The recent release “Stronger” is a heartfelt journey to recovery based on the memoir by Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Jeff Bauman. Bauman, who lost both his legs to the 2013 tragedy that killed three spectators and injured hundreds, is played by Oscar nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal (“Brokeback Mountain”).
Directed by David Gordon Green (“Pineapple Express”), “Stronger” is not a story about the Boston bombing. Rather, it is a story about one of its survivors going from an everyday Chelmsford man to the face of “Boston Strong.”
Gyllenhaal gives us a raw and compelling performance as we see Bauman struggle to recover while being faced with the outside pressures of heroism. His saving grace and the backbone to the film is his on-again/ off-again girlfriend, Erin Hurley, who is portrayed by the captivating Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”).
The relationship between Bauman and Hurley carries the film as Bauman battles with vivid flashbacks and struggles with day to day routines. Bauman was at the finish line of the Boston Marathon in an attempt to prove to Hurley that he could actually show up for her. Her guilt of this and her love for Bauman tears at Hurley throughout the film while she sacrifices her family and job to stay by and help him 24/7.
There is no glorification of Bauman or his family in the film. While the outside world is labeling him a hero and saying things like, “you beat those terrorists,” Bauman wrestles with the idea of being something more than a victim. This struggle is magnified as he navigates countless rehabilitation appointments, a smothering alcoholic mother and a dwindling love life.
Through flashbacks we see glimpses of what the tragedy looked like. Bauman struggles with symptoms of PTSD as he is wheeled onto the ice at a Boston Bruins game, waving a “Boston Strong” flag just weeks after the bombing.
Gyllenhaal rips to the very core of his character’s pain in a performance that is already getting Oscar buzz.
The ending, just like the rest of the movie, is not clean-cut and doesn’t wrap up all the loose ends. Rather, Bauman gradually comes to a point where he can see how people find hope in his situation. Through encounters with family of military members that died in action and a breakdown from Hurley, Bauman realizes that the bombing didn’t just happen to him, it affected everyone he knew and countless others who have dealt with loss.
“Stronger” is a much needed breath of fresh air that allows viewers insight into the process of recovery and true human nature.
