Madere - Patriot Games

In Patriot Games, families serve as a reason and means for action. One such family is the main character's (as played Harrison Ford), Jack Ryan, his wife Caroline, and their daughter Sally. For Ryan, protecting his family from the terrorist Sean Miller becomes his main goal. In a way, Ryan almost becomes defined by his relationship to his family and the lengths he will go to assure their safety. This definition becomes apparent from the very beginning of the movie in the scene where the Ryans are on vacation and having a family game night. These early scenes before the inciting action of the film (where Jack kills Sean Miller's brother) define Jack as a "family man."

The inciting incident of the film also surrounds family. Jack intervenes in an attempt on the life of a member of the British royal family, killing Sean Miller's brother. This incites the plot of the rest of the film where Miller then attacks Jack Ryan and his family in order to avenge his brother's death. The loyalty felt by Ryan and Miller (which drives their actions in the film) makes the characters somewhat equal and able to understand each other on some levels, as Miller instinctively knows that the best way to act revenge on Jack Ryan is to strike out at his family.

Another family that has an important presence in the film and also serves as a means for creating action, even the inciting incident, is the splintered sect of IRA that attacks the royal family, of which the Miller brothers are apart. This sect plays not only an important part in the inciting incident in the film, but also, through other events in the film, shows another level of family loyalty and dedication where fierce, irrational nationalism and the "If you're not with us, you're against us" mentality comes into play.