REVIEW

“Patriots Day,” directed by Peter Berg, opened in theaters on Jan. 13. This movie relays the bombing at the Boston Marathon on Apr. 15, 2013 and honors those who lost their lives during the terror attacks.

Mass shootings and terror attacks all have become too normal in our daily lives. From suicide bombers in Brussels and Paris, to the untimely death of 49 innocent men and women in an Orlando club, the ongoing display of global unrest and hatred appears to be an intimidating and helpless cause.

This movie, however, reminds us that world peace can be achieved. It shows the story of everyday men and women who stood up to the enemy and united in the face of adversity.

The movie opens showing the lives of regular people who woke up that spring morning eagerly awaiting the festivities of a Boston Patriots Day. The anticipation builds as the audience sits in silent suspense, watching runners lace up their sneakers, and seeing families put on their Red Sox caps.

After the bomb explodes at the finish line, the street brakes out in sheer chaos. Surprisingly, many people run towards where the explosion goes off to help the victims nearest the occurrence.

The movie, rated R, has graphic content and gory details, which may not bode well with some viewers, although they accurately express the severity of the injuries.

Central to the film is the depiction of brothers Tamerlan, played Themo Meoikidze, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, played by Alex Wolff, who were charged with the attack. They lived together in an apartment with Tamerlan’s wife and young daughter. Tamerlan, age 27, was more controlling towards his younger brother, who was only 23.

The central protagonist Tommy Saunders, played by Mark Wahlberg, is a rounded character who takes initiative during the events of the day. Special FBI Agent Richard DesLauriers, played by Kevin Bacon, depends on Saunders throughout the investigation.

Dialogue between DesLauriers and Saunders is often heated. Police officer Saunders reacts based on his emotions; whereas, special agent DesLauriers has to follow protocol.
An 8 year-old boy is killed in the bombing. Saunders wants to get the child’s body off of the street and under the supervision of his parents’, however, DesLauriers needs the boy to stay where he is for the investigation.

The FBI orders an officer to stand with the boys’ body for hours on end to protect and honor him. The camera pans across the desolate street, creating a chilling, visual ending on the image of the tearful, guarding the corpse.

The overall scoring of the film creates urgency, especially while the FBI track down the Tsarnaev brothers through the suburbs of Watertown.

“What I saw today, good versus evil, love versus hate. There’s only one weapon you have to fight back with, its love. You wrap your arms around each other, I don’t think there’s a way they could ever win,” Tommy Saunders said.

At the close of the movie, Wahlberg narrates the end scene, showing images of the world coming together during all of the recent attacks, leaving hundreds of flowers and signs, spreading kindness. Pictures of those who died and interviews of those who survived are shown.