The keyword phrase "patriots day actors vs real" functions as a noun phrase. Its primary grammatical role is to name a specific topic or concept: the comparison between the cast of the film Patriots Day and the actual individuals they portray. The entire phrase operates as a single conceptual unit, similar to a title or a subject heading.
Breaking down its components provides further clarity. "Patriots Day" is a proper noun acting as an attributive noun (or adjective) that modifies "actors," which is the head noun of the first element. The preposition "vs" (versus) establishes the comparative relationship. "Real" is an adjective used substantively, a form of ellipsis where the adjective stands in for the noun it modifies, in this case, "real people" or "real-life counterparts." Therefore, the structure compares one noun group ("Patriots Day actors") against another implied noun group ("real people").
Understanding this phrase as a noun is crucial because it defines the article's core subject. The article is not about an action (a verb) or a description (an adjective) but about a thing: the analysis and juxtaposition of two distinct groups. This classification dictates that the article's main point will be an exposition or comparison, focusing on the similarities, differences, accuracy of portrayal, and the transformations undertaken by the actors to represent their real-life subjects.
