Gabourey Sidibe Getting Praise for ‘Tower Heist’ Role

Gabourey Sidibe of Precious fame is winning praise for her role as a Jamaican maid in the comedic film Tower Heist.

The film is about a bunch of guys who become victims of a Ponzi scheme. Sidibe's character, Odessa Montero, is being threatened with deportation and helps them rob the Ponzi schemer. This is a far lighter plot than Sidibe's movie debut Precious, in which she plays a teenage girl who becomes impregnated by her father and is abused by her mother.

While some of the reviews have been a bit unsure about Sidibe's ability to effectively deliver a Jamaican accent, her acting chops are getting positive attention. A New York Post review of the movie said she was very funny, while an Entertainment Weekly review noted the onscreen comedic chemistry between Sidibe and co-star Eddie Murphy, saying they build something with more visual interest than any Trump Tower on any tourist map.

The Root's review of the movie also noted this particular relationship, saying that A hilarious highlight of the film is an improvised scene in which Odessa flirts with Murphy's character.

Whether fans enjoy Tower Heist remains to be seen, but it will be interesting to check out Sidibe's comedic abilities.

The film has a 69 percent critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 71 percent rating from audience members.