Stronger (film)

Last updated
Stronger
Stronger film poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by David Gordon Green
Screenplay by John Pollono
Based onStronger
by Jeff Bauman
Bret Witter
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Sean Bobbitt
Edited by Dylan Tichenor
Music by Michael Brook
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 8, 2017 (2017-09-08)(TIFF)
  • September 22, 2017 (2017-09-22)(United States)
Running time
119 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30 million [2]
Box office$8.5 million [3]

Stronger is a 2017 American biographical drama film directed by David Gordon Green and written by John Pollono, based on the memoir of the same name by Jeff Bauman and Bret Witter. It follows Bauman, who loses his legs in the Boston Marathon bombings and must adjust to his new life. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Bauman, with Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson, Carlos Sanz, and Clancy Brown in supporting roles.

Contents

Stronger had its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2017, and was theatrically released in the United States on September 22, 2017. [4] It received positive reviews from critics, who praised the mature take on the story and Gyllenhaal's performance, but was a box-office flop, grossing just $8 million against its $30 million budget. [5] [6]

Plot

Jeff Bauman is a well-intentioned but underachieving Boston native who works at the deli counter of a Costco and lives in a small two-bedroom apartment with his alcoholic mother Patty. One day at the local bar, Jeff runs into his ex-girlfriend Erin, who is attracted to his kindness and charm, but finds herself constantly frustrated by his lack of commitment. After learning that Erin is running in the 2013 Boston Marathon to raise money for the hospital she works at, Jeff asks every patron in the bar to donate and then promises Erin he'll wait at the finish line for her with a big sign.

The day of the Marathon, Jeff scrambles to make it to the finish line on time, but reaches it before Erin does. As she approaches the finish line, a bomb goes off right where Jeff is standing. After being rushed to a hospital, both of Jeff's legs are amputated above the knee. When he regains consciousness, Jeff tells his brother that he saw the bomber before the explosion. Patty calls the FBI, where Jeff is able to give them a description of Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Local authorities capture Dzhokhar Tsarnaev days later, and Jeff is hailed as a hero.

Jeff struggles to adjust to his condition, as well as his newfound fame. Patty books several interviews and constantly surrounds Jeff with news reporters during his rehab sessions, to which Erin, who has since rekindled her relationship with Jeff, objects. Jeff and his family are invited by the Boston Bruins to Game 2 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Bruins organization asks Jeff to wave the flag during the game's opening ceremony. The crowd at TD Garden triggers traumatic flashbacks for Jeff, and he breaks down in the elevator. Erin comforts him and insists he talk to his family about the fragility of his mental state and the impact his newfound exposure is having on it. Later that night, they make love for the first time since his injury.

Patty books Jeff an interview with Oprah Winfrey without telling him, causing Erin to speak up and tell Patty that the constant media attention is intensifying Jeff's PTSD. After an argument between Patty and Erin, Jeff finally admits that he doesn't want to do any more interviews. A disheartened Patty tells him that she only wishes for the world to see how amazing her son is. She soon begins enabling Jeff's worst tendencies, including his laziness and affinity for drinking. He begins missing physical therapy appointments, due to long nights of drinking usually with Patty. Erin, who has since moved in, finds Patty blacked out on the couch and an unconscious Jeff in a bathtub, covered in feces. The next day, she snaps at Patty for her selfishness and negligence before calling Jeff out for his self-pity and refusal to stand up to his mother. Erin storms off, leaving Jeff and Patty to drive home alone.

That night, Jeff blows off Erin to drink with his brothers at a bar. Two patrons at the bar begin asking Jeff questions about the bombing, insinuating that the event was a government conspiracy to start a war in Iran and Jeff was paid to look like a victim. Insulted, Jeff and his brothers initiate a bar fight with the patrons. Erin picks him up later that night and tells him that she's pregnant. Agitated and enraged, Jeff panics and rants at her that he isn't ready to be a father, causing Erin to accuse him of constantly running away from his problems. Heartbroken, she leaves him in the car without removing his wheelchair from the trunk, enters their apartment, and packs her things. Jeff crawls to the apartment door and has a PTSD flashback of the bombing in its entirety.

Jeff meets with Carlos, a man who cared for him in the immediate aftermath of the bombing saving his life. Carlos tells him about his son, a Marine who died in the Iraq War. After attempting suicide, Carlos was forced to attend his son's funeral on a stretcher. His younger son, unable to cope with the death of his older brother and the constant state of pain his father was in, killed himself. Carlos confides that saving Jeff helped him make peace with the death of his sons and the blame he placed upon himself because of them. Jeff begins to understand that his will to live in the face of adversity is what both comforts and inspires people. He stops drinking and begins to take his rehab more seriously. He leaves Erin a voicemail apologizing for his behavior, finally taking full responsibility for his immaturity and fear of commitment. A few days later, he and Carlos throw out the first pitch for a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, where he meets Pedro Martinez. Erin watches at home and smiles. After the game, dozens of people come up to Jeff and tell him how and why he has so heavily impacted their lives.

Patty drops off Jeff for an eating date with Erin at a diner where he walks with his prosthetics for the first time without assistance. He tells Erin he loves her, to which she replies, "Good." He grabs her hand and smiles.

Cast

Production

On July 14, 2014, it was reported that Lionsgate was developing a film based on Jeff Bauman's memoir Stronger, with playwright John Pollono writing the script. [7] On July 17, 2015, David Gordon Green signed on to direct the film. [8] On July 29, 2015, it was reported that Jake Gyllenhaal was in talks to play Bauman, [9] and on October 7, 2015, it was reported that Tatiana Maslany was in talks to play Bauman's girlfriend Erin Hurley. [10] On February 2, 2016, Bold Films signed on to produce and finance the film. [11] On April 5, 2016, Miranda Richardson and Clancy Brown joined the film, as Bauman's mother and father, respectively. [12] The same month, Frankie Shaw joined the cast. [13] Filming began in Greater Boston (including the city of Boston) and New York City on April 4, 2016. [14]

Reception

Box office

Stronger grossed $4.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $3.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $7.7 million. [3]

Stronger was released on September 22, 2017, by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions. [15] The film debuted in 574 theaters and grossed $1.6 million in its opening weekend, finishing 8th at the box office. [16] In its second weekend, despite being added to 72 theaters, the film dropped 38% to $986,560 and 13th place. [17]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 91% based on 196 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Stronger rises on the power of its well-chosen ensemble to offer an emotionally resonant fact-based story that transcends inspirational drama clichés." [18] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 76 out of 100, based on reviews from 41 critics. [19] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale. [20]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientsResultRef.
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 11, 2018 Best Actor Jake Gyllenhaal Nominated [21]
Hollywood Film Awards November 5, 2017 Hollywood Actor Award Won [22]
Satellite Awards February 10, 2018 Best Actor Nominated [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Gyllenhaal</span> American actor (born 1980)

Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal is an American actor who has worked prolifically on screen and stage in a career spanning over thirty years. Born into the Gyllenhaal family, he is the son of film director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, and the younger brother of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. He began acting as a child, making his acting debut in City Slickers (1991), followed by roles in his father's films A Dangerous Woman (1993) and Homegrown (1998). His breakthrough roles were as Homer Hickam in the biographical drama film October Sky (1999) and as a psychologically troubled teenager in the thriller film Donnie Darko (2001). Gyllenhaal expanded to big-budget films with a starring role in the 2004 disaster film The Day After Tomorrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tatiana Maslany</span> Canadian actress (born 1985)

Tatiana Gabriele Maslany is a Canadian actress. She rose to prominence for playing multiple characters in the science-fiction thriller television series Orphan Black (2013–2017), which won her a Primetime Emmy Award (2016) and five Canadian Screen Awards (2014–2018). Maslany is the first Canadian to win an Emmy in a major dramatic category for acting in a Canadian series.

<i>Southpaw</i> (film) 2015 film by Antoine Fuqua

Southpaw is a 2015 American sports drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua, written by Kurt Sutter and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker and Rachel McAdams. The film follows a boxer who sets out to get his life back on track after losing his wife to gun violence and later his young daughter to child protective services. The film was released on July 24, 2015, by The Weinstein Company. The film received mixed reviews from critics, while Gyllenhaal and Oona Laurence's performances received positive reviews. The film grossed $95 million worldwide against a production budget of $30 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankie Shaw</span> American actress, writer and director (born 1981 or 1982)

Rachel Frances Shaw is an American actress, writer and director. She is best known for playing Bridgette Bird on the Showtime series SMILF, based on the 2015 short film of the same title, which she wrote, directed and starred in. Shaw is also known for playing Mary Jo Cacciatore on the 2010–2011 Spike TV series Blue Mountain State, and her recurring role as Shayla Nico in the first season of the USA Network television series Mr. Robot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Gyllenhaal on screen and stage</span>

Jake Gyllenhaal is an American actor who has appeared in over 35 motion pictures, three television programs, one commercial, and four music videos. He made his film debut in 1991 with a minor role in the comedy-drama City Slickers. In 1993, he appeared in A Dangerous Woman, a motion picture adaptation directed by Gyllenhaal's father Stephen Gyllenhaal and co-written by his mother Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal that was based on the novel of the same name by Mary McGarry Morris. In the following year, he portrayed Robin Williams' son in an episode of the police procedural television series Homicide: Life on the Street; the episode was directed by his father. In 1999, Gyllenhaal starred in the Joe Johnston-directed drama October Sky; the film was received warmly by critics, and Gyllenhaal's portrayal of the NASA engineer Homer Hickam was praised.

<i>The Glass Castle</i> (2017 film) 2017 American drama film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

The Glass Castle is a 2017 American biographical drama film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Cretton, Andrew Lanham, and Marti Noxon. It is based on Jeannette Walls' 2005 best-selling memoir of the same name. Depicting Walls' childhood, where her family lived in poverty and sometimes as squatters, the film stars Brie Larson as Walls, with Naomi Watts, Woody Harrelson, Max Greenfield, and Sarah Snook in supporting roles.

<i>Patriots Day</i> (film) 2016 film by Peter Berg

Patriots Day is a 2016 American action thriller film based on the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 and the subsequent terrorist manhunt. Directed by Peter Berg and written by Berg, Matt Cook, and Joshua Zetumer, the film is based on the book Boston Strong by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, J. K. Simmons, and Michelle Monaghan. It marks the third collaboration between Berg and Wahlberg, following Lone Survivor and Deepwater Horizon. The title refers to Patriots' Day, the Massachusetts state holiday on which the Boston Marathon is held.

<i>Life</i> (2017 film) 2017 US science fiction horror film by Daniel Espinosa

Life is a 2017 American science fiction horror film directed by Daniel Espinosa, written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick and starring an ensemble cast consisting of Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ariyon Bakare, and Olga Dihovichnaya. In the film, a six-member crew of the International Space Station uncovers the first evidence of extraterrestrial life on Mars. When members of the crew conduct their research, the rapidly evolving life-form proves to be far more intelligent and dangerous than expected.

Nine Stories Productions is a New York–based film, theater and television production company founded by Jake Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker in 2015. Nine Stories has a first-look deal with Bold Films, the company behind Whiplash, Drive, and Nightcrawler, the latter of which Gyllenhaal starred in and produced. Gyllenhaal won an Independent Spirit Award for producing Nightcrawler and was an executive producer on David Ayer's End of Watch. Marker produced Cary Fukunaga's critically acclaimed child soldier drama Beasts of No Nation and was an executive producer on Academy Award nominated The Kids Are All Right.

<i>The Catcher Was a Spy</i> (film) 2018 American film by Ben Lewin

The Catcher Was a Spy is a 2018 American war film directed by Ben Lewin and written by Robert Rodat, based on the book of the same name by Nicholas Dawidoff. It stars Paul Rudd as Moe Berg, a former baseball player who joined the war effort during World War II and participated in espionage for the U.S. Government. Mark Strong, Sienna Miller, Jeff Daniels, Tom Wilkinson, Giancarlo Giannini, Hiroyuki Sanada, Guy Pearce, and Paul Giamatti also star. The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, and was released on June 22, 2018, by IFC Films.

<i>Killing Gunther</i> 2017 American action comedy film

Killing Gunther is a 2017 American mockumentary action comedy film written and directed by Taran Killam, in his directorial debut. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as the titular Gunther alongside Killam, Cobie Smulders, and Bobby Moynihan. It was released on video on demand on September 22, 2017, before being given a limited theatrical release on October 20, 2017, by Saban Films.

<i>Sicario: Day of the Soldado</i> 2018 film by Stefano Sollima

Sicario: Day of the Soldado is a 2018 American action-thriller film directed by Stefano Sollima and written by Taylor Sheridan. A sequel to 2015's Sicario, the film features Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Jeffrey Donovan, and Raoul Trujillo reprising their roles, with Isabela Moner, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Catherine Keener joining the cast. The story relates to human trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border and an attempt by the United States government to incite increased conflict among the cartels.

<i>On Chesil Beach</i> (film) 2017 British film

On Chesil Beach is a 2017 British drama film directed by Dominic Cooke and written by Ian McEwan, who adapted his own 2007 Booker Prize-nominated novella of the same name. It stars Saoirse Ronan and Billy Howle and tells the story of virgins, Florence and Edward, and their first disastrous attempt at having sex on their wedding night. The initial experience and their differing responses to the failure have lifelong consequences for both.

<i>Gotti</i> (2018 film) 2018 film by Kevin Connolly

Gotti is a 2018 American biographical crime film about New York City mobster John Gotti, directed by Kevin Connolly and written by Lem Dobbs and Leo Rossi. It stars John Travolta as Gotti, alongside his real-life wife Kelly Preston as Gotti's wife Victoria in her penultimate film.

<i>The Sisters Brothers</i> (film) 2018 film by Jacques Audiard

The Sisters Brothers is a 2018 Western film directed by Jacques Audiard from a screenplay he co-wrote with Thomas Bidegain, based on the novel of the same name by Patrick deWitt. An American and French co-production, it is Audiard's first English-language work. The film stars John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix as the notorious assassin brothers Eli and Charlie Sisters, and follows the two brothers as they chase after two men who have banded together to search for gold.

<i>Hotel Artemis</i> 2018 film by Drew Pearce

Hotel Artemis is a 2018 dystopian action crime thriller film written and directed by Drew Pearce, in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Jodie Foster, Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Jeff Goldblum, Charlie Day, Brian Tyree Henry, Jenny Slate, Dave Bautista, and Zachary Quinto. The plot follows Jean Thomas, a nurse who runs a secret hospital for criminals in futuristic Los Angeles. It was released in the United States on June 8, 2018. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its visual style, intriguing screenplay and acting but found the execution poor. It was a box office bomb, only grossing $13 million against a budget of $15 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Bauman</span> American author

Jeff Bauman is an American author. He lost both of his legs during the Boston Marathon Bombing attack in 2013 and was the subject of a famous photograph taken in the aftermath of the bombing. The film Stronger is based on a memoir of the same name he co-wrote, with actor Jake Gyllenhaal portraying Bauman.

John Pollono is an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor. He is best known for writing the 2017 film Stronger and the plays Small Engine Repair and Lost Girls, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2013 and 2015, respectively. As an actor, he is known for his recurring roles in the TNT series Mob City and NBC's This Is Us.

<i>Guy Ritchies The Covenant</i> 2023 film by Guy Ritchie

Guy Ritchie's The Covenant is a 2023 American action drama film co-written, produced and directed by Guy Ritchie. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim. Its plot follows John Kinley, a U.S. Army Green Beret Master Sergeant, and Ahmed, his Afghan interpreter, fighting the Taliban.

In the Grey is an upcoming American action adventure film written and directed by Guy Ritchie and produced by Black Bear Pictures, starring Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza González. It is set to be released in the United States on January 17, 2025, by Lionsgate.

References

  1. ↑ "Stronger". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2017-08-23. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Inside Jake Gyllenhaal's Nine Stories, a Production Company for Edgy Indies". Variety . Penske Business Media. September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Stronger (2017)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Toronto Film Festival 2017 Unveils Strong Slate". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Business Media. 25 July 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  5. ↑ Giles, Jeff (September 28, 2017). "American Made is Certified Fresh". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  6. ↑ Lee, Benjamin (September 9, 2017). "Stronger review – Jake Gyllenhaal is Oscar-worthy in moving Boston marathon drama". The Guardian . Guardian News and Media. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  7. ↑ Ford, Rebecca (July 14, 2014). "Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor's Story Getting Movie Treatment From Lionsgate". The Hollywood Reporter . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  8. ↑ Kit, Borys (July 17, 2015). "David Gordon Green Tackling Boston Marathon Bombing With 'Stronger' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  9. ↑ Kroll, Justin (July 29, 2015). "Jake Gyllenhaal Circles Boston Marathon Bombing Pic 'Stronger' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Penske Business Media . Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  10. ↑ Kroll, Justin (October 7, 2015). "'Orphan Black's' Tatiana Maslany in Talks to Join Jake Gyllenhaal in 'Stronger'". Variety . Penske Business Media . Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  11. ↑ McNary, Dave (February 2, 2016). "Jake Gyllenhaal's Boston Marathon Bombing Movie Backed by Bold Films". Variety . Penske Business Media . Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  12. ↑ McNary, Dave (April 5, 2016). "Miranda Richardson Joins Jake Gyllenhaal's Boston Marathon Bombing Movie 'Stronger'". Variety . Penske Business Media . Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  13. ↑ A. Lincoln, Ross (April 29, 2016). "Frankie Shaw Joins Boston Marathon Bombing Drama 'Stronger'". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Business Media . Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  14. ↑ "'Stronger', starring Jake Gyllenhaal, begins filming in Boston". On Location Vacations. April 5, 2016. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  15. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 27, 2017). "Lionsgate Teams With Roadside For Jake Gyllenhaal Boston Marathon Bombing Drama 'Stronger'; September Bow Planned". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Business Media . Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  16. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 24, 2017). "'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' Ropes $38M+; 'Ninjago' Dulls Sword To $21M; 'Friend Request' A Loner With $1.8M". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Business Media . Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  17. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony. "'It' Breaks Three-Way Tie Battle, 'Kingsman' & 'American Made' Fight For Second". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Business Media . Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Stronger (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Stronger Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  20. ↑ Brooks, Brian (September 24, 2017). "'Victoria and Abdul' Reigns with Top PTA; 'Stronger' & 'Battle of the Sexes' Solid – Specialty Box Office". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Business Media . Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  21. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (December 6, 2017). "2018 Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Shape of Water Leads With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  22. ↑ Lee, Ashley (October 25, 2017). "Hollywood Film Awards to Honor Kate Winslet and Jake Gyllenhaal". The Hollywood Reporter . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  23. ↑ "2017 Winners". Satellite Awards . International Press Academy. November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.