Review of Patriots Day (2016) by Matt S — 23 Feb 2017

Making a film about a national tragedy in a respectful manner that conveys the truth is extremely difficult, creating that film just four years after the event occurred is even more of a daunting undertaking, and yet Peter Berg's, Patriot's Day, does just that. The film begins just hours before the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. Sargent Tommy Saunders, played my Mark Wahlberg, leads as the protagonist Boston police officer through the bombing and the aftermath. Through the combination of talented and authentic acting with strategic and well thought out cinematography, the motion picture is a able to project a message of hope and national unity without exploitation of the victims.

The veteran cast also includes Kevin Bacon, J.K. Simmons, and John Goodman whom portray other key law enforcement officials in Boston. They play very passionate roles that showcase "everyday ordinary people-turn-superhero" characters. They completely commit to their character's persona which ultimately adds to the overall empathy that the audience feels towards the Boston community. Bacon's depth as an FBI agent is fueled with the raw stress of having to unite multiple levels of police and investigators in order to get them to work together, deal with the press, and find the bomber's without another city being attacked. J.K. Simmons' Watertown police officer character is made real through his interactions with his wife, running errands, and smoking cigarettes. Goodman's and Wahlberg's interactions with each other at the scene of the bombing show the intensity, feelings of loss, and the panic that many police officer's experienced when trying to work together to control the situation. Alex Wolff and Themo Melikidz play the bomber Tsarnaev brothers and bring an emotion of extreme hate and desperation through their mannerisms, dialect to each other, and facial expressions. They each display the journey of plotting the attack to then making their escape as apart of their overall character development. With the complete devotion to each character and the well thought out interactions between multiple characters, the story was brought to life and made very believable and relatable.

The cinematography that was used to capture each scene adds in another dynamic layer to the emotions of the film and ability to bring the audience into the setting. Early on in the film overhead and high angle shots are taken of local parks and businesses near Boston to convey the peaceful setting before disaster. Camera work is also used to foreshadow events as the race begins by using close up shots of people's hands clapping, runner's shoes, and American flags. During the multiple explosions the camera shaky violently or appears to fall in height to again make the moment for intense and real. The scenes at the start of the race, during the bombing, and during the gun fights are predominantly shot with a hand-held documentary style to increase the urgency and trauma of each moment.

The message of Boston standing together in unity against the bombing attack is carried throughout the entire film with honor and respect. The biggest obstacle that Patriot's Day faces is drawing a large crowd to watch their interpretation on an extremely sensitive and recent topic. Patriot's Day proves that a film can be made about a recent major event in a respectful and honorable way.