Stronger

2017 • 118 minutes

About this movie

Stronger is the inspiring true story of Jeff Bauman, an ordinary man who captured the hearts of his city and the world to become the symbol of hope following the infamous 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Jeff, a 27-year-old, working-class Boston man who was at the marathon to try and win back his ex-girlfriend Erin (Tatiana Maslany). Waiting for her at the finish line when the blast occurs, he loses both his legs in the attack. After regaining consciousness in the hospital, Jeff is able to help law enforcement identify one of the bombers, but his own battle has just begun. He tackles months of physical and emotional rehabilitation with the unwavering support of Erin and his family. It is Jeff’s deeply personal account of the heroic journey that tests a family’s bond, defines a community’s pride and inspires his inner courage to overcome devastating adversity. Filled with raw emotion, humanity and humor, Stronger is the inspirational real-life story of the man who became the living embodiment of “Boston Strong.” The film also stars Academy Award® nominee Miranda Richardson and is directed by David Gordon Green. © 2017 ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Ratings and reviews

Jake Gyllenhaal can bring absolute tears upon anyone. In this darker and more grim focus on a singular live of a victim from the Boston Bombing, Jakey stars as Jeff Bauman. This film is not your typical inspirational story, it’s rough, rugged and heart-wrenching to watch. It’s excellent detail and horrendous turn of events helps create the realism of the whole biopic. The whole thing is not so upsetting however and there are quite some beautiful, eye-watering-ly good moments. My mum pointed out that co-star Tatiana Maslany had no make-up on and soon began that no one else in the film really did too. It’s a great moment for a film to really stick to its context, source material and subject in which it is dealing with. It’s great to see this type of film being represented in the way it’s purely meant to be. A neat little concept I liked is that you aren’t exposed to what actually happened at the event until later in film; and might I add it’s full on. Very detailed, very real and absolutely horrific to take in. Director David Gordon Green has a mighty fine precision in his shots and direction, making Stronger a satisfying ‘cinephileic’ film. And yes I just invented a word.

Boring. Was looking fw to it but It just didn't grab me like most true stories do

Extraordinary story told with honesty and respect. Jake Gyllenhaal is prodigiously talented and must have put in phenomenal work to tell Bauman's story with the authenticity it deserved.