The Patriot is the wonderful and moving story of a man trying to protect his family and still be true to himself in the face of the American Revolution.

Rating: 10/10 (2 July 2000)

The Patriot is the kind of movie that sticks with you long after you leave the theater. Epic and emotional, the story details the struggles of one man to protect his family and atone for past sins against the backdrop of our fight for independence. I was especially moved by the personal moments between Benjamin Martin and his seven children. Those intimate scenes really showcased the family chemistry at the center of the film. Mel Gibson is always wonderful, but this could be his best performance yet. He brought such depth to Benjamin's conflicting emotions that it was easy to understand and sympathize with his character's pain. Heath Ledger was perfectly cast as Mel's son, and his conscience. And Jason Isaacs gave new meaning to the word evil as the growling Tavington. It was my pleasure to watch them all.
One aspect of the movie that has been overlooked is its humor. Amid unbelievable suffering it was comforting to break up the tension with a light hearted moment here and there. Nothing too wacky, just enough to make it July 4th friendly.
The battle sequences were stunning. They certainly bring to mind both Braveheart and the Last of the Mohicans in their style and scope. The movie takes you right into the middle of the fighting, amid all the blood and gore and suffering. Of course the film has a lot of bloody moments, but they are not gratuitous. Quick and tasteful cuts make the violence tolerable and the sacrifices moving rather than depressing. What a horrible time it must have been to be a soldier! It certainly took a special kind of man to fight so hard for independence in the face of such overwhelming odds. The Patriot makes you appreciate those men just in time for Independence Day.

I intend to recommend the movie to anyone who will listen!