When Patriots Day was first announced I first thought,”Only 3 years after the tragic events and we are already turning this into a film? Is it too soon?”
The answer is no. Director Peter Berg has delivered a riveting retelling of the Boston Marathon bombing paying respect to not only the heroes that day but a tribute to the victims whose lives would ultimately be changed forever on that April morning. Patriots Day is a bookend to 2016 bringing us two films showing Berg is a director that should be taken more seriously. First came Deepwater Horizon, offering us one of the worst trailers imaginable but was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2016. Culminating with Patriots Day, Berg brings a tension-filled essence to the film that despite knowing the conclusion, audiences will be glued to the screen as every scene unfolds on screen.
Photo: CBS Films/Lionsgate
Patriots Day opens with the prelude to the marathon on April 15, 2013, where Berg takes us to the homes of some heroes, victims, and the perpetrators of the bombings. This is done effectively as it shows that it was not just one social or economic class that felt the hit but many were affected by the events. The film then follows the aftermath of the attack, as police Sgt. Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg), who was written as a hybrid of many cops on that day, FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon) and Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman) join forces to hunt down and capture the suspects.
Despite an incident that was covered on both local and nationwide media networks, Berg decides to keep the focus on Boston and those closely affected by the events. The narrative consistently remains on the key characters and their story and its central character, the city of Boston. The film’s concentration on the pivotal moments of the investigation show that the term “Boston Strong” is more than just a saying, but a literal meaning to the unity the city showed throughout the attacks and the investigation after.
When looking at the perpetrators, the Tsarnaev brothers, the film never reveals why exactly they planted the bombs, but you gain a sense of understanding that they felt they had a cause and had no remorse for their actions. Alex Wolff and Themo Melikidze are simply fantastic in the roles and as a viewer, I was rooting for these two men to be caught. Melissa Benoist (Supergirl) morphs into her role as one of the brother’s wives, Katherine Russell and during her interrogation provides one of the more tension-filled moments of the film, outside of the bombing scene.
While all hands are on deck by the cast and Berg does give us a film full of heart throughout, the length of the film is felt towards the 3rd act. However, Berg’s work in this film should not be ignored as he not only provides a riveting film but a respectful re-telling of the events, which concludes with interviews of the real-life victims and heroes of the event ending on a poignant note.
Reel Talk gives Patriots Day 3.5 Reels
