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8

moviemitch96Sep 26, 2017

Didn't have as quite as strong of an impact on me as last year's Boston Marathon bombing film "Patriots Day", but this was definitely much more inspirational and full of heart overall, with Jake Gyllenhaal's moving performance acting as theDidn't have as quite as strong of an impact on me as last year's Boston Marathon bombing film "Patriots Day", but this was definitely much more inspirational and full of heart overall, with Jake Gyllenhaal's moving performance acting as the beating heart. Supporting turns from familiar faces, such as Miranda Richardson and Clancy Brown as Gyllenhaal's character's parents also served the film well. Overall, it may be pretty formulaic in terms of its predictable crowd-pleasing style, but its message and performances from the dedicated cast are quite fine enough to overcome that.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

Humble_BragSep 22, 2017

Lets talk about bad first. The ending is too cheesy for me, the tone is forced by the generic music. The rest of the movie is excellent. Jake Gyllenhaal is great, the movie has great heart, the perspective is refreshing.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

netflicOct 2, 2017

This is a docu-drama about a real person, Jeff Bauman, who got severely injured during the infamous Boston marathon bombing of 2013.

He became a symbol of Boston's spirit after surviving the bombing and loosing both of his legs. This is aThis is a docu-drama about a real person, Jeff Bauman, who got severely injured during the infamous Boston marathon bombing of 2013.

He became a symbol of Boston's spirit after surviving the bombing and loosing both of his legs.

This is a very well-made emotional movie intended for a much wider audience, not just art-house and independent movies crowd.

Jake Gyllenhaal, one of my most favorite actors, plays the the protagonist, Jeff Bauman, and he shines there. Not only him but the whole cast performs very strongly, in accordance with the movie's name. I believe we will see quite a few names from this movie in Oscar list for 2017.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

FedorkoNov 14, 2017

One of the better written biopics I've seen. Gritty and realistic because of good direction, writing and acting, Stronger is a worthy dedication. Its message rings true because it doesn't tip-toe around issues. Yes, there are some one-linersOne of the better written biopics I've seen. Gritty and realistic because of good direction, writing and acting, Stronger is a worthy dedication. Its message rings true because it doesn't tip-toe around issues. Yes, there are some one-liners that are kind of painful, but otherwise the supporting cast does wonders.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

bmaster4616Sep 26, 2017

Stronger (2017) review
I remember seeing this film at one of the previews to a film and completely forgot about it. I then was hearing it got great reviews so I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did. This based on a true story movie onStronger (2017) review
I remember seeing this film at one of the previews to a film and completely forgot about it. I then was hearing it got great reviews so I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did. This based on a true story movie on the Boston Marathon is a wondering showing of talent from all around. Not sure if it was in the editing or they wrote it in the screenplay, but the way it was structured help with the emotion. It never showed the event from his perspective until later in the film. It really was put in the right area. Also, damn are the performances fantastic. This is expected from someone like Jake G. but I had never seen Tatiana Maslany in a movie ever and she was fantastic. She never felt like she was misplaced or felt like she didn't belong. She put it up with Jake G. the whole time as he produced one of the best performances by him. There wasn't any when he came out and we thought we were watching the actor. There were times when he did show emotion but it never felt like he was asking. This is top two of his because it always felt like it was grounded in realism. He kills it again. The story itself also shows how the stages of grief can affect both the victim and the family but never felt cliche like a lot of bad inspirational films do. Overall I was very pleased with the film and actually liked it more than Patriot's day that came out last year.

9.5/10
A… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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10

Compi24Oct 3, 2017

Just like Peter Berg's "Patriots Day," "Stronger" is one of those movies that - simply put - puts everything in perspective for you, the audience member. Thanks to some absolutely magnificent performances from Jake Gyllenhaal and TatianaJust like Peter Berg's "Patriots Day," "Stronger" is one of those movies that - simply put - puts everything in perspective for you, the audience member. Thanks to some absolutely magnificent performances from Jake Gyllenhaal and Tatiana Maslany, the careful and creative directorial work from David Gordon Green, and an absolutely riveting script from screenwriter John Pollono, we're delivered an achingly human film that harbors some unfortunately unsung truths to be told about survivor's guilt, remorse, and the horrors of post-traumatic stress. "Stronger" is a triumph and one of the year's best films without a doubt. It should be seen by all.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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8

CarFan1999Oct 8, 2017

Coupled to the amazing story is an award-winning performance from Jake Gyllenhaal. He powerfully conveys Bauman’s emotions throughout the movie and simply does a fantastic job. His performance feels natural to the point where you see BaumanCoupled to the amazing story is an award-winning performance from Jake Gyllenhaal. He powerfully conveys Bauman’s emotions throughout the movie and simply does a fantastic job. His performance feels natural to the point where you see Bauman himself and not an actor playing him. It is helped out by a story that also feels natural and not dramatized by Hollywood. Most of the supporting cast, especially from Tatiana Maslany (who plays Jeff’s girlfriend), also give emotionally rich performances.

Stronger isn’t an easy watch. I personally teared up 4 times. There are also some lulls in the story, not to mention lots of strong language. However, with a story that feels natural and an absolutely outstanding performance from Jake Gyllenhaal, Stronger is a powerfully moving film.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

TVJerrySep 27, 2017

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jeff Bauman, the man who lost both legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. This story follows him thru the pain of recovery, rehab and depression to the eventual courage that helped him overcome his adversity. HisJake Gyllenhaal plays Jeff Bauman, the man who lost both legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. This story follows him thru the pain of recovery, rehab and depression to the eventual courage that helped him overcome his adversity. His off-again/on-again girlfriend (Tatiana Maslany) and his outspoken working-class family add complications. As I watched scene after scene that should be painful (both mentally and physically), I pondered, "Why am I not moved?" Gyllenhaal gave it his all, as did the entire cast, but until one of the last scenes, the movie never generated much empathy. It's a personal story that's sometimes nuanced and sensitive, but never held the emotional heft that would have made it more effective. To see a truly impactful film about this bombing, see "Patriots Day."… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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6

KaptenVideoOct 6, 2017

Major movie makers have this annoying habit of trying to turn every success story into wave or genre. If something turns into notable success you can bet your sweet ass that they will try to copy that as long as they can – many years,Major movie makers have this annoying habit of trying to turn every success story into wave or genre. If something turns into notable success you can bet your sweet ass that they will try to copy that as long as they can – many years, usually.
That’s how I’ve turned away from superhero movies and computer animated features, for example. Even if I loved something initially, I just can’t bear to watch the same blueprint again and again and again for 15 or even 30 years.
„Stronger“ belongs to this new wave of creating partly fictional accounts of recent real events which garnered a lot of mass media attention and had an impact on the social conscious of the U.S.
It’s about Boston marathon bombing in April 2013 and what happened to this one guy (Jake Gyllenhaal) who lost his legs in explosion. The focus is on his family, especially the relations with on-again-off-again girlfriend (Tatiana Maslany).
It’s actually the second movie about the sad event, following „Patriots Day“ released in November 2016 – two months later in Estonian cinemas. Luckily for variety’s sake, the two are as different as one could hope… well, excluding the obligatory patriotic/uplifting finale, of course.
The former falls into action/thriller/competence porn category and centers on the fervent terrorist hunt after the event. „Stronger“ shows that the worst actually comes after the explosion, when survivors have to pick themselves up and continue with their lives.
It eschews any action-based approach and ventures boldly into dark relationship drama / character study territory which is great because the leading man Jake Gyllenhaal is good for this type of thing.
„Stronger“ is promoted as an inspirational movie which doesn’t come as a surprise considering the subject of the story and it’s importance in modern American history. But its approach to what may be considered as inspirational is refreshingly different from expectations.
The story concentrates on how the main character was something of a big baby living under mother’s shadow to begin with, and the situ did not turn for the better after the personal tragedy.
The family is bunch of (lower) working-class nobodies also, and the makers deserve credit for having been able to build suspense based on just watching their regular life, with drinking, arguing, cumulating stress and all.
The girlfriend is the only other major character, and if you wish for more strong female figures in modern movies, you are in for a real treat.
Erin is written an ordinary woman by any means but Tatiana Maslany („Orphan Black“) plays her into something great and memorable, which compensates well his wounded boyfriend’s dark brooding. It’s a great performance and one of the things you will probably remember long from this movie.
As anticipated, Gyllenhaal’s performance is just as good or even better. It’s suitable territory for this versatile young actor who never fears to step in the dark side.
The moodiness and brooding energy he brings to the role largely defines the whole movie, and how much you like the whole movie probably depends on how well you are able to emphatize with his character and its obvious weakneses and shortcomings.
Oscar nominations are a real possibility, especially both for Gyllenhaal and Maslany. I could also see it happening for David Gordon Green the director and John Pollono for adapted screenplay.
If they get lucky, „Stronger“ will also snag Oscar noms for best movie, and a number of more technical catgories, including cinematography and make-up.
The almost shockingly unattractive and ordinary looks of the main character and his family, is really a thing to savor here.
Not to mention Gyllenhaal looking deliciously horrible as a victim, wounds and leg stumps and all. It’s safe to assume that most everybody was probably expecting certain amount of glamour from this ’uplifting’ movie.
After all this long text, I have reached the negative parts which may explain the rather surprisingly low score of 6.
I have to say that „Stronger“ bears the usual weaknesses of director David Gordon Green’s „serious“ movies.
Green is adept enough at creating atmosphere and intriguing start… but there’s always some noticeable limpness to his brand of storytelling which makes losing interest before the end a very real possibility.
It’s true that „Stronger“ has much more dramatic punch than Green’s previous known dramas such as „Joe“, „Manglehorn“, or „Prince Avalanche“, but it still manages to lose much of it somewhere during the final chapter.
The story is just too long, getting more meandering and self-indulgent toward the end.
So… „Stronger“ is pretty good for the most part, and certainly deserves praise for daring to be different and doing it well.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

eagleeyevikingDec 14, 2017

"Stronger" is a terrifically acted, emotional dramatisation of a survivor's path to recovery after the Boston Marathon bombing.