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ShangLuda Admirable film.

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Jack Bennett The true story of Jeff Bauman, who lost his legs in the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 and his very public struggle to get on with his life as the face of 'Boston Strong'.Based on the book written by the man himself, Jeff Bauman, Stronger sees Jake Gyllenhaal vie for awards glory in a film that is unlike any other inspirational real-life drama for three key reasons. For one, the two leads put in incredible performances (nay, Oscar-worthy - I personally would've given the nod to Gyllenhaal over Denzel Washington) and have genuine chemistry. Secondly, the focus is on the concept of being a hero rather than his/her upward journey. And finally, the film understands the journey from a trauma through its repercussions that makes a hero is rarely as inspirational to the people who endured it.There are some great scenes dotted throughout the 2-hour runtime which are less apologetic about Jeff's struggle to adapt. These include a lengthy sequence with Gyllenhaal's brilliant co-star Tatiana Maslany in which his bandages are first changed in the hospital and he looks into his on/off girlfriend Erin's eyes rather than focus on the agonising pain. There is a shorter scene which depicts his first attempt to use the bathroom alone is the cramped 2-bed flat he shares with his mother (brilliantly played by Miranda Richardson), and the entire emotional weight comes crashing down as he realises how his focus on himself as the victim ultimately alienates Erin.The stand-out moment which seems to have been largely forgotten is upon leaving the hospital after his double amputation, Jeff gives a thumbs up to the waiting crowd of journalists and photographers but it's clear his gesture is empty - he feels he must be upbeat despite the great tragedy that has befallen him and his family. The film continues this theme and pokes constant fun at the public need for a personal image to symbolise strength in the face of adversity, even if they want nothing to do with it.Stronger didn't perform well at the box office ($8m back from a $30m investment) but it wasn't only made to be profitable. It's surely no coincidence that the film is co-produced by Gyllenhaal himself meaning, while it's a good adaptation of a story worth telling in its own right, it'll be remembered as a failed Oscar vehicle for the man nominated only for Supporting Actor (Brokeback Mountain). Which is a shame.Best Quote: "I'm a hero for just standing there and getting my legs blown off?"

eddie_baggins 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

patricianledezma Jake 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.

ccorral419 Director David Gordon Green ("Vice Principals") released this film in mid-2017 to little fan faire. Based on Boston Marathon survive Jeff Bauman's book "Stronger," the screenplay is excellantly written by John Pollono ("This is Us"), who takes viewers back to the Boston Bombing period and into the life of an average guy Jeff Bauman (played with heart and realism by Jake Gyllenhaal), who following the incident finds himself and his family reluctantly front and center to an American tragedy, and one of the main figures associated with the "Boston Strong" symbol. Director Gordon Green and writer Pollono know how to tell a heart wrenching story, by enabling the characters to bring naturalism to their performances and graciously digging into the untold story of Bauman's family. Gyllenhaal's outstanding performance here is anchored by his on screen girlfriend Erin (equally portrayed with honesty by Canadian actress Tatian Maslany - "Orphan Back") and their Boston families (featuring terrific performances by Miranda Richardson, Lenny Clarke and Clancy Brown and up and coming character actors Richard Lane, Jr., Nate Richman, Patty O'Neil - to name a few). Shot on location, and in association with Boston, many individuals who actually participated in the recovery of the victims are featured here in the film, bring yet additional realism to the production. This film will probably not make it back to the big screen, however, finding it in other formats is highly recommended. This film was screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival #PSIFF2018