It feels strange to point out the flaws in a movie like Stronger. The true story is an inspiring one, and Jake Gyllenhaal's performance is powerful, but this film drags. The moments of greatness are watered down by predictable character arcs and repetitive plot points to the point where the movie becomes just mediocre. Yup. Now I feel like a jerk for not liking it more.
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cricketbat28 December 2018
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jruddy433 February 2020The subject matter of this is heartbreaking at times and inspiring at other times - it follows a man who lost his legs in the Boston Marathon bombing - the aftermath, his recovery, and the public perception of it and our societal need to have heroes and how this man copes with that. It was interesting in many ways, but for such an intense story, it often lacked intensity and momentum. I also never fully understood the depth of the relationship between the main character and his girlfriend. The feelings and motivation there felt unclear at times.
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nrapny-016945 September 2019The only thing I kept thinking of was how terrible the film made Erin's character out to be considering there was no proper balance in their arch as a couple. That is not the actors fault. It's the script. The direction was great, editing was fine but the script was just a little undercooked.
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ferguson-621 September 2017Greetings again from the darkness. There is a fine line between getting chewed out by your Costco supervisor one day and having the country claim you as a hero the next. Just ask Jeff Bauman. On April 15, 2013 Jeff was near the finish line for the Boston Marathon, holding a handmade sign in support of his runner-girlfriend Erin. When she was still about a mile away, the two bombs went off, killing three people and injuring hundreds. Mr. Bauman lost his legs that day.
When Jeff regained consciousness in the hospital (after two surgeries), he was able to provide the FBI a detailed physical description of one of the bombers. His information led directly to the identification of one of the scumbag brothers responsible for this atrocity. Immediately, Jeff was hailed as a hero – both locally and nationally. The film does a nice job of telling Jeff's story and how his life unfolded over the next few months.
Director David Gordon Green is responsible for such disparate film projects as OUR BRAND IS CRISIS, MANGLEHORN, and PINEAPPLE EXPRESS. He may seem an odd choice to adapt the film from the book by Jeff Bauman and Bret Witter (screenplay by John Pollono), but the story is so moving and heart-warming, and the three lead actors are so good that we immediately connect with each of them.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jeff, Tatiana Maslany ("Orphan Black") plays Erin, and Miranda Richardson tears up the screen as Jeff's mother, Patty. Mr. Gyllenhaal is remarkable (as usual) as the working class local boy who truly believes his lucky seat and beer determine success or failure for his beloved Bruins and Red Sox. His initial portrayal is spot on for the normal guy who seems caught in the web of eternal teenage mentality so common in the male species. As he struggles with his new life challenges, he strives to do better, but simply doesn't understand why he is viewed as a hero and doesn't particularly embrace what comes with the label, at least early on. Ms. Maslany is terrific as the guilt-ridden, confused-yet-strong, on-again-off- again girlfriend to Jeff. She fights through being treated as an outsider by the family, and the daily grind of caring for a guy who needs constant help. The twice Oscar nominated Miranda Richardson is unlike we have ever seen her on screen. Despite being a Brit, Ms. Richardson captures the Boston sauciness (in more ways than one) and takes no 'stuff' from anyone. Her performance is stunning.
Of course, at its core, this is an inspirational story about how a normal guy became a hero after a tragic event. The recent Mark Wahlberg film PATRIOTS DAY focused on the aftermath and investigation, while here the attention is on the emotional story of one man and one family. We see the recreation of the flag-waving at the Boston Bruins game, and the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park. We also see the obstacles faced when rehabilitation and care- giving becomes too much to bear. Carlos Arredondo and his cowboy hat and heroics are also given much-deserved space here. His back story is heart-breaking, and a reminder that everyone has a story, and each of us can be a hero in some way. Since life isn't a movie, the realities are that Jeff and Erin have since divorced, but that in no way reduces the impact of their touching story that inspires each of us to be stronger. -
dave-mcclain23 September 2017After a tragedy occurs, telling the stories of the individuals affected is often the best way for others to understand and relate to what happened. That's what the 2017 biographical drama "Stronger" (R, 1:56) does with the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing and the story of victim Jeff Bauman. He only survived because another bystander, Carlos Arredondo, ran to the scene of the explosion, put tourniquets on both of Jeff's legs, placed him in a wheelchair and helped get him into an ambulance. A New York Times photo by Josh Haner, which showed Jeff in that wheelchair, with Carlos at his side, became iconic. Responding to widespread interest in his story, he joined forces with best-selling author Bret Witter to write what became the 2014 book "Stronger", which is the basis for this film.
Before the Marathon Bombing, Jeff Bauman (Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal) was an unremarkable, anonymous guy born and raised in Boston. He worked at Costco and loved his hometown sports teams – especially the Red Sox – to the point of superstition and even obsession. He lived in a modest apartment with his divorced alcoholic mother, Patty (Oscar nominee Miranda Richardson). Jeff was obsessed with local girl Erin Hurley (Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany), whom he had dated and who had already broken up with him three times. On the night of April 14, 2003, Jeff and Erin were still apart when she came into a neighborhood bar where Jeff and his friends were watching the Red Sox game on TV. He went over to talk to her, helped her get the other bar patrons to contribute to her effort to raise money by participating in the marathon and he promised to be there for her the next day at the finish line holding a sign.
The next day, as Jeff's waiting for Erin at the end of the course, a man bumps into him and Jeff turns to look at the guy who is walking away. Jeff looks down at something in the street. Then comes the explosion. Jeff finds himself on the ground lying in a pool of his own blood. Erin hears the sound ahead of her. She stops running, ducks into a local bar and sees on the TV a picture of Jeff, injured and being tended to by strangers. She rushes to the hospital, where Jeff's family and friends were also gathering. Jeff's father (Clancy Brown) fumes and even lashes out at Jeff's boss (Danny McCarthy) who shows up to offer help. After waiting anxiously, Jeff's loved ones learn that doctors had to amputate both legs above the knees. When he wakes up, not only does he manage to keep his sense of humor and his usual positive attitude (relatively speaking, of course), he's also able to give the FBI valuable information about the bombing.
Obviously, Jeff survives, but his life and the lives of those closest to him are changed forever. We see the pain and discomfort that Jeff's injuries cause him – both in the hospital and when he finally gets to come home – and we follow him as he adjusts to life without legs and begins the long and difficult recovery process. He receives gifts and well wishes from all over the world, he's greatly in demand for media interviews and he is given the opportunity to make public appearances at Bruins and Red Sox games. He goes along with much of it, but he really doesn't want any of it. He doesn't even want to meet with Carlos (Carlos Sanz), the man who saved his life. Jeff says that he doesn't want to be reminded of the worst day of his life. Jeff wants to walk again, but he approaches the challenge half- heartedly. He needs the love and support of his family, his friends and, especially Erin, even though he often treats them unkindly and even pushes them away. He doesn't want to be famous or inspirational, but it's out of his control. Something has got to give.
"Stronger" is a somewhat inspirational, but mostly bland bio-pic. With no disrespect to Jeff Bauman or any of the others directly or indirectly affected by the Boston Marathon Bombing, their individual stories are interesting, but aren't necessarily best served in the format of a feature film. Having said that, this one does about as good of a job as can be expected, given its limited focus. The screenplay by writer-actor John Pollono (who plays Tyler on TV's "This is Us") adapts the book of the film's title without being exploitive or flashy, telling the story almost entirely chronologically and only occasionally drifting into melodrama. Director David Gordon Green (mainly known for producing and directing TV series like "East Bound & Down" and "Vice Principals") does here what he did with 2014's "Manglehorn" and 2015's "Our Brand is Crisis", telling a story solidly, but making it less impactful than it probably should've been.
Green does, however, often get excellent performances out of his actors and this film is no exception. Gyllenhaal is as great as he was in similarly emotional roles like the desperate astronaut in "Life" (2017), the grieving father in "Nocturnal Animals" (2016) and the down-and-out boxer in "Southpaw" (2015), while Richardson and Maslany completely inhabit their roles. All three are award-worthy, especially Maslany in her most high-profile feature film role to date, following her personal triumph that is TV's "Orphan Black". In this film, she will be a revelation to many Movie Fans, while they may also notice and wonder how Gyllenhaal manages to continue giving exceptional performances in high-quality films every single year. This one may not be as exceptional as some man-versus-self films, but it's worth a look. "B" -
A lackluster retail employee and irresponsible boyfriend has the misfortune of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Then his family drink, swear, and fight. As per virtually every movie set in working class Boston. Only this one is based on truth, so I guess it is what it is. Are there no more God-fearing blue collar people?
Gyllenhaal is great, as usual. So is the unknown Canadian playing his girlfriend. Not much of a plot. Just a poor nobody recovering from misfortune, surrounded by low life people. Enjoy. -
kosmasp28 February 2021Or go on for that matter. While this seems to be about the Boston Marathon bombing, if you are interested in a Thriller/Action movie that tackles that subject matter and the hunt for those responsible, you are better off with the Mark Wahlberg movie (Patriots Day). This here is a Drama and deals with repercussions and human toll and emotions, after a tragic event and how it affects not just someone who got "injured" (putting it mildly, but surviving does not mean one remains unscathed), but the people around him.
Just because this is a very well done movie (and very well acted, no that you should expect differently), does not mean you will like it. And no you are not a bad person if you are not into a movie like this. Some people like to watch movies for pure entertainment - and that is not what this delivers at all. This takes you places emotionally, as you go on the real life story of our main character. Not sure what changes have been made (mostly they do that for dramatic effect, I reckon this will be true here too), but as it is, this can be viewed as an inspiring and uplifting journey (no pun intended) -
Based on the true story of Boston Marathon Bombing survivor and unwitting hero of the time Jeff Bauman, David Gordon Green's Stronger is a low-key and rough around the edges portrait of an everyday man thrust into an out of the ordinary and life changing situation, that allows Jake Gyllenhaal yet another chance to showcase his considerable acting chops.
Taking a break or moving on from such projects as Vice Principals and Red Oaks, Gordon Green returns to his more indie focussed and character driven roots to dive into the story of Bauman, a flawed yet likeable Bostonian who is far from your typical trial against adversity like figure.
Losing both his legs in the terrorist attack that shocked the world and shook the very foundations of Boston's proud and passionate citizens, Bauman allows Gyllenhaal a chance to inhabit a man whose not only looking to come to grips with his new way of life, but a man looking to make right on his relationship with on and off girlfriend (played well by Orphan Black superstar Tatiana Maslany) and learn to be the best man he can be for her.
Stronger is far from what you usually get from these type of true-life inspirational stories, as is to be expected from a filmmaker like Green, and while during its later stages it becomes something more of the usual, for most of the film Green seems more concerned to showcase Bauman's dealings with his proud baseball loving family led by Bauman's Oprah loving mother Patty, played by an almost unrecognisable Miranda Richardson.
It's an interesting tactic by Green but sadly this means we never truly get the insight and background to Bauman that would've made Stronger a more emotionally powerful and engaging film and while Green certainly embodies his tale with some raw and genuinely moving portraits of a grief, trauma and personal pain (a scene where Bauman begins to remember the moment the terror attack took place is one of the most haunting in recent memory), there's a lingering sense that Stronger fails to make the lasting impact it could've easily made had the balance been right.
Final Say -
With Gyllenhaal leading from the front with another convincing and commendable turn, Stronger remains ever watchable and often intimately real but there's an inescapable feeling here that Gordon Green has let an awards worthy turn be squandered on a film that doesn't quite match its leading man.
3 swing sets out of 5 -
jadepietro23 September 2017(RATING: ☆☆☆☆½ out of 5 )
GRADE: B+
THIS FILM IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
IN BRIEF: A gritty and emotional film that couldn't ask for a stronger performance than the one given by Jake Gyllenhaal.
SYNOPSIS: A biography of Jeff Bauman, a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing.
JIM'S REVIEW: The odds against Jeff Bauman surviving the horror of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing were slim and the chances any moviegoer won't be moved to tears and uplifted by this one man's personal tale of survival while experiencing David Gordon Green's Stronger are even less.
This heartfelt film takes on the before and after view of this common man. First seen as a hometown boy (before being cast as an hometown hero to the world), Jeff (Jake Gyllenhaal) was a fun-loving avid Boston Red Sox fan caught in an on-again / off again relationship with his girlfriend, Erin (Tatianna Maslany). He lived an ordinary life, one filled with bars, beer, and blue collar stock characters. Then came the terrorist bombing which changed everything.
The story itself is predictable and manipulative, yet emotionally gripping. John Pollono's screenplay follows the formula to the T, or should I say from Point A (the horrific event) to Point B (overcoming the obstacles and hardships) to its uplifting Point C ending (pride and redemption). That said, it all works most effectively, due its honest depiction of a man in crisis.
And having that person played by the talented Mr. Gyllenhaal, a fine method actor who immersed himself in this real life role, gives the film the honest integrity and authenticity the film needs which helps to separate the movie from most biographies that wallow in self-pity and inner strength. Watching him struggle to come to terms with his injuries and finally walk with two prosthetic legs is gut-wrenching and Mr. Gyllenhaal shows his character's human flaws and intrinsic hopes with the least amount of melodramatic excess. His performance deserves award recognition.
Where the film truly succeeds is in avoiding the clichés of most biopics by making our hero too heroic and unreal. Mr. Gordon's direction is concise and insightful. He never allows Stronger to weaken. His film doesn't flinch from the ugly side of Jeff's rehabilitation, his dysfunctional family, and his sacrifices just to lead a normal life. It wisely covers the issue of instant fame and becoming a pawn for network news, a necessary symbol of courage for a nation, even if our hero wants none of that adoration. The film does end on an inspirational false note, as most film biopics do, in a scene at the ballpark that takes a misstep into gross sentimentality and an unabashed shout-out to patriotism. But the story always remains compelling and the acting is superb.
The rest of the cast could easily have played their parts rather routinely and still bring about the emotional clout: suffering girlfriend, loyal friends, worrisome parents, etc. But the actors shy away from the obvious and give their characters some gravitas. Ms. Maslany makes a fine partner as Jeff's supporting girlfriend, showing the pain and frustration beautifully. Carlos Sanz as the man who saved Jeff's life during the bombing, has a quiet and touching scene that is so nuanced and heartbreaking in its subtlety. It shows the collective despair of survivors and their kin. Miranda Richardson, as Jeff's boozy mother, is so memorable in her supporting role that she becomes unrecognizable, creating an indelible character while exposing her human flaws. Her rivalry with Erin brings needed tension to the family dynamics which separates this film from the run-of-the-mill inspirational saga. There are many scenes of undeniable pathos and melancholy, insightful moments in time, especially the parking lot confrontation between the two leads that builds to an emotional zenith.
Stronger is a rarity, a powerful film based on a true life story that is true to life. With a strong central performance, fine direction, and a screenplay that works on many emotional levels, this is one of the year's most satisfying dramas. Do not miss it!
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ANY COMMENTS: Please contact me at: jadepietro@rcn.com -
FilmFlowCritics21 November 2017Oscar nomination for Jake Gyllenhaal for sure, winning? I don't thinks so, even though Americans and the academy will eat this up like a Christmas pie.
It has been a long time that I've seen a a movie where the actors performance is better than the movie itself. He will get nominated, as well as Tatiana Maslany, who I see actually having better chances of winning the Oscar, but in the end both might be going home empty handed.
Yes its a real story, but I would like to know how much of the personal stuff was actually....lets say... modified for dramatic purposes. The end is super cringy and way to American which damages the movie more than anything else. In the last 5mins the movie destroyed all the good build up. It will probably be loved in the USA, but all other countries will be very disturbed and cringed by it, as the whole patriotism and hero chanting is way to much in this movie. Still...worth watching, but I have to say, that I was a little bit disappointed in the end. -
ThomasDrufke24 September 2017It's unfair to compare Stronger to Patriots Day, since they are entirely different features, but they will inevitably be pitted against each other in terms of quality. Luckily, both films are fantastic and present two completely different sides of the story, therefore both are worthy of being made. I was certainly moved to tears more than once in Patriots Day, but there's something truly special about Stronger. Quiet but powerful, Stronger keeps its focus on one unbelievable story without forgetting the importance of everyone banning together in Boston following the terrorist attack at the 2013 marathon.
It all starts with Jake Gyllenhaal and Tatiana Maslany's chemistry together as Jeff Bauman and Erin Hurley, a couple severely impacted by the bombing. Jeff, learning how to walk again after having his legs blown off, became a symbol of hope for the city of Boston, and quite frankly still is. Where Patriots Day focused solely on the bombing and bombers, Stronger keeps its focus on what an event like this can do to an already trying relationship. Their relationship is the heart and soul of the film, and Maslany and Gyllenhaal do a phenomenal job of making their chemistry feel real and grounded with earned emotion. I can't tell you how many times I felt overwhelmed with emotion just watching these actors work through their scenes together.
The entire film is grounded with that emotion, though. And several performances are worthy of Oscar nominations. I personally think Gyllenhaal and Maslany should be locks, but Miranda Richardson made a strong case for the supporting category playing Bauman's mother, Patty. These actors were the sole reason that I feel Stronger transcended the typical bio-drama in every sense. I love the quiet sense of dramatic weight that Stronger had. It doesn't show a ton of blood or trauma from the bombing, nor do we get extended close-ups of Gyllenhaal's loss of legs. Instead, director David Gordon Green ops to have his actors give the audience plenty of emotion through their words and facial expressions.
Stronger is a remarkably moving experience. It's really a personal romance that transcends into something that makes a whole generation inspired. Watch out for this one, it will be a sleeper pick come Oscar season, hopefully.
9.6/10 -
PotassiumMan27 September 2017Let me say this off the bat. I saw this film primarily because of Jake Gyllenhaal and the rave reviews he's gotten in portraying Jeff Bauman, the young man who lost his legs in the '13 Boston Marathon bombing and became a symbol of hope. Not because I think the bombing itself has not gotten enough attention and analysis from all quarters imaginable. The film is less about the day of the bombing than about Bauman's long road back afterward. On paper, this didn't look exceptionally enticing, but the rousing reviews drew me in. A well-received film with an actor of Gyllenhaal's caliber is tough to pass up.
There is enough narrative flow and great performances from Gyllenhaal and Tatiana Maslany as his transient girlfriend and Miranda Richardson as his hard-drinking, boisterous mother to make this film worth seeing. And the depiction of the bombing itself is well-executed and flashback scenes to Bauman's ravaged condition in the seconds and minutes immediately following the blast are gritty and powerful. The depiction of the family's insensitivity to Bauman's personal hardship is a worthwhile theme here. A scene in which his friends and family are blithely watching a Red Sox game while he has a painful collapse in the bathroom is one of the film's more genuine moments. Maslany captures the girlfriend wonderfully, though I'm tempted to argue her prominence in the film has been overstated in the reviews.
But make no mistake. I've seen this kind of film many, many, many times before. It does not stand out as far as doing anything ground-breaking. It's a simple blue collar tale of struggle and recovery through sheer heart and will power, the kind of story that has been told through the ages. That's what's disingenuous about the reviews. They led me to believe this was something more than conventional. It's as tried and true as they come. Everything from Hollywood's fixation on the feisty Boston persona to the moment of a tempestuous argument between two loved ones to the bar fight with the token idiot who spouts his nonsense. And there is also that moment in the spotlight with one of your favorite sports teams while masking deep personal turmoil. You have it all here in spades. I give David Gordon Green credit in making hay with a formula that has been done before, seemingly since the earliest of days. Recommended for the great performances. -
haines4035 December 2017Was the TV series shameless based on this guys family?his parents should hang their heads in shame if everything in this film is correct,even his friends were inbred scum...I felt sorry for the guy in more ways than one having those as relatives. In the end the banner waving,you beat terrorism sickly Americanism gets too much towards the end.
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burgerman9321 February 2023Gyllenhaal always gives 110% to any role. He nails the Boston accent, and also shows the anger and frustration of the rehabilitation journey, along with how he reconciles with his ex girlfriend. Gyllenhaal not only is a phenomenal actor here, but his comedy shines through too. He does has chemistry with actress Tatiana Maslany.
My big issue is that the characters who portray Jeff's family are all stooges, and they are just loud and unhelpful throughout. Jeff's mom especially is a piece of work and a lot of her one liners are crass. The one credible side character was Jeff's Costco manager, who doesn't have much screen time.
I think what would have made the movie better is showing more of Jeff's anxiety of becoming a father, how he returned back to work, and how he came to terms with PTSD. While this biopic did cover a lot of ground, i admit it was repetitious and uninspiring.
This flopped at the box office, so take your pick. I think it's worth watching this just to see Gyllenhaal's acting range. -
patricianledezma7 May 2018Jake gyllenhall did a good job. but the plot was pretty much cliche and predictable. lovable idiot gets maimed, suffers from ptsd, turns into a jerk, yells at everyone, and then finally realizes that he isn't the only one suffering in the world. he then turns into good guy and girl throws herself at him (cuz she's pregnant). Yawn.
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TxMike13 January 2018My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library. It is a well made movie and the lead actors all do fine jobs. It isn't an entertaining movie as such, the tragedy of a marathon bystander getting his legs blown off followed by the long road back to some sense of normalcy.
The family members featured here are vulgar types, often I wanted to reach in and punch the mom or the dad, I suppose it is authentic, I've never been around Boston blue collar people. They are hard to watch most of the time.
Jake Gyllenhaal is his usual good self as the victim, Jeff Bauman, a worker at Costco who only goes to see the finish of the 2013 Boston Marathon because his on-off girlfriend is running and he wanted to show her he had some responsibility. She is played also very well by Tatiana Maslany as Erin Hurley. Perhaps the best is British actress Miranda Richardson as the mother, Patty Bauman, who is so irritating all the way through. She is the one I most wanted to punch.
Anyway it is a worthwhile movie if a viewer wants a glimpse into what kind of background this injured person had and how he was able to overcome this tragedy and get on with life. -
buraggurden11 June 2019I loved this movie. It's based on a true story and it does truely give you all the feelings. It's a good watch if you are interested in individual lifestories.
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blanbrn27 September 2017"Stronger" the new biopic film about Jeff Bauman and the 2013 Boston marathon bombing is one tale of courage and dealing with pain and sorrow before coming to terms with life thru determination. The film is set from the beginning and deals with the marathon bombing to the struggle and life changing days of one Jeff Bauman(in one of Jake Gyllenhaal's best performances). The city of Boston from the scenes and accents is captured just perfect and the pain and blood wounds seen are felt and seem real like as the hospital stay that involves Jeff and his struggle to get back up with family and friends is highlighted and showcased with such pain and tough determination. This film proves that one's life can be turned upside down with an unexpected event and can change forever. Still with love, courage, and determination it can make one stronger forever.
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Let me start off by saying that what this film is based on, truly is really really powerful and really inspirational. It also makes you realize what simple things in life we take for granted, like walking. If that suddenly gets taken away from you it's like your world falls apart.. everyone around you suddenly needs to adapt as well and it just breaks a lot of relationships.. yet Jeff Bauman, in this film portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal shows us how to recover from such a terrible thing and to live life to the fullest.
The film itself portrayed this event, yet.. it felt lacking. Jake Gyllenhaal did an outstanding job in my oppinion but overall the general film felt quite boring and a drag.. the plot felt repetitive and lacked depth, just like the characters did. It definitely had some powerful moments in the film, but it felt like it didn't do true justice over the actual event. Overall it was not a bad film, it just felt like it had more potential than it brought out. -
simonfainshtein9 September 2017Stronger is a brilliant film with strong performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, and especially Miranda Richardson. David Gordon Green's choice to use practical lighting and creating a setting that seems real results in an extremely sincere film. John Pollono writes a script that held true to Jeff Blauman's story by focusing more on his struggles and keeping the Boston Marathon tragedy in the background. Also boobs.
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Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jeff Bauman, a young Bostoner who loses his legs as a result of the Boston Marathon bombings. And this film, based on Bauman's memoir, tells the story of his mental and physical recuperation. It is a bitter-sweet movie that aims for an emotional sucker-punch and ultimately connects quite well, much thanks to brilliant performances from Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany as his girlfriend, and a wonderful Miranda Richardson as his mother. They ensure that the film works well as a character study, even if director David Gordon Green's angles on the macro level may leave you with a vapid aftertaste of the Star-Spangled Banner in your mouth.
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SnoopyStyle5 January 2018Jeff Bauman (Jake Gyllenhaal) comes from a boisterous working-class Boston family. He's drinking with his mates as usual at the local bar when his ex Erin Hurley (Tatiana Maslany) walks in with her sister. They're collecting for her run in the Boston Marathon. To her surprise, he waits for her at the finish line and then the Boston bombing happens. Jeff has to deal with losing both his legs. As Erin takes care of him, she clashes with his mother (Miranda Richardson).
This is a pretty simple straight forward story. The outstanding aspect is the two terrific leads. Gyllenhaal is physically and emotionally powerful. Maslany matches him step for step. They have great back and forth. Their acting chemistry is powerful. This is a great character story. -
zachmetzgers1 December 2021Gyllenhaal give a powerful performance (as usual), and you root for his character in this true life story even if at times he's hard to like. But of course, the struggle is serious and understandable. At times, it got a little slow, but overall very compelling.
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burlesonjesse523 December 2017It's kind of eerie that Hollywood is so chomping at the bit to put out films about the Boston Marathon bombings. I mean jeez, it was only four darn years ago.
Take for instance, 2017's Stronger (my latest write-up). It's probably the umpteenth movie to take place in "Bahston" (the New Englander's pronunciation of Boston).
Stronger is about Jeff Bauman (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). Jeff attends the Boston Marathon to cheer on his on-again, off-again girlfriend (Erin Hurley played by Tatiana Maslany). As she nears the finish line, a bomb explodes near Jeff which causes him to lose his legs. During the remainder of the picture, Jeff tries to identify one of the bomber suspects. He also renders his battered body through rehabilitation and learns that he'll become a father.
Stronger strangely projects Bauman as the only one who ever suffered in the bombing tragedy. I don't think director David Gordon Green does this by design but it feels like the media is drawn only to Gyllenhaal's dramatis personae as opposed to any other denizen who lost a limb (and there were many).
So OK, I loved 2016's Patriot's Day (another tragic, Beantown true story). I loved it so much that I considered it one of the best films of last year. As for Stronger, well I wouldn't include it for this year. With a box office take of $6 million against a budget of $30 million, audiences have spoken just as I have.
Stronger reminded me slightly of 1989's Born on the Fourth of July. What can I say, as a critic movies always seem to remind me of other movies. The basic blueprint is a true to life persona who becomes disabled and then has to deal with the aftermath of his misfortune. The problem with Stronger, is that it's not as compelling or epic as Tom Cruise's Oscar winner. I wanted to shed a tear but alas, there was no real emotional response.
Now don't get me wrong. Stronger has raw acting of the highest order by stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Tatiana Maslany. And for the most part, the flick somewhat succeeds as a depressing, adhesive character study. Nonetheless, everything else in Stronger comes off like a snapshot or a melodramatic, R-rated TV vehicle. The movie lacks a feasible amount of character buildup and insight. And oh yeah, nothing on screen besides the lead performances, appears to be whole.
Added to that, Stronger fails to find a clear resolve. It gives us an abrupt, pat ending with obligatory credits about the real life Jeff along with actual images of him. Two hours seems like not enough time to tell the account of Stronger's legless subject. Heck, Stronger the movie is "light" as a feather.
In retrospect, I think there's an outside chance that Gyllenhaal and Maslany will get nominations at the Academy Awards (for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively). However, Stronger did come out in the month of September so that may hurt said chance.
In conclusion, I will always feel sad for the victims pertaining to what went down horrifically on April 15, 2013. But to be blunt, I think I'm gonna take a break from seeing films with a Boston-like setting. The accents, the Boston Red Sox baseball team, the pretentiousness of the city displayed on screen. It's all starting to get a little annoying. That's the "wicked" verity. Rating: 2 stars. -
Major movie makers have this annoying habit of trying to turn every success story into wave or genre. If something turns into notable success you can bet your sweet ass that they will try to copy that as long as they can – many years, usually. That's how I've turned away from superhero movies and computer animated features, for example. Even if I loved something initially, I just can't bear to watch the same blueprint again and again and again for 15 or even 30 years. (Then again, there are examples of waves/genres that I still like despite having seen enough of them, raunchy mainstream comedies for example ) Stronger" belongs to this new wave of creating partly fictional accounts of recent real events which garnered a lot of mass media attention and had an impact on the social conscious of the U.S. It's about Boston marathon bombing in April 2013 and what happened to this one guy (Jake Gyllenhaal) who lost his legs in explosion. The focus is on his family, especially the relations with on-again- off-again girlfriend (Tatiana Maslany). It's actually the second movie about the sad event, following Patriots Day" released in November 2016 – two months later in Estonian cinemas. Luckily for variety's sake, the two are as different as one could hope well, excluding the obligatory patriotic/uplifting finale, of course. The former falls into action/thriller/competence porn category and centers on the fervent terrorist hunt after the event. Stronger" shows that the worst actually comes after the explosion, when survivors have to pick themselves up and continue with their lives. It eschews any action-based approach and ventures boldly into dark relationship drama / character study territory which is great because the leading man Jake Gyllenhaal is good for this type of thing. Stronger" is promoted as an inspirational movie which doesn't come as a surprise considering the subject of the story and it's importance in modern American history. But its approach to what may be considered as inspirational is refreshingly different from expectations. The story concentrates on how the main character was something of a big baby living under mother's shadow to begin with, and the situ did not turn for the better after the personal tragedy. The family is bunch of (lower) working-class nobodies also, and the makers deserve credit for having been able to build suspense based on just watching their regular life, with drinking, arguing, cumulating stress and all. The girlfriend is the only other major character, and if you wish for more strong female figures in modern movies, you are in for a real treat. Erin is written an ordinary woman by any means but Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black") plays her into something great and memorable, which compensates well his wounded boyfriend's dark brooding. It's a great performance and one of the things you will probably remember long from this movie. As anticipated, Gyllenhaal's performance is just as good or even better. It's suitable territory for this versatile young actor who never fears to step in the dark side. The moodiness and brooding energy he brings to the role largely defines the whole movie, and how much you like the whole movie probably depends on how well you are able to emphatize with his character and its obvious weakneses and shortcomings. Oscar nominations are a real possibility, especially both for Gyllenhaal and Maslany. I could also see it happening for David Gordon Green the director and John Pollono for adapted screenplay (the story is based on a book written about real events, as said above). If they get lucky, Stronger" will also snag Oscar noms for best movie, and a number of more technical catgories, including cinematography and make-up. The almost shockingly unattractive and ordinary looks of the main character and his family, is really a thing to savor here. Not to mention Gyllenhaal looking deliciously horrible as a victim, wounds and leg stumps and all. It's safe to assume that most everybody was probably expecting certain amount of glamour from this 'uplifting' movie. After all this long text, I have reached the negative parts which may explain the rather surprisingly low score of 6. I have to say that Stronger" bears the usual weaknesses of director David Gordon Green's serious" movies (you probably know better his comedies such as Pineapple Express"). Green is adept enough at creating atmosphere and intriguing start but there's always some noticeable limpness to his brand of storytelling which makes losing interest before the end a very real possibility. It's true that Stronger" has much more dramatic punch than Green's previous known dramas such as Joe", Manglehorn", or Prince Avalanche", but it still manages to lose much of it somewhere during the final chapter. The story is just too long, getting more meandering and self- indulgent toward the end. So Stronger" is pretty good for the most part, and certainly deserves praise for daring to be different and doing it well. It's more difficult to predict much box office success because mainstream crowd would find it too uneventful and, probably, depressing. Just the same as Green's other serious movies mentioned above.