Customer Reviews

Patriots

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You can tell from the moment the film began it was a low budget movie. Yet historically, those who joined the Irish Republican Army were mostly from lower income/working middle class families so the low budget filming and actors makes it more real. The acting is not superb but I felt the action and plot were developed very well. For the most part the intensity builds nicely especially at the scenes when the girl is hiding out with the woman who owned the pub. Its based on a true story and I did not think the lead actor did a great job of capturing the audiences attention span nor did she come off as genuine. Yet I did enjoy seeing the suspense build watching the UVA and IRA trying to hunt her down. The last scene was full of suspense and kept me drawn to the movie.

If you enjoy movies based on the Troubles and Civil War that took place in Ireland, then this is a solid film to watch. There are a few twists in the movie and several characters such as Belle and Damien who have such strong personalities that add flare to the story line and focus of the film.

I watched this movie on Hulu and later bought it on Amazon. Here are the reasons why I LOVE this movie:

*Independent film= Lesser known actors= More believable performances
*Filmed entirely in Boston and Belfast, rather than somewhere else and passed off as Ireland
*Based on a true story
*Violent but not gory

Each time I watch this, I find new parts that I missed before (and I've watched it about ten times!). Linda Amendola makes you feel for the real Alex, no matter how anti-violence you are. Mark Newell brings incredible emotion to the confused, desperate Sean. He is harbouring a dark secret, and obviously feels guilty about his decisions. The interactions between the two are excellent and make you wonder if you wouldn't have done the same in Alex's position. Finally, Aidan Parkinson is horrifying as the ruthless Damian Ryan. A cast of brilliant supporting actors makes your heart break with every twist.

Anyone interested in the Troubles of Northern Ireland should definitely watch this movie. It isn't "The Devil's Own," doesn't star Brad Pitt or Liam Neeson, and wasn't a box office hit, but it will affect you more than any blockbuster ever could.