The keyword term is a noun phrase. In this phrase, the principal word, or head, is the common noun "film." The preceding proper noun, "Patriots Day," functions as a modifier that specifies the subject of the film.
Grammatically, "Patriots Day" acts as a noun adjunct or an attributive noun. A noun adjunct is a noun that modifies another noun, effectively serving the function of an adjective. It provides specific, classifying information. In this case, it clarifies that the subject is not just any film, but one specifically about the events of Patriots' Day. This structure is common in English, as seen in terms like "history department" or "kitchen table," where the first noun specifies the type or purpose of the second.
Understanding this classification is crucial because it establishes that the article's core subject is a specific entity (the movie) rather than an action or a general concept. The entire phrase functions as a single noun unit within a sentence, able to serve as a subject, object, or complement. This ensures grammatical precision and clarifies that the focus is on the cinematic work itself, distinct from the holiday it portrays.
