- (Courtesy of Google Images)
Stepping foot into the theater to see Patriots Day, I knew in advance that this film was going to be an emotional experience. Having lived in New England before, Boston has always been one of my favorite cities. It’s got such a rich history, and you won’t find a more “wicked awesome” group of people than Bostonians.
As a runner, I also anticipated that Patriots Day was going to deeply move me because the movie tells the horrific story of the the 2013 Boston Marathon Explosions. I’ve run eight half marathons in cities all across the nation, and anytime I’ve participated in such an event, the race is so much more to me than running to earn a medal at the finish line; it’s about enjoying the journey along the way, including appreciating the throngs of spectators, volunteers, and friends and family who show up for no other reason than to cheer on both loved ones and strangers alike. The Boston Marathon, which started in 1897, is not only the world’s oldest annual marathon, it’s also one of the most prestigious road races because entrants have to qualify to even be allowed to run it. It takes place every year on the third Monday of April, Patriot’s Day, which is a state holiday in Massachusetts to commemorate the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
I vividly recall the 2013 Boston Marathon, which took place on April 15th. Our friends Flor and Terry, who live right outside of Boston, were spectators at the race that day, and as I was “liking” pictures Flor was actively posting on Facebook, that cheerful April day was suddenly shattered with news reports that there were multiple explosions at the marathon, making my heart stop as I worried about my friends’ safety. Fortunately for Flor and Terry, they weren’t standing near the explosions, but not everyone was so lucky. After all was said and done, three people, including eight year old Martin Richard, lost their lives, and 280 more were left with serious injuries, including loss of limbs.
The movie Patriots Day, which stars Boston native Mark Wahlberg as a police officer named Tommy Saunders, was even more profound than I thought possible. Even though I thought I already knew the story, I found myself crying throughout the film, both ugly, sad tears as well as tears of pride. The film not only showcases the events of that infamous day, but it also emphasizes how in moments of terror, people’s best qualities are revealed.
While Wahlberg’s character is a composite of several Boston police officers involved in the investigation and ultimate take down of the pair of brothers who wreaked havoc upon Boston, the rest of the characters are based on real people whose lives were forever impacted in some form due to the horror inflicted by the terrorists. I was thoroughly impressed how video footage from the actual events was woven into the movie.
In moments of tragedy, everyone handles things in their own way, but this film highlights how the people of Boston remained united as they worked tirelessly to ensure that the terrorists were captured and brought to justice. I recalled many of the details of the pursuit of “black hat” and “white hat”, but as I watched the events unfold onscreen, I was on the edge of my seat, marveling at the teamwork required to find the bad guys.
My sister Jodi and my nephew Dan, who both visited Boston this past summer, saw the movie with me. Jodi shared, “I can’t stop crying as I think about the movie. It was so gripping and powerful, and my heart broke all over again as I relived the horror.” Dan said he would definitely recommend the movie, and added, “I never realized how tragic the explosions really were.”
If you go to see this, and I think you should, make sure you don’t leave the theater when the movie ends. There’s a beautiful tribute and remembrance that follows, bringing tears to my eyes again as the real faces of those portrayed in the movie were shown. Patriots Day reminded me of a quote from Mr. Rogers, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ ” Beantown, full of helpers, will always remain “Boston Strong.”
Movie times: click here
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Director: Peter Berg
Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, J.K. Simmons, Kevin Bacon, John Goodman
Rating: R for violence, realistically graphic injury images, language throughout and some drug use
Running Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
