Patriots Day : Review

Patriots Day, a telling of the events of 2013, where two radicalised muslims set and detonated devices at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing a few and injuring many others. The race takes place on Memorial Day, and we are invited in to the lives of the various parties involved or effected by this heinous attack.

In the aftermath, a city-wide search is launched to acquire the two suspects, prevent further bombings, and restore hope in the citizens of the city.

Character development is rather quick, laid out in the first act and set in the hours leading up to the marathon.

Mark Wahlberg (Deepwater Horizon, Lone Survivor) plays Tommy Saunders, assigned to duty at the marathon as punishment, and who then becomes one of the first responders on the scene, and later becoming an important asset to the various agencies who take up the investigation.

Bringing in additional talented cast to bring life to the characters of Carol Saunders (Michelle Monaghan – Pixels) and Sgt. Jeffrey Pugliese (J.K. Simmons – The Accountant, Zootopia), to name but a few, Patriots Day is well cast, with a talented list of actors.

News broadcasts back in 2013 covered the events very thoroughly, as they unfolded. And now as a film, Patriots Day keeps that tension, without promoting the USA as untouchable. The closing scenes do bring a gasp or shudder of emotion, as the details of “Boston Strong” are conveyed to the audience, but all-in-all, the film handles some very real events in a very well thought out manner, showing clearly a top-notch project from director Peter Berg (Lone Survivor).

Patriots Day is a film that tells a part of the story of the Boston Bombings, but does not try to be the next great action film. The sequences where action is needed are well portrayed, with other scenes building the drama, and conveying story. Those looking merely for entertainment value will not be disappointed either. This is a film that will reach out and touch a vast audience, on several levels.

A harrowing true story, an engrossing action film, Patriots Day opens 13 January 2017, in South African cinemas.

Patriots Day DVD review, by SAMDB

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb