![]() ![]() ![]() Her true enemy is a system of income inequality driven by hyper-capitalism, and the myth of the achievable American dream that would push her husband to even consider committing a robbery. The low-level gangsters aren’t her enemy. The issue is Riley doesn’t think big enough. ![]() Hollywood made some important strides in representation this year, but in that regard, “Peppermint” feels like a relic from another era. She eradicates crime on Skid Row while defending homeless kids and threatens an alcoholic man into cleaning up his act for his son, but that reverence for human life is not extended to any of the men she shoots at point blank range with large-caliber weapons. “Peppermint” does exist in a realistically diverse Los Angeles, but it relies on tired, xenophobic gang stereotypes as fodder for Riley’s murderous maternal rage. The trailer for “Peppermint” garnered rightful criticism for what looked to be distressingly problematic representations of Latinos as drug-dealing, face-tatted thugs stalking white families, and the film unfortunately delivers that. But mostly you wonder, why stoop to their level? There is some small satisfaction in watching her torture the judge, a representative of state institutions who failed her family (and likely many others). She brutalizes men for their behavior, and there is a frisson of feminine rage that electrifies the otherwise dour proceedings. In “Peppermint,” Riley takes up the tools of the oppressors to enact her revenge, methodically stalking everyone who denied her justice while working her way to Garcia. Those who wronged her start turning up dead, too. When the thugs walk, thanks to a corrupt judge and lawyer, she disappears, only to pop up five years later. Chris and their daughter, Carly (Cailey Fleming), are gunned down in front of Riley, at a Christmas carnival no less. Her husband, Chris (Jeff Hephner), a mechanic, entertains the idea of driving the getaway vehicle in the robbery of a powerful drug dealer, Diego Garcia (Juan Pablo Raba), which earns a hit on his name. Garner is Riley North, a lower-middle class Los Angeles bank teller with a family struggling to make ends meet. But just because the vigilante happens to be America’s PTA mom, Garner doesn’t make the wanton displays of unchecked violence any less icky. Motherhood defines who she is and what she does, which is both her strength and her weakness, and often, it’s somewhat limiting. John, what distinguishes “Peppermint” from every other vigilante shoot-em-up is this time, our hero is a mom. Following in the time-honored tradition of “Taken,” “John Wick,” “Atomic Blonde” and “Death Wish,” Jennifer Garner arms up in the vigilante mom action-thriller “Peppermint.” That’s both literally and figuratively, as Garner sports some seriously sinewy shoulders – Garner’s guns come in both the semi-automatic and bicep variety.īut while it’s fun to watch Garner return to her action roots, the brute force haymaker that is “Peppermint” is a far cry from the sophisticated thrills of “Alias.” Directed by “Taken” helmer Pierre Morel, written by “London Has Fallen” screenwriter Chad St. How to revive a movie star’s flagging career? Take up guns, obviously. ![]()
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