. It’s a stupefying Southern gothic that’s more John Waters (props!) than Tennessee Williams. Zac Efron is so objectified as the title character that Daniels clearly must have been watching “High School Musical” with the sound off. The excellent cast seems to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome: Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, John Cusack, David Oyelowo, Macy Gray. It’s total actor abuse. Either this movie is the sliest intentionally unintentionally funny movie in a long time, or it’s just kitsch. Like passing roadkill on a Southern two-lane highway, you can’t look away:
