Stronger (film)
Stronger | |
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Directed by | David Gordon Green |
Screenplay by | John Pollono |
Based on | Stronger by Jeff Bauman Bret Witter |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt |
Edited by | Dylan Tichenor |
Music by | Michael Brook |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 119 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $30 million[2] |
Box office | $8.5 million[3] |
Stronger is a 2017 American
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
Patty books Jeff an interview with
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
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
- Jake Gyllenhaal as Jeff Bauman, Jeff Sr. and Patty's son and Erin's boyfriend.
- Tatiana Maslany as Erin Hurley, Jeff's girlfriend and Gail's sister.
- Miranda Richardson as Patty Bauman, Jeff's mother and Jeff Sr.'s wife.
- Clancy Brown as Jeff Bauman Sr., Jeff's father and Patty's husband.
- Carlos Sanz as Carlos Arredondo
- Frankie Shaw as Gail Hurley, Erin's sister.
- Danny McCarthy as Kevin
- Lenny Clarke as Uncle Bob
- Richard Lane Jr. as Sully
- Jimmy LeBlanc as Larry
- Jessica Lundy as FBI Agent Sarah
- Patty O'Neil as Aunt Jenn
- Cassandra Cato-Louis as Maya
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 90% 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
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref. |
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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] |
References
- ^ "Stronger". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2017-08-23. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- Penske Business Media. September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ a b "Stronger (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- ^ Giles, Jeff (September 28, 2017). "American Made is Certified Fresh". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
- ^ "'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.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
- ^ "Stronger (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- Penske Business Media. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "2017 Winners". Satellite Awards. International Press Academy. November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
External links
- Official website
- Stronger at IMDb