"Proud Mary" is a 2018 action thriller film directed by Babak Najafi. The movie stars Taraji P. Henson as Mary Goodwin, a hitwoman working for an organized crime family in Boston. Here's a descriptive overview of the film:
Plot:
The story begins with Mary on a mission, efficiently dispatching her target. However, upon completing the hit, she discovers the man she killed had a young son, Danny, left orphaned. A year later, she finds Danny working for a rival drug dealer known as "Uncle," who abuses him. Plagued by guilt, Mary decides to intervene, which inadvertently leads to a turf war between the two crime factions. She takes Danny under her wing, protecting him while trying to navigate the ensuing chaos, all while confronting her past and her desire to leave her life of crime behind.
Characters:
Mary Goodwin (Taraji P. Henson): A seasoned hitwoman with a conscience, struggling with her past actions and seeking redemption.
Danny (Jahi Di’Allo Winston): An orphaned boy whose life Mary takes responsibility for after her hit on his father.
Benny (Danny Glover): Mary's surrogate father and the head of the crime family she works for.
Tom (Billy Brown): Benny's son and Mary's former lover, who is involved in the crime business.
Uncle (Xander Berkeley): The antagonist, a rival drug dealer who mistreats Danny.
Style and Reception:
The film attempts to evoke the spirit of blaxploitation films with its opening credits and retro soundtrack, including the use of the song "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner in a key action sequence. However, it largely lacks the fun and vibrancy of those classics, offering a more somber and melodramatic tone.
Critically, the movie was not well received. Reviews highlighted issues with the script's predictability, the lack of character development, and the film's inability to leverage its cast's potential fully. Despite some praise for Henson's performance, the film was described as bland, uninspired, and failing to deliver on the promised action and character depth.
The action scenes were noted for being competent but not particularly engaging or innovative, with the cinematography and editing also receiving criticism for not supporting the narrative or performances effectively.
Cultural Impact:
While "Proud Mary" didn't make a significant cultural impact or spawn a franchise, it did highlight Taraji P. Henson's action-hero capabilities, suggesting she could lead more action-oriented roles in the future with better material.
Overall, "Proud Mary" is remembered more for its missed opportunities rather than its successes, with Henson's performance standing out as a redeeming factor in an otherwise forgettable film
