Patriots Day: A Touching Tribute to the American Spirit, A Movie Review

Originally Published March 1, 2017

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On January 13, 2017, the film Patriots Day was released in theaters around the nation. This movie, which was directed by Peter Berg, focused around the two bombs that went off at the 117th Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. These explosions resulted in the tragic deaths of three people and injured hundreds more. In addition, the movie also revolved around the FBI Investigation conducted in order to bring those responsible to justice. After viewing this movie, I believe that it is a touching movie and an incredible tribute to those who were killed and injured in the explosions. Because of this event this absolutely tragic event, both the city of Boston and our entire nation’s resolve was tested.

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Original Theatrical Poster (Image 1)

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Because of the severity of the attack, it was understood that the movie had to be made flawlessly. Eventually the movie received criticism from some parties. However, this movie was made flawlessly and really touched at the heart the importance of American pride. This was the type of movie that could bring a wide variety of people to tears. It is an extremely emotional movie, and it is what might make it not for everyone. In the duration of the movie, there is an extreme amount of profanity, violence, and gore. However, if someone could get past that then it is a movie that should definitely be seen.

 

The star of this movie was Boston native Mark Wahlberg, and he portrayed Boston PD Lieutenant Tommy Saunders. In reality, the officer that Wahlberg plays is not actually a real person: he is actually a combination of multiple officers involved with the investigation of the Tsarnaev Brothers. However, I believe that Peter Berg did a fantastic job writing Mark Wahlberg’s character into the investigation without making it seem fake. He did not make Tommy Saunders’ role too big to make it seem like he was being forced into the script. In the movie, Tommy Saunders was one of the cops standing at the finish line of the marathon. He also helped the FBI find the right footage of the Tsarnaev Brothers and was one of the responding officers to the shootout in Watertown, Massachusetts. While he was in the majority of the film, he did not corrupt the purity of the film. In addition, actors John Goodman and Kevin Bacon did fantastic jobs portraying Boston police Department Commissioner Ed Davis and FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers. Overall the cast did a wonderful job in the movie.

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Mark Wahlberg and co-stars on set. (Image 2)

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If you go out for movie night, I highly recommend that you go and see Patriots Day. Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg did a fantastic job recreating this extremely tragic event. They did a great job addressing the sensitivity of this situation while making it into a high profiting Hollywood film. Because of the sensitive nature of the situation, everyone involved in this movie had to be flawless. And in the end they absolutely were. This is a movie that could bring anyone to the edge of their seats filled with tears, or standing up to applaud. It was an absolutely touching movie and I really hope you can go out and see it.

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