Samuel Edwards looks at numerous Peter Berg movies that when paired up with Mark Wahlberg always leave us wanting more. So what’s next for the Hollywood duo?
Tarantino and Samuel L Jackson, Depp and Burton and now Wahlberg and Berg.
The work of Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg has entertained audiences of most genres for the last 5 to ten years, with their first feature being the war film Lone Survivor, which was a terrific debut.
They would later be involved with Deepwater Horizon, Patriots Day, Mile 22 and the recent Netflix released Spenser Confidential.
It is clear that they have developed a good friendship behind the camera. With Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day being successes’ and Mile 22 and Spenser Confidential failing to impress, what project will they will be involved with next?
Their body of work has always been in the action genre, even when they adapt true stories, Deepwater Horizon and Patriots day, although are made to be emotionally serious to viewers, they both contain a sense of visual awe that is supposed to be exciting as well as dramatic to audiences.
Mile 22 and Spenser Confidential were examples of them making more B action film material and it didn’t impress audiences.
Their niche seems to be adapting true stories to film. Both are very well respected in Hollywood and understand how to adapt source material with respect on the big screen, audiences and critics seem to understand and get on board with this.
Unlike, other true adaptations to film that have left disgust to critics, such as Michael Bay and Mark Wahlberg’s Pain and Gain which some found to be vulgar and humorless.
This shows that there is a right and wrong way of translating real stories to film. Berg and Wahlberg seem to have a knack for it. Lone Survivor featured a lot of real dedication from the actors to convey military warfare at its most intense and it definitely paid off.
The film also stars Eric Bana, who previously worked on Black Hawk Down.
When Berg and Wahlberg started working with each other in 2013, Peter Berg was a director of TV and film. Some of his features include, The Rundown, The Kingdom, Hancock and Battleship.
He also produced the excellent Hell or High Water with Chris Pine and Ben Foster.
Their 3 first films have given them a fanbase and a solid foundation to build on.
Despite the failures of Mile 22 and Spenser Confidential, audiences will still be interested in their next project.
This anticipation will be boosted if the project is based off true events, which is the pair’s niche and main selling point. With each adaptation, they aim to depict a clear level of respect by talking to the victims in the real life story and making sure their stories are told well.
This makes the portrayal more authentic. Peter Berg also directs these features with a slow gradual buildup of intensity, which satisfies the aesthetic appeal.
Mile 22 was an example of them taking the brakes off a bit from their usual heavy-handed material and settling for a straight forward B action film.
The film would a score a shocking 23% on rotten tomatoes and their comedic centered buddy film, Spenser Confidential would also score 37% on rotten tomatoes. Consistency has not been to kind to them.
Mile 22 and Spenser Confidential show that the pairing aren’t too competent yet or sure of making original stories, judging by critic and audience reaction.
The counter argument to this point is that at some point they may run out of great source material to adapt to film.
They have already covered 3 great stories, from Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day.
In each of these pictures, Wahlberg is usually portrayed as the hero but this comes at a price.
He is usually thrown into an extraordinary scenario’s where he puts his life at risk to save others, this is a severe contrast to some of his other roles such as The Departed.
The characters that he plays in Peter Berg’s movies are usually very likeable, other than Mile 22 and Spenser Confidential, where he plays a more rebellious role, which is a lot more in tune with the reputation he created earlier on in his career.
Mile 22 failed critically but still boasted some impressive in camera work action, with The Raid star Iko Uwais, making a slick return to the action genre.
Although, the camera work was too shaky at times. The interview below discusses the two’s pairing, previous work and Mile 22, which came to cinemas in 2018.
Mark Wahlberg is currently working towards some exciting projects, including Joe Bell, Infinite, Uncharted and The Six Billion Dollar Man. It is yet to be confirmed if he will be working with Peter Berg in the near future.
Peter Berg is set to direct music documentaries, that of Rihanna and Chris Cornell, all scheduled for 2021 release date.
For Amazon prime members, Deepwater Horizon and Lone Survivor are showing for free.
Deepwater Horizon is currently the best received film by critics, scoring a 83% rating on Rotten tomatoes and is the cinematic depiction of the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which saw the loss of 11 lives.
Although, Lone Survivor is one of my favorites, Deepwater Horizon provides a magnificent ensemble of heroism, sacrifice, sheer destruction and bravery.
All of these themes are translated expertly on a technical level.
The film also stars, Kurt Russell, Dylan Obrien, John Malkovich and Gina Rodriguez.
The film would gross 121.8 million dollars worldwide.
judging by their previous work, I would love to see them take on another real-life story adaptation.
They have made 3 great films and there is no reason why they can’t continue that tradition.
