“Patriot’s Day” perfectly embodies the horrors of the April 15, 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, along with the unparalleled beauty, pride, and strength of the city of Boston
Opening with an introduction to an ensemble of characters in the hours leading up to the race, we get an inside feel of just some of the people affected by the tragedy. Racers and non-racers, students and families, cops and the perpetrators of the heinous act.
Boston has been represented in many films such as “Gone Baby Gone,” “Mystic River,” and “The Boondock Saints.” “Patriot’s Day” is no exception in its unique way of making Boston a character in the film itself. It’s amazing to watch as the giant metropolis reveals itself to be nothing more than a handful of diverse, eclectic, and proud neighborhoods in a way unlike any other city. I don’t live there, but it’s exactly how I picture the heart of Boston to be.
Dorchester native Mark Wahlberg co-produced the movie and stars as Boston Police Department Sergeant Tommy Saunders, a typical neighborhood cop who loves his city. We can tell right away Wahlberg has an actual connection as his emotions shine through in a way that lets you know he was personally affected by the bombings. One great scene depicts Saunders assisting the FBI with his intricate knowledge of the streets, nooks, and alleys of the city, and it’s the type of thing that simply couldn’t be replicated by just any actor.
Wahlberg is joined by a cast of top notch talent. John Goodman plays Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis and proves he is one of the most underrated actors of our era. We see Davis butt heads with the lead FBI Agent (Kevin Bacon) right from the jump as the warmth of the city of Boston clashes with the cold and abrasive nature of the feds. Bacon too is excellent with his character, an outsider who must maintain his professionalism amidst a horde of locals that want blood. “The moment we label the term terrorism, everything changes.” He explains. “It’s not about Boston anymore.”
The cast is completed with one of my new favorite actors, Alex Wolff, who was the lone bright spot in the abysmal “Hereditary.” Here, Wolff plays one of the bombers and is a seemingly perfect choice with his laid back demeanor and uncanny physical resemblance to the actual person. The great J.K. Simmons and the beautiful Michelle Monaghan are perfect ancillary characters.
“Patriot’s Day” infuses actual footage from the event, including the explosions themselves which come in such a shocking way you’ll feel as though you were standing amidst the chaos. The race opens with a moment of silence for the then-recent victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting, and as such you understand the historic tones that are about to unfold.
The bombings and ensuing manhunt are thrilling to say the least, culminating in an epic shootout with the cops and perps that couldn’t be scripted. If you tried to pass it off as fiction, no one would believe you.
“Patriot’s Day” is an excellent movie. Its historical perspective makes it an educational piece, and its gripping plot keeps you riveted from start to finish.
by – Matt DeCristo
