Call me unpatriotic, but I admit that I've just never been drawn to the slew of based-on-the-true-story 'Merica films that have been released over the past several years. While I am certainly proud of my country, when it comes to going to the theater I'd rather get lost in another world versus the rehashing of a machismo real life drama I already watched unfold on the insufferable 24 hour news cycle. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find Peter Berg's PATRIOTS DAY to be an exhilarating, albeit heartbreaking, behind the scenes look at the infamous Boston marathon bombing of 2013.
Centering on Sgt. Tommy Saunders of the Boston PD (a fictional character that is apparently a composite of several officers who took part in the investigation), the film features various parallel stories including those of innocent victims, law enforcement all the way from Homeland Security down to a small time sergeant in the suburbs, as well as the malicious plight of the assailants themselves. Beginning the day before the annual Boston Marathon- traditionally called "Patriots Day"- the film depicts the events leading up to the tragedy in chronological order, showing the characters of each subplot going about their normal business. After a brief introduction of each character and the various story lines, the somewhat abridged first act comes to an abrupt halt with the inevitable blast at the race's finish line. From here, PATRIOTS DAY unfolds as a compelling dramatization of the notorious manhunt throughout the city for the perpetrators of the worst terrorist attack since 9/11. As the numerous subplots begin to converge and inevitably intersect, the film- much like the real life search- comes to an exhausting but triumphant conclusion.
I was wary about an entire film based on a story that had already been covered ad nauseum by every media outlet, but I was pleased to find PATRIOTS DAY filled with fascinating and sometimes amusing details that many other accounts missed. Also, with the passing of even just a couple years, there were other specifics that I had forgotten in the stranger-than-fiction ordeal that made for a truly intriguing movie. The insider look into the impromptu investigation by the FBI in conjunction with the Boston Police Commissioner and the governor of Massachusetts is clearly and cleverly executed. Furthermore, Berg does a terrific job creating suspense within a story where the audience already knows the outcome, so much so I had to keep reminding myself I already knew what happens next.
In the midst of the intensity surrounding such a harrowing ordeal, Berg actually pulls off quite a bit of comic relief that keeps the film from diving into total melodrama. In a terrific stroke of genius, the majority of these moments revolve around the city of Boston itself and the inimitable pride of its citizens. While the film is an obvious love letter the city and its tenacious people, it also pokes fun at some of the idiosyncrasies of the locals with a totally endearing effect.
Beantown's native son Mark Wahlberg takes the lead as the somewhat downtrodden Sgt. Saunders. Though his character has issues that are hinted at but never fully fleshed out, Wahlberg's portrayal of the officer who takes control at ground zero is nuanced and layered. His performance provides a seemingly true sense of the kind of dedication exhibited by the officers on duty that terrible day as he works with the FBI and other law enforcement to bring the bombers to justice. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Alex Wolff as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev portrays the younger brother of the now-infamous terrorist duo with the perfect amount of Millennial cluelessness. Though at first it seems like his stoner character is more involuntary accomplice than militant, it soon becomes clear that the mop-topped Dartmouth student isn't as unwitting as he seems. Moreover, seeing a terrorist who is an average pot smoking college student rather than the typical "bearded brown person" is a startling reminder that radicalism does not belong solely to one race, nationality, or religion.
Overall, PATRIOTS DAY is a really entertaining take on an astonishing event. Even though the first act suffers a bit from an exceedingly high cheese content (think Armageddon/animal cracker level of cheesiness), this factor provides a decent balance to the blunt change in tone when the shit hits the fan. Additionally, a somewhat disjointed documentary-style epilogue still succeeds in providing the necessary and appropriate closure to the incredible stories told in the film. Seeing the real-life faces of the names and characters you've gotten to know over the past 2 hours and 13 minutes really brings home the levity of such bravery and perseverance amid such an unthinkable tragedy. PATRIOTS DAY opens in theaters nationwide tomorrow.
Rebecca Elliott
aka Annette Kellerman
