REVIEW- STONGER

Movie Review: Stronger  *** 1/2 ( out of ****)

Last night i saw the new movie called "Stronger". starring Jake Gyllenhaal. I want you to see the film, so I won't give away plot or specific details, but I will touch on highlights.

Briefly, the movie is about Jeff Baunam, one of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing a few years ago. He happened to be standing next to the bomb, saw the bomber, and lost both of his legs below the knee from the explosion.

The story is about Jeff's life beyond the blast- his long rehab;  adjusting to life as a suddenly and newly disabled person; and his happy and sad times with a loving but overbearing family and confused, caring girlfriend.

* There are many funny moments in the movie, including a scene of Jeff driving a car, with his brother working the gas pedal and brakes.

* Other than the obvious of learning to walk with prosthetic limbs and dealing with a changing lifestyle, the film touches on the little but important aspects to his life- things like the inaccessibility of his apartment ( the doorways are too narrow for his wheelchair to fit through; a flight of stairs to navigate with the wheelchair; his bathroom, especially his tub, being confining. The struggle is tough enough without the environment  leading to the challenge. I was a little surprised that , while Jeff was in the hospital, modifications weren't made to his apartment.

* The girlfriends' situation is interesting. She feels guilty regarding the bombing, yet, after repeatedly breaking up with Jeff in the past, she feels almost obligated to become his caretaker. Is she more girlfriend or nurse?

* Jeff's family is colorful and animated, maybe too much so, but they are supportive, loving and entertaining. Stringer is not a family film or a movie kids should see, mostly because of the strong language.

* Interesting that the media want to interview Jeff ( as does the FBI, since Jeff saw the bomber), but with each interview, Jeff is forced to recall and relive the tragic events that fateful day. Jeff also has a dilemma about being a "hero". Is he a hero just because he was unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? So many people cheer him at Boston sports events- how does Jeff handle it?

* I could relate to a lot of things in the movie. The daily pain, the challenge of just getting up every day, knowing what is ahead, the daily, rigorous routine of dressing, transporting and getting through life.

The limited use of music is good. The acting separates the story from sinking into a melodrama-like TV movie inspirational film. There are many intense scenes of frustration and tears. The scene where Jeff crawls through hi parking lot to his front door is painful to watch- but you watch because it's powerful stuff.

There are scenes that are hazy and out of focus. The first time Jeff has his bandages changed in the hospital after the amputations, he is afraid to look and so are we, so his legs are kept in the distance, fuzzy yet apparent. The pace of the film never really drags. The dialogue is often short and realistic, not preachy and syrupy.

Jake Gyllenhaal should at least be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Actors portraying people with disabilities often win Oscars ( John Hurt in The Elephant Man and Daniel Day-Lewis in My Left Foot), so I wouldn't be surprised if Jake wins some awards.

Hopefully the film is seen. It's getting much-deserved positive reviews ( 89% on Rotten Tomatoes). Summer is over and the adult movies are coming out for the fall. Hopefully word of mouth will draw more movie-goers from slick action like The Kingsmen or comic book, superhero crap.

I can't say enough about Stronger. The performances are terrific and the movie itself is emotionally strong. Is it manipulative at times? Sure. But even the ending is emotional yet not maudlin. It strikes of hope, which makes me smile as I think about Stronger.