Patriots Day is a well told story of the 2013 bombing at the Boston Marathon. I have seen many reviews that criticized the movie for various reasons - too soon after the event, too slow in the beginning, stony acting by Mark Wahlberg, etc. I disagree, respectfully, with all of them.
No, this movie is not great art, it's probably not award winning in any category; but, were it not for the subject matter, I'd say it was an enjoyable film and a great way to spend an couple of hours. Rather, it is a solidly built movie that tells a story that makes us remember and think about an important event in history.
I did not think this movie was made too soon. I felt it brought to the forefront that only a couple of years ago, we experienced an event of terrorism that is all too frequently still occurring in places both far and near.
I found the beginning of the movie well done, cutting back and forth, introducing characters, making us see the normalcy and, in the case of the bombers, their warped vision. As for Mark Wahlberg, Mark is Mark - this is the character he plays - stony and solid - whether it be in this movie or in Deep Water Horizon or Lone Survivor. One dimensional, perhaps, but made for this type character and he delivers a fine performance in the role.
I thought there were some directing and script lapses at times; but, they passed quickly.
As for the ending, I thought it was very well done - an excellent ending for this movie. Softly said, but quite powerful. As we exited, one of the people in the hallway of the theater, just outside the auditorium said that this movie had to be quite good because everyone exiting was very quiet. She was right, there was no talking between people. I imagine they may have been remembering, sadly, as was I.
No, this movie is not great art, it's probably not award winning in any category; but, were it not for the subject matter, I'd say it was an enjoyable film and a great way to spend an couple of hours. Rather, it is a solidly built movie that tells a story that makes us remember and think about an important event in history.
I did not think this movie was made too soon. I felt it brought to the forefront that only a couple of years ago, we experienced an event of terrorism that is all too frequently still occurring in places both far and near.
I found the beginning of the movie well done, cutting back and forth, introducing characters, making us see the normalcy and, in the case of the bombers, their warped vision. As for Mark Wahlberg, Mark is Mark - this is the character he plays - stony and solid - whether it be in this movie or in Deep Water Horizon or Lone Survivor. One dimensional, perhaps, but made for this type character and he delivers a fine performance in the role.
I thought there were some directing and script lapses at times; but, they passed quickly.
As for the ending, I thought it was very well done - an excellent ending for this movie. Softly said, but quite powerful. As we exited, one of the people in the hallway of the theater, just outside the auditorium said that this movie had to be quite good because everyone exiting was very quiet. She was right, there was no talking between people. I imagine they may have been remembering, sadly, as was I.