By Michael P Coleman
Much like her lead character in the new action thriller Proud Mary, the brilliant, highly underrated Taraji P Henson took matters into her own hands with the film, serving as its executive producer. Last week during a promotional tour, the actress detailed years of trying to get cast in a big screen superhero movie, and her subsequent decision to make one of her own.
And much like her lead character, Henson proves that she knows how to take care of business.
That’s as close as a spoiler as you’re going to get from me about this very good new film, which was directed by Babak Najafi and shot on a modest $14 million budget. Henson shines as a professional hit woman, giving an electrifying performance in both the movie’s action and dramatic scenes. She is a gifted character actress, as you see nary a hint of “Cookie Lyon” in this movie’s “Mary,” whose purpose in life — or at least in this film — becomes clear early on. Everything Mary does thereafter is completely in line with the character, and when she pulls the figurative and literal trigger, the audience is right there with her.
Henson’s surrounded by a stellar supporting cast, including How To Get Away With Murder’s Billy Brown and relative newcomer Jahi Di’Allo Winston, who displays a palpable chemistry with Henson and may be Hollywood’s Next Big Thing. I have often been critical of child performers — if you’re going to skip school for show business, you’d better be Michael Jackson — but Winston displays a natural gift, more than holding his own with Henson while carrying at least one key scene on his own.
Eagle-eyed movie buffs will also be delighted by the on-screen reunion of The Color Purple’s Danny Glover and Margaret Avery. It seems that Mr. and Shug’s relationship went the distance!
Make no mistake, however: this is Henson’s movie, and when things really kick into gear in the film’s third act, to the thrilling musical backdrop of Ike and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary”, she delivers a take-no-prisoners action sequence that is much more reminiscent of last year’s Wonder Woman than anything we’ve seen her do on Fox’s Empire.
Proud Mary’s narrative gets bogged down a bit near the middle of the movie, but it more than rebounds for its heart-stopping climax. For the most part it’s an enjoyable action romp that leaves one wondering just why Hollywood DIDN’T cast Henson as a cinematic superhero. Hat’s off to her for correcting that!
Proud Mary is showing in theaters everywhere. Click here to see Proud Mary’s official trailer.
Connect with freelance writer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman.com or on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP.
