Grammatically, the keyword phrase functions as a compound noun phrase. In this structure, the core noun is "story." The preceding words "Patriots Day," "movie," and "true"act as modifiers (adjectives or nouns used adjectivally) that specify and narrow the meaning of the core noun. The phrase collectively refers to a single concept: the factual basis for the film titled Patriots Day.
The 2016 film Patriots Day is a docudrama based on the real events of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent manhunt for the perpetrators, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev. The narrative uses the book Boston Strong by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge as a primary source. While the timeline of events, key law enforcement figures like Police Commissioner Ed Davis, and the actions of the bombers are depicted with a high degree of historical accuracy, the film's central protagonist, Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (portrayed by Mark Wahlberg), is a fictional composite character. This character was created to serve as a narrative anchor, amalgamating the experiences and perspectives of several real Boston police officers who were involved in the crisis.
Therefore, the film's relationship to the "true story" is one of historical dramatization rather than pure documentary. It accurately portrays the sequence of the terrorist attack, the investigation, and the city-wide search, incorporating real individuals and archival footage. However, it employs a fictionalized central character to streamline the narrative and provide the audience with a singular, relatable viewpoint through which to experience the multifaceted and sprawling real-world events.
