[yasr_overall_rating]
Stronger is the inspiring real-life story of Jeff Bauman, an ordinary man who captured the hearts of his city and the world to become a symbol of hope following the infamous 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Jake Gyllenhaal is the only person who can outdo Jake Gyllenhaal. These were my thoughts as I sat through the film and then began instantly crushing over the actor and producer (“Nine Stories”) who sat just a few feet away from me while fielding questions about his roles in this film which both deserve mad props. As I repeated in my mind the infamous “I wish I knew how to quit you” from Gyllenhaal’s character in “Brokeback Mountain,” I found myself losing focus on Jeff Bauman, the Boston Marathon victim who lost both his legs below the knee back in 2013 during the Boston Marathon bombing. It wasn’t for long though because Jeff Bauman, the Superhero on the other side of Jake, was there smiling in his full prosthetic armor giving the entire theatrical audience a new lease on life as he explained how his three-year-old daughter helped him to put his legs on daily. As the playful banter between the two and the moderator went back and forth, it was obvious that the two-year relationship that formed during the filming of the movie was vital to the success of the film. Listen closely as Bauman describes the life-changing impact of his injuries and how his road to recovery irreversibly changed everyone who knew him.
It is just another day for Jeff as he makes his final rounds at Costco in preparation for getting off early to go to his favorite bar and watch his favorite team, the Red Sox, play baseball. At the bar, he runs into his ex-girlfriend, Erin Hurley (Tatiana Maslany), whom he had broken up with for the third time. As she is collecting funds to support her Boston Marathon run, to the dismay of his buddies, Jeff takes over and ups the ante causing her to get a major increase in funds from all the bar patrons. Bauman, in still trying to find a way to be with her, invites himself to show up at the finish line in support of her race and promises to make a sign to take with him. At home, Jeff is faced with more opposition as his mother Patty (Miranda Richardson), who is consistently in a state of drunkenness or incompleteness, has an overwhelming influence on everything he does, including his choice to repeatedly chase after a woman whom his mother feels isn’t worthy.
On the day of the marathon, as Erin approaches the finish line, bombs ring out as she attempts to retreat to a place of safety. Little does she realize that Jeff is on the other side fighting for his life after his legs have been blown off while he waited for her victory in completing the race. A stranger named Carlos, who just happens to be in the area collecting flags for his sons, ends up saving Jeff’s life after dragging him to safety and getting him the medical attention he needs.
After six weeks in the hospital where Jeff has undergone several operations and excruciating pain with Erin and his family by his side, Jeff is released back to the world to begin years of therapeutic and emotional recovery. The dysfunction of Jeff’s family and the surreal acceptance of an entirely new way of living, combined with the popularity of Jeff’s insurmountable existence, eventually begin to wear on him, creating animosity between his friends, family, and eventually, between him and his unshakeable love partner, Erin. The rollercoaster of emotions captures defining moments in the life of Jeff’s newfound status and also exposes the reality of going from being physically and emotionally dependent, to relying on others to direct his day to day functions.
Director David Gordon Green, along with producer Jake Gyllenhaal, do a remarkable job bringing to film the true story of Boston Marathon bombing victim, Jeff Bauman and the City of Boston that lifted him up. The entire cast was believable and every aspect, positive and negative, made for an endearing, yet heart-wrenching story of triumph over tragedy. The life lessons learned through this experience are invaluable to all ages and all experiences that challenge the mind, body, and soul. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the upside of losing!
*After the screening of the movie, actor and producer Jake Gyllenhaal, director David Gordon Green and Jeff Bauman, the real-life Boston Marathon bomb survivor that the film is based on, were in attendance to answer questions from the audience.
In select theaters Friday, September 22nd
