Whatever Doesn't Kill You Makes You "Stronger"

Stronger (2017)

Rated R

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson,

Directed by David Gordon Green

The Story:

In 2013, terrorists set off explosive devices at the Boston Marathon. One of those survivors, Jeff Bauman (Gyllenhaal) was there to cheer on his on-again/off-again girlfriend, Erin (Maslany). His courage and strength became a huge part of the #BostonStrong movement. Here is his story, warts and all.

I've been down this road before with 'based on true stories' before.

You want to like it, and you feel bad when you don't, because this was somebody's real-life story, not a character brought to life by the imagination of a screenwriter.

I would say if you wanted to watch a movie about the Boston Marathon bombing, go watch the far superior Patriots Day.

The biggest issue I had with this movie was Jeff Bauman himself.

He's an ass, pure and simple.

Sure, you feel bad for the guy and the situation that he's been put into, but he really wasn't that likable before the accident, and afterwards, he becomes nearly insufferable.

To his credit, Gyllenhaal comes across exactly as that.

You feel for the guy, then the next minute, you wouldn't mind punching him in the face.

Then there is Erin, the long-suffering girlfriend of the guy that wouldn't be there for her, then the one time he does something nice for her, this happens. How's that for a guilt trip, and she feels obliged to literally put her entire life on hold to be there for Jeff.

Do they really love each other?

Hard to say, but the implication is that they are simply bound together by fate, and actual feelings take a backseat in Boston.

Final Grade: C