Los Angeles Times

Why Taraji P. Henson re-teamed with Tyler Perry in 'Acrimony'

Taraji P. Henson breathes rarefied air in Hollywood. She's one of few actress who has enjoyed both mainstream success and acclaim while maintaining a devoted fan base that spans wealth, generations and geography, but is also decidedly black. She's the "around the way girl" - as her memoir released last year is titled - who made it big, nabbing an Oscar nomination for 2008's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," a Golden Globe for her role as Cookie Lyon on "Empire" and three Emmy nominations.

But she's never forgotten from where she's come. Like her film debut working with John Singleton on 2001's "Baby Boy" as the scorned girlfriend of Tyrese's titular character.

Perhaps that's why many critics often find themselves perplexed by the 47-year-old's choices in roles. How on Earth, they say, can such a talent go from mesmerizing in the Oscar-nominated (and box office smash) "Hidden Figures" last year to the far-from-perfect action thriller "Proud Mary," which came out in January, to this weekend's "Acrimony" from critical pariah - yet prolific multi-hyphenate - Tyler Perry?

"I'm in love

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