The Patriot


To follow an epic the likes of "Braveheart" with an effort the likes of "The Patriot" is to risk self-parody at its worst.

Unless, that is, you are Academy Award-winner Mel Gibson, and you have the talent to avoid this certain pitfall.

Which, overall, Gibson does.

"The Patriot" is, superficially, a historic American fable. A fable about the unrealistic ideal of pacifism, the futility it is, set against the American Revolutionary War.

"The Patriot" is a violent film, much like "Saving Private Ryan". Unlike "Saving Private Ryan" "The Patriot" is decidedly pro-American. Because it is, it goes to justify violent means to peaceful ends.

Mel Gibson, in a stunning, powerful, and award-winning performance, plays Benjamin Martin: A widower with seven children. He saw battle in the French and Indian Wars, and has had enough. So he makes a treaty with King George of England.

Unprincipled, this? Given he is a colonist? Yes. But he explains this away to a comrade in arms (Chris Cooper) with an interesting line: I'm a parent. I haven't the luxury of principles.

It is a clever justification, one that smacks of something Bill Clinton might say. But one that is quickly discarded when ethics and beliefs come into the situation: When his oldest son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger) is arrested by British Col. William Tavington (Jason Isaacs) Benjamin is upset. It is anger fueled by the killing of another son and the burning of his home.

Why this outrage against Martin? Because he had been treating the wounded on both sides of the Revolution in his home.

Understandably, within this context, Martin wants revenge and revenge is had.

"The Patriot" could have been as emotional and powerful as "Braveheart". It isn't. For a number of reasons. One is the director, Roland Emmerich, who of late has taken up where Michael Cimino left off with his self-indulgent "Heaven's Gate". Another is screenwriter Robert Rodat, who previously wrote "Saving Private Ryan" brilliantly. Here, though, he engages in definite recycling of other works.

A third reason "The Patriot" fails is because of the film overall, which takes far too many liberties with historical fact and truth.

In the end "The Patriot" is a summer action flick with Mel Gibson in the lead role. Which is fine. Perhaps, through such efforts as this one, movie-goers will be inspired and motivated to learn history and learn from history.

The copyright of the article The Patriot in Film & TV Reviews is owned by James C. Hess. Permission to republish The Patriot in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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