Flipping the scenario of a kidnapping and torture revenge film on its head, Peaks and Valleys doesn’t take the usual route. Jack is a stone-cold loner in a cabin in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness. Minding his own business and was obviously in no mood for visitors. A plane flies overhead dropping its victim into the lake. Wrapped in plastic, scars. wounds and unseen trauma cover her as she wakes and tries to flee. Jack allows his new pal to leave knowing full well she will die trying to survive the remote location. With no backstory for either of the characters, this drama is filled with atmospheric tension as the unlikely pair decide to give each other a chance. One gets the chance to live and in doing so, so does the other.
The cinematography is crisp with moody shadows and picturesque scenery. A polar opposite of the desolation within both the central characters. It becomes easy to warm to Jack. Although I must admit, I found him a little too cool for school in the opening scenes. Like some kind of cowboy sans the horse, however, his witty low-hitting one-liners made me laugh out of nowhere and I began an instant report with Kevin T. Bennett’s portrayal of this steely man. As she deals with the fact his guest is preparing to run the gauntlet of withdrawals, he continues to assist this mystery woman Bailey.
Jack is Played by Kevin T. Bennett
“This aint no gutter whore buffet, you’re gonna have to get used to rice and beans”
Quote from Peaks and Valleys, Ken played by Kevin T. Bennett
The two are decidedly easy to watch as the film advocates for change. Peaks and Valleys are charming and well-intentioned. The narrative moves slowly and quietly along but is nonetheless compelling with Jack’s story becoming the focal point in the final scenes. ‘Peaks and Valleys’ is a film certainly worth your time, and I promise you that Jack’s lines are worth hearing alone.
Peaks and Valleys Ending Explained
Spoiler and Explanation for Peaks and Valleys
Throughout Bailey’s recovery, we learn through a myriad of flashbacks and conversations that Bailey was held captive. She tells Jack that she was raped, tortured, and kept on heroin to ensure her compliance. We never find out who this man is, but we do know he frequents a bar and lives locally.
Jack went to his brother Cliffs’ cabin to die after being given a terminal diagnosis of cancer at the hospital. When Bailey is left for dead after being dropped out of the plane, Jack tells her that the cabin they are in is miles from civilization although at the end of the film, Cliff tells her they are very close to a town nearby.
How Did Jack Find the Kidnapper?
Jack tells Bailey that he is going to hunt the moose that she saw but this is another lie. He has been trying to keep her safe all this time and his lie was to uncover who might be responsible for her captivity. More so, he cares about Bailey and wants to do good before he dies. He heads to the nearby airfield and puts a gun on the table to get information out of the owner about who was flying in the past few days. We can assume he got the information he was after because he then heads straight for the man responsible. We can also assume he knew the building because Bailey had described the place as having a flight of stairs that she was dragged down from time to time.
In the final scene of the film, Bailey meets Jack’s brother Cliff, a police officer. Cliff also mentions that a mate of his flew over a few days prior. This same plane is mentioned by Jack as being the plane that Bailey was unceremoniously dropped out of. Jack had put the pieces together and knew the area well. This is why he tackles her when Bailey hears the plane flying over.
In the final moments of Peaks and Valleys, Jack kills the man and frees the captive. He dies a hero.
I give Peaks and Valleys
3.5 moose hunters out of 5
The Cast of Peaks and Valleys 2021
- For more information see the Peaks and Valleys Facebook Page.
- The Peaks and Valleys movie was acquired as a screener for review purposes.
- Director: Michael Burns Writer: Michael B. Dillon
- Starring: Kevin T. Bennett, Kitty Mahoney, Greg Rowland.
- See drama and survival films on Amazon Prime. Released April 2021 on the streaming platform. You can also watch Peaks and Valleys for free on TubiTv in most regions.
- If you liked this movie, check out Burn’s other film Proper Binge
