The audience-choice award winner at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, which concluded today, was “Precious.” Although the wrenching drama is about an obese, illiterate teen impregnated by her father, some see it as inspirational.  The movie also won the audience-choice and jury prizes at this year’s Sundance film festival. And it’s got the approval of Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, who signed on as executive producers and were in Toronto last week to help generate buzz.

Winning the prize at Toronto has been a springboard to Oscar nominations for such film as “Amelie,” “American Beauty,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Eastern Promises,” “Hotel Rwanda,” “Tsotsi,” and “Whale Rider.” “Precious” now is likely to nab one of the 10 Academy Award nominations for best picture, and the comedienne Mo’Nique, who plays the abusive mother in the film, is getting serious mentions for best supporting actress. (And Mariah Carey, in the unglamorous role of a social worker, almost erases the bitter taste of “Glitter.”)

I saw “Precious” a few weeks ago, and it’s one of the most harrowing films I’ve ever seen. Like last year’s winner at Toronto, “Slumdog Millionaire,” it’s set in an unforgiving ghetto, but it doesn’t end with a Bollywood dance number. I’ll be interested to hear if the general public regards the ending as hopeful, notwithstanding the Oprah seal of approval.

Here’s the trailer: