The keyword phrase functions grammatically as a noun phrase. The core noun is "people," which is modified by the preceding words. "Real" is an adjective directly describing the noun. "Patriots Day" and "movie" are nouns used as attributive nouns (or noun adjuncts), functioning like adjectives to specify the contextidentifying the people as those associated with the film about that specific event.
This phrase refers to the actual individuals involved in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath, whose stories are depicted in the 2016 film Patriots Day. The film employs a narrative technique that blends portrayals of verifiable figures with composite characters. For instance, key decision-makers like FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers and Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis are based directly on their real-life counterparts. In contrast, the film's central protagonist, Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders, is a fictional amalgam created to represent the collective experiences of multiple Boston law enforcement officers. The film also dramatizes the authentic experiences of victims, survivors, and witnesses, including carjacking survivor Dun Meng and victims like the Richard family.
The distinction between the actual individuals and their cinematic portrayals is fundamental to analyzing the film as a historical docudrama. By incorporating the stories of real people, the film aims for emotional authenticity and to honor the community's response to the tragedy. However, this method necessitates a critical understanding from the audience, who must recognize that the film is a dramatized interpretation rather than a purely factual documentary. The creative liberties taken, particularly with composite characters, serve to streamline a complex, multi-faceted event into a cohesive narrative for the screen.
