Taking centre stage is star Mark Wahlberg in his third collaboration with Berg. Wahlberg takes on the character of Detective Sergeant Tommy Saunders, a down on his luck Boston Police Officer who is facing the end of a suspension, and working the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Saunders is an amalgam of several police officers who were there on the day, and like his work in Deepwater Horizon, Wahlberg does not play him as some hardcore action hero, but rather an everyman who’s trying to get his life back on track. But once everything goes to hell, he steps up quickly as the most senior officer on the bombing site, and moves quickly to bring together the investigation.

It’s undeniable that Patriots Day was a very personal film for Wahlberg, a Boston native who has championed the city and its spirit throughout his entire career. His performance vulnerable and moving, especially in the tense moments where Saunders get completely overwhelmed by the carnage.

With a cast this big one would normally think that there would invariably be a fumble. But that’s not the case here, every supporting player gets their moment in the film, and all the performances are spot on. Special praise should be given to John Goodman as Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, Kevin Bacon as FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers who leads the investigation into the terror suspects, J. K. Simmons as Watertown Police Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese, and Jimmy O. Lang as Dun Meng, a witness who was taken hostage by the Tsarnaev Brothers.

Before going into Patriots Day be warned that an emotional rollercoaster awaits. Berg and his production team get every detail spot on, and perfectly capture the tragedy that shocked so many. One minute it’s a beautiful day full of fun and joy, the next everything goes to hell and the streets are left filled with blood and shrapnel. Berg and his team put you in the immediacy of the action with a documentary style of filmmaking that is in-your-raw and extremely raw.

But while the film does focus a considerable amount of its attention on the manhunt that completely shut down the city of Boston, there are bigger themes at play. These themes of love, unity, justice and courage are best summed up by the words Boston Strong, a spirit that followed in the wake of the bombings. This film honours that spirit along with the survivors, the first responders and the law enforcement officers who came together to make Boston a safe place again.

Image: Roadshow Films

The post ‘Patriots Day’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Patriots Day chronicles the events leading up to and following the onslaught of the Boston Marathon bombing that would leave six people dead, and 280 people injured in this shocking true life event. 

Mark Wahlberg leads the film as police officer Sergeant Tommy Saunders, a composite character of several police officers who were present on the day, and took part in the hunt for justice. As a Boston native, there’s no doubt that this is a very personal film for Wahlberg, and his commitment will undoubtedly be heartfelt in its sincerity. Patriots Day is also the third time that Wahlberg has collaborated with Berg, following 2013’s Lone Survivor and 2016’s Deepwater Horizon. These two have a terrific working relationship and we can’t see them slowing down anytime soon.

Check out the trailer below:

Joining Wahlberg in the film is a diverse and eclectic supporting cast that includes John Goodman as Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, Michelle Monaghan as Carol Saunders, Tommy’s wife, and a nurse who gets caught up in the bombing’s aftermath, J. K. Simmons as Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese, and Kevin Bacon as FBI Agent Richard DesLauriers.

Patriots Day will receive a limited release on December 21, 2016, before being released to wider audiences on January 13, 2017.

The post Mark Wahlberg headlines Boston bombing drama ‘Patriots Day’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.