Patriots Day (3/28/2017)

Rated R for violence, realistically graphic injury images, language throughout and some drug use.

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, J.K. Simmons. Kevin Bacon and John Goodman

Directed by Peter Berg (Deepwater Horizon, Lone Survivor, Battleship and Friday Night Lights)

Another solid film from Peter Berg.

In the aftermath of an unspeakable act of terror, Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) joins courageous survivors, first responders and investigators in a race against the clock to hunt down the bombers before they strike again. Weaving together the stories of Special Agent Richard Deslauriers (Kevin Bacon), Police Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman), Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese (J.K. Simmons) and nurse Carol Saunders (Michelle Monaghan) this visceral and unflinching chronicle captures the suspense of one of the most sophisticated manhunts in law enforcement history and the strength of the people of Boston.

2016 turned out to be a pretty great year for writer/director Peter Berg. He got back on track after hitting a bit of a slump in a career that had been a little hit and miss. His career in the director’s chair started well with early favorites like Friday Night Lights and Hancock, but slipped a little with films like Battleship and Bloodline. Then he directed Deepwater Horizon, a powerful and compelling film about a real-life disaster on an oil rig. And now this film about real-life events around the despicable and cowardly act of terrorism during the Boston Marathon.

Mark Wahlberg is perfect in the role of Boston police officer, Tommy Saunders. I mean Wahlberg is Boston to his core and you got the sense he was proud to play the role. J.K. Simmons, Kevin Bacon and John Goodman round out the supporting cast and all delivered very strong performances.

Berg uses a similar technique we see is several of his films. The first act is used to give us some important information and introduce us to the characters. By setting it up like this, we are able to form that all-important emotional connection with them – which I dd.

That being said, this is an incredibly compelling and emotional story. It was a horrible event that brought out the best in the city of Boston – the police and first responders. Berg follows the events very closely as they actually happened, but it never felt like a documentary.

Patriots Day is a thrilling movie about a horrific tragedy. If the language was not as graphic as it is, I would have given it a “Worth Buying”… but the R-rated language drops it to a “Theater Worthy” for me.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The film is rated R and shows some very disturbing scenes. The language is also very graphic with over 150 F-words.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. How would you describe the character of Tommy Saunders?


2. What about his character can we celebrate?


3. Why do you think loyalty is so important to him?

Read 1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.


4. How was Tommy an example to those around him?


5. How can you be an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity?