Stronger Review

R: language throughout, some graphic injury images, and brief sexuality/nudity

Lionsgate

1 Hr and 59 Minutes

Director: David Gordon Green | Writer: John Pollono

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson, Clancy Brown

INTRO: Earlier this year, there was a film called Patriots Day which was about the tragic events of the Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013. I found it to be a compelling drama that pieced together a great story. Now we have a film centered on one of the victims who survived the bombing for this is a story based on the autobiography written by the real-life Jeff Bauman and by god its one of the best movies I’ve seen all year. This may be the second consecutive year where a film centered on events of the Boston Marathon Bombing end up on my best movie of the year list, and I don’t know how to feel about that.

THE GOOD

UNEXPECTED DIRECTION

This is one of those true stories that in the wrong hands it can come across as a manipulative drama flick, but luckily David Gordon Green pulled a 180 and brilliantly directs his talented cast as they all give some of the most emotional performances of their careers. I don’t know how the director of 'Pineapple Express,' 'Your Highness, and 'The Sitter' pull an ultimate Adam McKay and surprise the hell out of everyone with what he can truly do as a director, but he did. This has to be one of the most human of biopics I've seen in a long time. 

"Stronger" is rather nuanced in the way of how the story is assembled. Since this is based off Jeff's book and it is his story, the movie quickly sets up to the day leading up to the events and breeze through the event itself. The scene of the bombing lasts only two minutes and then it shifts primarily on Jeff and the aftermath of the tragic event.  This is prominently Jeff’s story, and the Boston Marathon Bombing is just a backdrop.

GYLLENHAAL BETTER GET THAT OSCAR NOM

I’m exhausted of saying these words,  “Jake Gyllenhaal delivers a phenomenal performance.” Because every time I say that, he gets snubbed from every recent Academy Award. I’m still here baffled of how his performance in Nightcrawler wasn’t nominated in 2014.

But this time, I’m going to say "If Gyllenhaal doesn't get an Oscar nomination for his performance, I’m going to kick someone’s ass." This isn’t a performance solely relied on delivery and expression but also movement. I don’t know how an abled-bodied actor who has working legs can ever pull off a performance where has to play a physically disabled character especially of how real it looks in every shot. You see the strengths and weaknesses of this man, and it is presented with many layers.  Jeff is an optimist who has never grown up and take everything as a joke. Even when he wakes up to the surprise if him having any legs, Jeff has a shocking sense of humor about it.  Then when he gets out in public, he is hailed as a hero, and you both relate and understand Jeff’s confusion of why he is welcomed as a hero.

MASLANY IS MAGIC

Tatiana Maslany may have never been in a leading role like this before, but this big screen debut is one her best performances since Orphan Black which isn’t saying much since that show just concluded.  

This may be Maslany’s first major film role, and she deserves every accolade that you know she's bound to be nominated for.  Maslany brings a ton of emotion as her character, Erin is the one who helps Jeff get on the right track to becoming better as both a person and back on track for his life.  Just like Orphan Black, she can be sweet one second and then take no shit in the next. It's so distressing to see how far she goes with Jeff as you see her go from square three to square one numerous of times. You get hints of how their relationship was prior to the film’s opening. While you think, “ Oh he can’t be that bad as a boyfriend,” you see how poorly he treats her that you believe that even if his legs were still attached, he would've still been the same person regardless. She is the only thoroughly likable character who is the voice of reason, and at times you resonate with her more than Jeff, and he’s the one who is in a wheelchair without any legs.

A NEW KIND OF BIOPIC

'Stronger' is not one of those dramas with a story that tells, “through his many losses, one man still found hope,” for it is a deep character driven film that shows even when the worst travesties can happen to a person, that person would still be the same person as before. It's one of those films that boldly expresses that some people aren't subjected to change, and that is one of the most human qualities a film can have.  You barely see that level of realism of how messy a person's life can be in modern biopics nowadays. There are some scenes where I forget that I’m watching a movie but a tragic character study.

THE BAD
    

FAMILY VALUES

One of the only issues I have with this film is Jeff’s family. For some reason, they don’t feel like a fleshed out family but more of a group of one-dimensional Boston stereotypes who are loud, selfish, clueless, and stupid. They are loving, and they mean well, but a lot of them are barely likable especially Jeff's overbearing mother. 

LAST STATEMENT

With exceptional performances by Gyllenhaal and Maslany, and an unexpected powerful direction by David Gordon Green, 'Stronger' is a grippingly profound biopic that adjusts its form storytelling to provide an insightful depth into Jeff Bauman's life and his road to growth. 

Rating: 4/5 | 89%

Super Scene: Erin calms Jeff and attempts to alleviate his pain by lovingly staring at him as his legs are uncovered from its stitches.