Stronger better earn Jake Gyllenhaal an Oscar nomination

RELEASED on DVD on December 19th.

Movie Title:   Stronger (2017)

Grade: A-

Rating: R, 119 minutes

In a Nutshell:   Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance is outstanding, as always.  He’s truly fantastic in everything he does.  I'm such a fan. I'd love to see him get an Oscar nomination for this role.  He deserves it.  He really makes you feel.

This dramatic, true story spotlights emotional honesty as one of the many heroes from the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 attempts to regain his life.  The fantastic Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jeff Bauman, whose

If you like this kind of #BostonStrong movie, there is another one very similar called Patriot's Day.  In fact, both movies were filmed at the same time.

#BostonStrong !!

 

Uplifting theme: 

• Tenacity, perseverance
• Strength of every kind
• family, loyalty
• "You helped me as much as I helped you." - Carlos (Carlos Sanz)   I was super impressed with Carlos' humble spirit.
• "I just want to see the world from higher up." - Jeff (Jake Gyllenhaal)  I'm interpreting that line in a couple of different ways.  He says it when he realizes he wants to be a better man, as well as get out of his wheelchair and walk.
• Hope

Things I liked:

• Fantastic camera angle in the scene where they take off Jeff’s bandages.
• It doesn’t feel like an acted movie, but more of a realistic documentary.
• I’ve been to Boston twice and absolutely love it there.  It just broke my heart to see the iconic city in so much pain.  I will never understand evil people who hurt others.
• It's not just about a man's rehabilitation from a terrible injury, but also the transition from being a regular guy to a national hero.
• Director David Gordon Green hired real medical personnel to act in certain scenes, which is pretty cool.  My twin sister is a nurse.
• There is an incredibly touching, powerful scene towards the end of the movie that will make you weep or even sob.
• Miranda Richardson was really great.
• Tatiana Maslany also did a fantastic job.  The relationship between Jeff and Erin was really interesting and showed the ups and downs of a relationship under stress and extremely unusual circumstances.
• Both Jeff Bauman and Jake Gyllenhaal got to throw the first pitch at Boston's Fenway Park in 2016.  Cool.
• Blue collar grit.
• I love it when they show pictures of the real people the movie is about at the end of the film.

Things I didn’t like:

• I felt so bad for the Costco manager who was simply trying to help and Jeff’s family jumped all over him.  I understand that they were grieving and in shock, but still…a little kindness goes a long way.  The family is extremely dysfunctional and not pleasant to spend time with, but their fierce love and loyalty are inspiring.  By the way, the real Costco supervisor is an Extra in several scenes in the movie.
• So much profanity.  Seriously, can't anyone speak a single sentence without using vulgar language? 

Tips for parents: 

• A LOT of profanity and crude language, including F-bombs.
• Some nudity during a pre-marital sex scene, mostly a women’s chest.
• Some bloody, gory images of Jeff’s legs.
• Lots of people smoking and drinking.

@trinaboice