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.