The term "patriots day characters" is a noun phrase. In this grammatical construction, the primary noun is "characters." The proper noun "Patriots Day" functions as a noun adjunct, modifying "characters" to specify the particular group of individuals being discussednamely, those depicted in the 2016 film Patriots Day.
The individuals portrayed in the film are a deliberate combination of real-life figures and composite characters. Key figures based on actual people include Police Commissioner Ed Davis (played by John Goodman), FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon), and Watertown Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese (J.K. Simmons). In contrast, the film's central protagonist, Boston Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg), is a composite character, created by amalgamating the experiences and actions of several different officers involved in the response to the Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent manhunt.
This narrative strategy of blending factual representation with fictional composites serves a distinct purpose. The composite character of Saunders provides a singular, cohesive viewpoint for the audience, allowing the film to navigate a complex and sprawling series of events through one individual's journey. The portrayal of real historical figures, on the other hand, grounds the film in authenticity and lends gravitas to the depiction of the investigation and its impact on the community.
