STRONGER

US, 2017, 119 minutes, Colour.
Jake Gylenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson, Richard Lane Jr, Clancy Brown, Kate Fitzgerald.
Directed by David Gordon Green.

At the centre of Stronger is Boston man, Jeff Baumann. He is an ordinary, working class man, in a relationship with a young woman, Erin, who is running in the Boston Marathon. His father is absent, his mother has drinking problems, he has his group of friends.

On the day of the marathon, the day of the bombings, Patriots Day (filmed as an action feature with Mark Wahlberg), he wants to be supportive, doing some fundraising for Erin, going to the finishing line and finding himself a victim of the bombings.

The main action is focused on his injuries, time in hospital, the reaction of his mother, Erin, friends and family. There is his facing of the reality of his situation, his physical limitations, possibilities for rehabilitation and recovery.

Jake Gylenhaal is always a strong performer, entering into his character, this time the experience of shock, disillusionment, discouragement. Tatiana Maslany is Erin and there is a strong performance by British actress, Miranda Richardson, as Jeff’s mother.

The film was directed by David Gordon Green whose CV is a mixture of serious films like this one as well as broad American comedies, Pineapple Express, Your Highness. He also directed the remake of Halloween, 40 years after the release of the original.

Despite the setting and human issues, the film was not popular at the box office.

1. The title, Boston, Boston Strong, Stronger? Ordinary people, crisis situations, becoming stronger?

2. Patriots Day, 2015? The tradition of the Boston Marathon? Training, running? Terrorists, the bombs, the injuries – and the film showing the details of the horror later? Boston city, ordinary people, working class? Homes, bars, diners? Hospitals? Therapy and recovery? Fenway Park? The atmosphere? The score?

3. The introduction to Jeff, is job, ordinary, unreliable, yet liked? The bond with Erin, meeting her again with her friend? The history of breakups? Her raising money for the marathon, Jeff advertising it, raising the cash? Promising to be at the finishing line?

4. Jeff, his mother, her drinking problems. Aunt Kate and the friends, the absent father? Jeff and his own friendly group, their banter together? Drinking, interest in baseball, the Red Sox, the mateship?

5. Erin running, the bombs exploding, the news about., in the hospital, with his mother, his father arriving, all the friends and relatives? His losing his legs? Conscious and unconscious? Information for the FBI about seeing the bomber? The effect on Jeff, surviving, having to accept his situation, the treatment? The care of the doctors and nurses, real doctors and nurses playing these roles? The long taking off of the bandage and gauze? The possibility of artificial legs? The need for exercise and balance?

6. The effect on Jeff, acceptance and not, his being carried, his chair, in the cars, showering, going to the toilet, his falls, being dependent? His mother’s care? Erin, giving up everything to look after him? His drinking, the gradual resentments? His reaction to Erin? The issue of pregnancy? The rednecks in the diner and the Obama conspiracy about the bombing? His unwillingness to meet Carlos who saved him?

7. Erin, strong character, her friend, giving up everything, her care for Jeff, love for him, her presence, the practical aspects, the sexual encounter, her pregnancy? Yet his treatment of her, her commenting that he was like a boy, not grown-up, dependent on his mother? Telling him about the pregnancy, his reaction, unwilling to be a father? Her leaving? His crawling to the door? A moment of truth for him?

8. His mother, age, character, having custody of her son, her drinking? Her husband and interactions with him? Her presence in the house, against Erin? Their interactions? The importance of the announcement of the Opera Winfrey coming? Jeff’s reaction, not wanting it? His becoming a celebrity? Unwilling? The photos?

9. The episode of the drink-driving, his friend on the brakes and accelerator? The policeman with the guns? Wanting a photo?

10. Jeff’s reaction to Erin’s behaviour, the decision to go for the legs, the exercise and balance? The invitation to Fenway Park? Pitching the ball, the crowds cheering? Television?

11. Carlos’s story, meeting with Jeff, in the diner, his being modest in the photo, explaining how he saw Jeff, the story of his two dead sons?

12. The baseball match, Carlos wheeling out Jeff, his mother and the crowd, Erin jogging, seeing it all on TV? Crowd, cheering, Larry and his congratulations and his own story? The girl doing the assignment? The other admirers?

13. Reconciling with Erin, the information about the marriage, child, future?

14. An ordinary man, fate and circumstances, making him stronger?