The keyword phrase functions as a modified noun phrase. The core subject is the compound noun "Patriots Day movie," which refers to the specific 2016 film. The word "explained" is a past participle acting as an adjective, indicating that the purpose is to provide a detailed summary, analysis, or clarification of the film's content and context.
The film dramatizes the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the ensuing four-day manhunt. It follows a composite character, Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders, to connect multiple storylines involving real-life investigators, first responders, and victims. The narrative chronologically depicts the bombing at the finish line, the subsequent FBI investigation led by Special Agent Richard DesLauriers, the identification of suspects Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev from surveillance footage, their murder of MIT Officer Sean Collier, a carjacking, the violent shootout in Watertown, and the final capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The film integrates actual news and surveillance footage with its dramatization to create a docudrama-style account of the events.
An explanation of the movie involves recognizing its dual purpose as both a historical procedural and a tribute. It serves to clarify the complex and rapidly evolving timeline of the city-wide lockdown and manhunt for a general audience. The film interprets the tragedy through the lens of community resilience and heroism, focusing on the coordinated efforts of law enforcement and the fortitude of the victims and citizens of Boston, encapsulating the "Boston Strong" spirit. Its conclusion features interviews with the real individuals depicted, reinforcing its role as a testament to their experiences.
