Life of a Hitwoman: An Organized Crime Family's Deadly Employee, Proud Mary Style
In the gritty streets of Boston, a hit woman named Mary, played by Academy Award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson, makes her mark in the action-packed movie 'Proud Mary.' Mary is not your typical action hero, as she is a real person picked up off the street and trained to kill, without any superpowers or fantastical abilities. Mary is a close-range, hired killer who has been trained as a killer since childhood and has only known love from a dark, criminal family. She is smart, efficient, and able to survive in a male-dominated world due to her intelligence, preparation, and adaptability. Taraji P. Henson's portrayal of Mary is feisty, funny, and powerful, surprising the producers during production. The balance of the movie comes from believing that Mary is a real person who walks in the world, and Taraji P. Henson plays Mary in a way that is grounded and believable. The role of Mary in the film is written by a team of talented screenwriters, including Christian Swegal, John Stuart Newman, and Steven Antin. Christian Swegal is a Los Angeles-based writer/director whose work reflects a diverse background of disciplines. John Stuart Newman won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media - Original Interactive Television. Steven Antin has worked extensively in television, movies, music videos, and advertising. The original concept for 'Proud Mary' was an English crime drama set in London, but the story was eventually moved to Boston. Babak Najafi directs the movie. He won the award for Best First Feature with his film, 'Sebbe,' at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival. Mary's life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with a young boy while doing a job. Mary believes that there can be more to life outside the family, but has not acted on it yet. Her transformation occurs when she embraces unrecognized emotions and realizes that it's time to leave the family. Mary's relationship with the criminal family continues as she grows older, but her interactions with the young boy, named Danny, awaken her to life and love. Danny Glover plays mob boss Benny Spencer in the movie, and notes that the movie is about the strength of women and the conditioning and roles within a family, specifically a mob family. Producer Paul Schiff states that the characters in the movie are rich and nuanced, and it's not a typical action movie. With Taraji P. Henson's powerful performance, 'Proud Mary' is a must-see for fans of action movies and Taraji P. Henson alike.
