We Never Do Anything Nice and Easy

Although we are big fans of Taraji P. Henson, we haven't seen her most popular movies. We prefer her in kick-ass mode, like in Proud Mary (2018).

Henson is Mary, a Boston-based hitwoman, working for Danny Glover. She hits one guy in his apartment, then discovers he has a son. Over the years she keeps an eye on the kid, who has become a runner for a Russian mobster who beats him. Finally, she steps in and takes him under her wing - killing everyone in the Russian gang while she's at it.

This starts a gang war, and she has to make sure Glover doesn't find out that she started it.

Basically, this is Henson playing Pam Grier, in a blaxploitation remake of Gloria. She has the hair and the outfits, and drives a restrained Maserati. She kicks ass like crazy, but treats the boy like he is her own... not her own child, because she's not much of a mother figure. But hers, to protect at all costs.

Also, it is shot in Boston for Boston - at least there are plenty of Boston establishing shots. I think the building that Mary lives in was actually in Lowell. As an ex-Masshole, I get very nostalgic for the brick, concrete, and chain link fence back lots and waste lands.

Then there’s the cool soundtrack, including of course Tina Turner’s Proud Mary, for the climax.

Sadly, however, the movie doesn’t quite make it. It’s a little too underwritten, depending on Henson’s charisma to pull it through. Maybe if it had leaned a little heavier on the blaxploitation angle, but a lot of it was just a middling action movie - not even as strong as an episode of Luke Cage.

In conclusion, everyone in the movie has an extremely normal name: Mary, Danny, Tom, Walter - even the Russian is just called Uncle. I have no idea if this is significant in any way.