Stronger
Director: David Gordon Green
By Alex Watson
While Peter Berg's Patriots Day might have oversold the notion of 'Boston Strong', David Gordon Green's Stronger is a heartfelt picture about one man's struggle. Telling the story of real life Boston Marathon bombing victim Jeff Bauman, Green shows us the pain and psychological torture a person can go through when trying to get their back on track. Jake Gyllenhaal and Tatiana Maslany make for a fine on-screen pairing and the movie's backbone is built around these two performances.
Jeff Bauman (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a good hearted but unreliable young man involved in an on-off relationship with girlfriend Erin (Tatiana Maslany). One day when he fulfills his vow to show up at the finish line of the Boston Marathon- Jeff's world is torn apart. After having both legs amputated and becoming the focal point of media attention- Jeff faces an uphill struggle not helped by his alcoholic mother Patty's (Miranda Richardson) meddling.
The marathon itself and the manhunt that followed is given minimal attention in Stronger. When the bomb detonates we only see the horror's much later in the picture (and boy are they memorable). Green makes it clear that this is Jeff and Erin's story when we first meet the couple they are very much in an 'off' period of the relationship. Continually criticized by her for never showing up, the one day that he makes good- tragedy strikes. This moment is a recurring source of tension that threats to divide the pair. Afterwards, Jeff is thrust into a hellish world of pain, rehabilitation and squabbles between those he loves best. Patty is a never ending issue in his personal life, continually drunk, loud and bickering with Erin- her desire to show her brave son off to the world is a thorn in Jeff's side.
One aspect that Green portrays very well is the difficult burden Jeff carries being a survivor. Seen by many as a hero and a figure of hope, internally he is barely keeping his head above water. In one scene he is wheeled onto the TD Garden ice to wave a flag at a Boston Bruins playoff game. What begins as a celebration of Boston Strong quickly becomes a nightmarish scenario. Forced to keep up appearances, only Erin can see he is suffering. Green refuses to gloss over any minor details of Jeff's recovery and the audience will feel his pain along with him. Watching his leg bandages being removed for the first time guarantees squirms. There are also other struggles which increase our sympathy such as his tricky (and painful) first attempt at using the toilet. Feeling like he has lost his identity as a man, all these challenges and setbacks push him further into depression.
Stronger is not just a story about Jeff's recovery because Erin's own difficulties are also well covered. Forced to give up her life for a man who has let her down so many times causes a big rift in the relationship. Erin is a source of encouragement and support throughout, but due to Jeff's drinking and Patty's interference, she is often forced to butt heads with the man she loves. What is smart about this picture is that Jeff isn't made out to be a completely likable character. Sure, life has dealt him a cruel hand but he is also very stubborn when it comes to his recovery. When things come to a head, the issue of him still not being able to show up is bitterly thrown back in Erin's face "I SHOWED UP FOR YOU!" he yells with gusto. For a couple whose love is absolute, proving it seems to be the hardest part.
Jake Gyllenhaal gives a performance that should rightfully see him nominated come awards season. Few actors could have portrayed this kind of struggle with the right humanity and spirit. Gyllenhaal's performance is refreshingly down to earth and he doesn't seek to glorify Bauman's struggle. Instead, he makes us feel every moment and every inch of discomfort he encounters along the way and his refusal to acknowledge his hero status. Tatiana Maslany is also magnificent as Erin, fans of Canadian TV show Orphan Black will know already the presence she brings to a role. In Green's movie, Maslany is the voice of support but frequently it falls on deaf ears. In her quieter moments, we can feel the heavy load this character bears. Rightfully Maslany deserves as much credit as Gyllenhaal for the film's success.
Stronger is a movie that is uninterested in covering familiar ground and focusing on the struggle two individuals makes this a warmer and more personal ride.
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