Review of Stronger (2017) by Late R — 31 Dec 2018

Whereas 2016's 'Patriots Day' showed us a side to the Boston marathon bombing that everybody wants to see - the heroic first responders and the subsequent investigation where the bad guys get their comeuppance - 'Stronger' presents us with the uglier side of things and shows us those directly affected by the explosions -- the more depressing, less glamourous, devastating side of events where the suffering is on full, graphic display; where individuals and their arduous struggle to find solid ground after such a horrific and traumatic experience are the focus. And show us that side it does; I'm telling you now, this is no easy watch. Gyllenhaal is front and centre with a superb performance that captures the emotional, psychological and physical difficulties so well, but the supporting cast is also outstandingly good and really delivers.

It may be difficult to watch, but by resisting the temptation to sugar-coat everything (instead of trying to turn Bauman into a super-clean, inspirational hero, they showed the reality which is, to be frank, a situation where your average guy who was just trying to live his life suddenly gets his legs blown off and is struggling with the aftermath), 'Stronger' manifests itself as a sensitively-made, realistic and, ultimately, affecting drama.