Carole R
This film was 'unputdownable'. It's a pity that Mark Wahlberg's character (apparently a 'composite' character) was mooted as 'the cop who found the bombers' in some reports - half a star removed for that, though that may have been a reporter's fault. From what I could see in the film, it was the Chinese guy, in a scarily ominous scene, who did that, along with his excellent memory, after a long sequence of pure terror for him, not some 'composite' character.
However, the 'real' police characters were the ones who ultimately put their lives on the line, and I have never seen such a 'shoot out'. That can only have been one take, surely? Sadly, an officer was killed.
It was surprising, in light of what occurred with the bombings on the marathon route and the subsequent 'round-up' of the terrorists that more people weren't killed. However, a lot of people's lives were changed forever and it was heartening at the very end to see the real characters honoured, including the victims, the injured, medics and the policemen/FBI (despite some apparent internal squabbles), and the true sense of camaraderie of a large city that ensued.
The terrorist brothers were well-played - the older, more aggressive brother bullying his younger brother (Alex Wolff from 'Hereditary' particularly memorable as a nervous, deep-thinking and almost reluctant terrorist) into submission (but that's how it works, doesn't it?), and there was some irony in the 'getaway' method by the younger brother, true or not, I don't know.
The results of the violence in the film were not lingered on (quite rightly - these are/were real people with families), but there was no mistaking the awfulness of that, and subsequent days.
See it and learn about how humans can come together for the greater good. No schmalz.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
11/05/24
Full Review
Martin R
Had me in tears and deeply moved me. Spread love.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/05/24
Full Review
Stephen H
One of the best movies I’ve ever seen in my life.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/30/24
Full Review
Matthew D
May the victims of the Boston Bombing rest in peace.
Director Peter Berg’s historical drama action thriller Patriots Day (2016) actually floored me. I was deeply affected by the real footage of the bombing, civilians scared, to the police officers having to find and confront the two terrorists that committed The Boston Bombing. I don’t know what I thought Patriots Day would be, but it feels so real like you’re watching an account of the actual tragedy rather than a cheap recreation. Peter Berg’s direction delivers a thrilling cat and mouse chase that is exciting action to watch, but never forgets to pay respect to those who died. Patriots Day is patriotic, respectful, and genuinely emotionally moving to me.
It’s haunting to follow Mark Wahlberg’s policeman as he witnesses the bombing, sees Boston civilians dismembered and frightened, getting shaken up by the violence, and determined to capture the perpetrators. I’m glad Wahlberg produced Patriots Day as it shows what a massive undertaking it was to prevent further loss of life and track down the terrorists. It truly humanizes the tragedy to remember the fallen and respect what a devastating event it was in American history.
Patriots Day is easily Peter Berg’s best film. It is a gripping account of the terrifying Boston Bombing that moved me, gripped me, and shocked me. The bombing sequence is startling, but the final police standoff really disturbed me too with their pipe bombs blowing up police cars besides the terrorist brothers shooting at Boston PD. I kept thinking of the victims and their families and getting infuriated and sad.
I appreciate Berg focusing on the brave resilience of the survivors and how Boston united from fear into courage. You get why Boston Strong became the slogan for the city afterwards. Patriots Day is powerful and completely directed by Berg to keep you in the moment. Writers Joshua Zetumer, Peter Berg, and Matt Cook provide tons of information and perspective from the Boston civilians present to the ground police doing the footwork, first responders, FBI, and SWAT units all having to coordinate their efforts for one cause.
Mark Wahlberg is phenomenal in Patriots Day in one of his strongest dramatic performances ever as Boston Police Department Sergeant Tommy Saunders. Wahlberg nails the frustrated cop being punished with guarding the parade, but humanizing him with his limp from his hurt knee. He’s very relatable as a loving husband, working class guy, and hard working man of focus and determination. Wahlberg breaking down in tears after seeing the bomb victims’ legs blown off is a powerful scene. His fury and perseverance are gripping. Wahlberg was clearly on his game and respectful since he’s from Boston and I’m sure he felt this was personal. He is emotionally in the moment the entire time.
Kevin Bacon is fascinating as Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Richard DesLauriers. Bacon finds a neat balance of pursuing the killers with tremendous force, efficiency, and determination. Bacon also shows how DeLauriers was considering the ramifications of how Muslims could get profiled, attacked, or persecuted if they announced the wrong suspects as the terrorists. It’s an interesting consideration for the authorities I did not really think of that they did. John Goodman is excellent as the forceful Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, who is hellbent on capturing the terrorists at any cost without the hesitations of Bacon’s DesLauriers. J. K. Simmons is fantastic as the veteran cop Watertown Police Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese. His shootout confrontation is incredibly tense.
Michelle Monaghan is quite touching as Wahlberg’s concerned wife Carol Saunders, who is understandably scared after the bombing. She feels like a more natural Boston wife for a civilian’s reaction to the terror. Michael Beach’s determined Governor of Massachusetts deval Patrick is compelling. Jake Picking is sympathetic as Boston MIT officer Sean Collier who bravely refused to give up his gun to the terrorists even after getting shot. Lana Condor is sweet as Sean’s girlfriend Li, who was an MIT student.
Alex Wolff is amazing as the nervous terrorist brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, as he captures the odd casual manner that Dzhokhar spoke about the serious crimes he committed. Themo Melikidze is fearsome as the monstrous terrorist brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who forced his brother every step of the way into building homemade pipe bombs and pot bombs out of his extremist delusions over his religion. They make for a compelling on screen pair and truly disturbing villains knowing they really killed all these people so cruelly. You get their deadly dynamic and rash decisions full of mistakes besides all of their heinous plotting. Melissa Benoist is as chilling and evil as Tamerlan’s widow Katherine Russell, who acts like she knew about what the Tsarnaev brothers were scheming.
Jimmy O. Yang is amazing as Dun Meng or “Manny,” who the Tsarnaevs kidnap and steal his car to try to enact further awful terrorist bombings. I felt awful for Meng as Yang portrays him as a courageous and standup guy. What a frightening situation to be in that Meng handled like a pro. Christopher O'Shea’s Patrick Downes and Rachel Brosnahan’s Jessica Kensky are very empathetic as survivors who lose their legs. Their bravery to keep going afterwards is very inspiring and brought tears in my eyes. Khandi Alexander is professional as the solemn interrogator Veronica.
Editors Gabriel Fleming and Colby Parker Jr. do intriguing and informative montages of real footage from the case that nail the shocking and terrible events. I felt like the audience are kept right in the moment with their tense cuts. Cinematographer Tobias A. Schliessler’s striking handheld camera style looks sleek and easy to follow. The bright dramatic lighting from Jesse Goldberg and Bob E. Krattiger is awesome. Camera operators Jacques Jouffret, John Garrett, and Coy Aune keep the camera steady and slickly shot. The CGI for the blast recreations all look real like the actual footage. The police standoff sequence has terrifying stunts, gunshots, and explosions.
Composers Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor deliver a pulse pounding electric film score that is both respectfully somber and shockingly suspenseful. Sound designers Piero Mura, Randy Singer, Mike Prestwood Smith, Albert Gasser, Bruce Tanis, Gary A. Hecker, John Ross, Dror Mohar, Michael J. Broomberg, David Raines, and Michael Keller add screams, explosions, gunshots, and all sorts of debris noises. Costume designers Virginia B. Johnson’s sharp suits and uniforms look crisp and stylish. The hair and makeup team did great in making everyone look worn and tired during the search.
Honestly, Patriots Day is a haunting 133 minutes.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
09/24/24
Full Review
Tamara K
While this was a great film I can't get over the glaring error that they made the child of one of the bombers a blonde. Did they really think nobody would notice?
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
09/08/24
Full Review
Florence M
Lots of editing and not enough story. Had to pass after waiting for a story to develop.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
09/07/24
Full Review
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