Patriots Day (2016)
Rated R
Starring Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Alex Wolff, Themo Melikidze, J.K. Simmons, Kevin Bacon,
Directed by Peter Berg
The Story:
A beautiful morning for the Boston Marathon in 2013 gives way to chaos as the Tsaranaev brothers (Wolff & Melikidze) detonate bombs near the finish line. Sgt. Tommy Saunders (Wahlberg) is pulling security and is near ground zero when the bombs explode. He helps lead the Boston Police Department and the F.B.I. manhunt to capture the suspects before they can strike again, or leave the city to strike elsewhere.
Naturally, this is based on a true story.
The 2nd true story for Mark Wahlberg to save the day is better than Deepwater Horizon.
As I mentioned in that film review, it's hard to accurately gauge the entertainment value on a movie where lives were lost and every day people step up and do heroic things.
The main argument that Patriots Day seemingly endured was the every man police sergeant who was in the right place at the right time at every step of the investigation.
Well, it's called a narrative device people. :)
It allows the story to flow a little better instead of jumping around from points A-F and introducing new characters along the way.
It's not a documentary.
It is engrossing and engaging.
It's also uplifting and poignant.
The drama of the police hunt, the emotional barrage of the victims of the bombing.
Keep a tissue handy, you might need it.
Very well done, but I've also come to expect that from Peter Berg who continues to craft very well made movies throughout his career.
While I rarely go back and watch movies like this again, I could see this as being an exception to that rule.
Final Grade: B+
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