In “Peppermint’, a convincingly sinuous and sullen Jennifer Garner as vengeful Mother Riley North exacts vengeance upon the corrupt Judge, who freed her family’s murders. Although justified, Riley callously tortures Judge Stevens, played by sniveling Jeff Harlan, in unspeakable ways. The Hero becomes what she despises most: cruel and merciless. However, that tragic irony seems lost on Riley along with Director Pierre Morel (“Taken”) and Writer Chad St. John.
Jennifer is amazing as the hero nihilist Riley, enrolling our compassion. Yet, when she’s stripped of her humanity immersed in rage murdering money launderers and evil drug cartel members, she transforms as the cold-blooded murder she so vehemently despises.
Being on the lighter side of justice alone doesn’t make her the force for good. She has no forgiveness, no compassion. That’s the big missing in Pierre and Chad’s often formulaic and predictable “Peppermint”. Jennifer Garner is the movie’s lone saving grace.
Jennifer is heartbreaking horror as she witnesses the murder of her daughter Carly, played by innocent cute Cailey Flemming, and husband Chris, played by troubled Jeff Hephner. Drug dealer Diego Garcia orders the hit on Chris in retribution for his plotted conspiracy.
Also injured in this gang style hit, Riley is hospitalized. Detectives Carmichael and Beltran, played by John Gallagher Jr. and John Ortiz, are assigned to her case. Riley soon realizes that the judge, prosecutors, and some of the police are beholding to Diego. She chooses to flee, in hopes of bringing those responsible to justice.
“Peppermint” open 5 years later after Riley’s return to Los Angeles. She kills one her family’s murderers with effective skills. In Chad’s narrative, Riley mastered muay Thai kickboxing and other martial arts over the last 5 years. She’s also the expert in automatic weaponry. She’s back to make those responsible pay with their lives.
Jennifer’s Riley is tragically strong and broken. She lives out of a van in LA’s Skid row while she wages her war of vengeance. Riley is so very sad, having nothing to live for. She’s consumed with rage, no love within. At the narrative arc, Riley tells Diego, “I want justice.” She demands her revenge. Even if she has her revenge, then what? There is no peace in her chosen path.
In Riley’s suffering, Jennifer salvages “Peppermint”. We get that Riley never healed herself. Near the end she says, “I want it all to end.” That is so authentically sad. Riley would rather die than live without those she loved. Jennifer humanizes Riley in spite of its predictable storyline. We know her pain. We pull for her to heal and find a new life.
The martial arts and automatic gunfire are orchestrated with style and visual effectiveness. We get some satisfaction in seeing Riley take out her evil adversaries. Yet, that won’t bring her family back.
Pierre and Chad could have created a greater sense of redemption and forgiveness in the narrative resolution. What they resolve occurs as a convenient throwaway. I think Riley deserved better.
In a sense so did we.
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