After her fantastic performance as a CIA agent in Alias, Jennifer Garner seemed to leave action behind. But more than a decade later she returns to the genre with Peppermint. The vigilante film, yet another attempt at subverting gender roles, has Garner star as Riley North a woman scorned after her husband and young daughter are gunned down by a drug cartel. Cut to five years later, the homely former bank worker has become a proficient mixed martial artist with an arsenal of stolen ammunition and a blood lust that cannot be satisfied.
- Director: Pierre Morel
- Cast: Jennifer Garner
- Storyline: A working mother turns into a cold-blooded killer after her husband and daughter are murdered by a drug cartel
The film’s premise is as tried and tested as they come. In fact, several Hollywood and Bollywood films have followed the exact same trope… in the 80s. Decades later, audiences are obviously looking for something a bit more substantial to bite into even if the protagonist is a woman. A twist on gender roles alone cannot float Peppermint’s boat. But to be fair, Garner’s performance, especially her transition from loving albeit meek mother and wife to a vigilante with a heart is sincere enough to be appreciated. Her commitment to the character shines through sometimes even paling the bleakness of the film’s screenplay. And yet, that only occurs sometimes. There are several moments then when you’re most certainly going to roll your eyes. Director Pierre Morel who’s made Liam Neeson’s Taken and Luc Besson’s District 13 is renowned for his sleight of hand at stunts and action. To his credit and Garner’s action skills, Peppermint’s fights and gun play are mostly entertaining.
Where it all falls apart is the sheer predictability of the film, from the ethnicity of Los Angeles’ drug cartel to the film’s depiction and even pretty much how situations unravel. Peppermint is forgettable unless you’re incredibly invested in Garner’s career. Instead, skip the film and start watching Alias.