The keyword term functions as a noun phrase, with "ending" as the head noun. The phrase refers specifically to the concluding sequence of the 2016 film Patriots Day. This final section of the film is characterized by a distinct shift from a dramatized narrative to a documentary-style epilogue featuring the real-life individuals involved in the events.
The cinematic narrative concludes with the capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and the celebration of the "Boston Strong" movement. Following this resolution, the film transitions to its coda. This segment features on-screen interviews with the actual survivors, first responders, and officials whose experiences were depicted in the movie. It includes testimony from key figures such as carjacking victim Dun Meng, injured couple Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky, and law enforcement officers. This is intercut with real news footage and culminates in David Ortiz's speech at Fenway Park, grounding the preceding dramatization in factual events and personal accounts.
The purpose of this narrative structure is to bridge the gap between cinematic representation and historical reality. By shifting to non-fictional testimony, the film validates its story and pays direct tribute to the resilience of the Boston community. This technique moves the focus from the film's composite characters to the authentic heroes and victims, reinforcing the central theme of community triumph over tragedy and providing an emotionally impactful and respectful conclusion to the depiction of the event.
