How Will Boston Marathon Bombing Movie Be Received?

Less than two years after the attacks, the announcement that CBS Films is planning a movie about the Boston Marathon bombings brings to mind "Flight 93," a feature film that followed 9/11. That was released in January 2006, more than four years after the tragedy.

How will Patriots' Day be received when it comes to the theaters?

The studio describes "Patriots' Day" as "an intense thriller" about the Boston Marathon bombings and subsequent manhunt in the days that followed.

"I don't live in Boston. I live in Los Angeles, so I would like to see more about it as a documentary, I guess," Gordon Smith said.

Little has been released about the movie, but it's likely to be a feature film.

What we do know is that Dorchester native Mark Wahlberg has signed on as a producer.

A CBS Films spokesman would not say if he'll act in the film, adding that there's no cast, director or start date yet.

"It's going to happen and I don't think people criticize it. Seeing that it's Mark Wahlberg, from Boston, he'll certainly make sure that as a guy from Boston that it's done right," said Mayor Marty Walsh, who says he might see a movie about the Boston Marathon bombings when it comes out in a few years.

Necn also put that question to people on Boylston street near the finish line.

"People are still hurting. It's going to remind them of what happened about it. I mean, it's always going to remind them but I feel like it's still too soon," said Yasmine Khorsi of Boston.

"There's nothing to learn. People are crazy in this world, threaten other people. There are terrorists and it's sad to say. But I just don't see the purpose of doing a movie," said Farold Matthews of Boston.

"I hope they just don't sensationalize it. A fact-based movie would be what I would want to see," Smith said.

The movie will be based through the lens of former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, which for Peter Brown, outspoken uncle of survivors JP and Paul Norden, makes it a worthwhile endeavor and makes him more confident that it will follow the true story as the events unfolded.

"With Commissioner Davis involved, it would have to stay within the facts. But yes, I would be concerned. I certainly don't want to see any glorification of those two cowards that dropped that bomb there and I hope that that's not the intention," Brown said.

But he's hoping there will be money donated by CBS Films, if not directly to marathon survivors, then for generations of amputees, in the future.

CBS Films declined to talk about any possible charitable aspects of the production.

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