rated R
released 1-6-2017, 127 minutes, Columbia Pictures
directed: Peter Berg
written: Peter Berg, Matt Cook, Joshua Zetumer
starring: Mark Walhberg, Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, J.K. Simons, Michelle Monaghan
Patriots Day is a retelling of the events of April 15, 2015 in Boston Massachusetts as runners were crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon. for the few who don't recall, two bombs went off near the finish line killing five people and injuring many more. This is not a happy movie, and the R rating is earned as the scenes of carnage and human loss are graphic. That said, those scenes are no over done. They are there to help viewers realize the extent of the devastation. This is not an easy film to watch, and many people may stay away because of the subject, and knowing the outcome. It is however, that very outcome that you need to see. You see heroes running towards the victims, they didn't run away. You see the people of Boston and the surrounding area come together to find the two men responsible. Walhberg and director Berg have done this kind of film before, Deepwater Horizon, and they as then have tried to create a responsible telling of the events, with some artistic license.
There have been some criticism for telling the tale too soon. The producers met with all of the major characters they used in the film and reportedly got their blessings to tell the story. There were a few locations, a school campus and the city a Waterton declined to allow filming on their turf feeling that the disruption and subject were not appropriate. Some of the shootout scenes were clearly Hollywood, with giant fireballs for explosions. The real bombs are unfortunately both more deadly and less spectacular. Finally, the major character played by Mark Walhberg is a composite character who does not actually exist. The director has said that Walhbergs character was created to create a line of continuity in the telling of the story. For my part I can forgive that addition, and I value the movie for reminding me of the events and the amazing response of the city of Boston, and Americans in general. This movie serves as a reminder to those who wish us ill, that we will rise, and that we are Boston Strong.