[Review] Stronger: Giving is Also Healing
Stronger is another film released this year about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, following Patriots Day. However, this movie's theme and tone are vastly different from the latter, and Jake Gyllenhaal's performance stands out as a major highlight!
First, thanks to Golden Scene for inviting me to an advance screening of Stronger. Seeing the film's translated title, I initially thought it would primarily tell a love story between Jake Gyllenhaal's character, Jeff Bauman, and his girlfriend, Tatiana Maslany's Erin. I was surprised to find the film encompassing far more themes. The movie is based on a true story, and after a brief introduction to the characters' personalities and backgrounds, it immediately delves into the film's pivotal event—the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. While the film mainly focuses on Jeff's life after losing both his legs, it first depicts Erin's psychological journey before narrating Jeff's trauma.
Jeff and Erin were a couple, but they had an on-again, off-again relationship. At the time of the bombing, they had been separated for a while. To show his support for Erin, Jeff waited near the marathon finish line for her to cross. As a result, Erin indirectly led to Jeff losing his legs, which caused her immense trauma and self-blame. Although Erin's body was unharmed, seeing Jeff without his legs, she undoubtedly felt responsible and blamed her own actions. Afterward, she began caring for a recovering Jeff, rekindling their relationship and becoming pregnant. No matter how irritable or self-destructive Jeff became, Erin remained by his side, continuously supporting him. Perhaps this love initially stemmed from guilt, but it gradually transformed into a sweet, mutually sustaining affection.
On the other hand, Jeff, having lost both legs, also recovered from physical changes and psychological trauma. From the outset, the film establishes Jeff's optimistic personality. After his injury, Jeff was initially still very humorous, joking with friends and his girlfriend, making light of losing his legs, and even helping the police identify the bomber. However, Jeff's PTSD gradually set in later, primarily due to the pressure from his parents and family, who seemed to exploit him, leveraging his new identity for fame and money. Before his injury, his family never seemed to care about him or be proud of him; after losing his legs, he suddenly received so much attention from everyone around him, leaving him overwhelmed. Simultaneously, external scrutiny placed immense pressure on him. He always saw himself as disabled, but the residents of Boston viewed him as a hero, leading to a sense of alienation. Furthermore, Jeff grew up in a single-parent household, his mother was an alcoholic, and he himself had lost his legs. Therefore, upon learning he was to become a father, he was at a loss for how to react, worried he would impact his child's life. Ultimately, all this pressure finally caused Jeff to break down, unleashing his anger on the ever-loving Erin, leading to her departure.
After losing Erin again, Jeff re-encountered Carlos, who had provided him with emergency aid and saved his life after the bombing. Carlos shared his own past misfortunes with Jeff and expressed gratitude that Jeff had helped him heal. After suffering injuries, we often receive various forms of treatment, relying on others to help us recover. But Carlos told Jeff that by helping him, and seeing Jeff's recovery and resilient spirit, his own fractured soul also gradually began to heal. Sometimes, offering help to others and witnessing their progress can also be a form of healing for oneself. Afterward, Jeff faced the public again, no longer feeling pressured, nor feeling exploited. As he shook hands and hugged others, healing their pain, he was simultaneously healing his own soul, allowing himself to recover. Therefore, Jeff's life became stronger not only because of Erin but also because of "them." "They" included not only those who helped Jeff but also those he helped. In life, we may have helped various people; when you see others' satisfaction and joy, do you also feel a sense of healing yourself?
Beyond the script, the film's greatest appeal undoubtedly lies in the performances of its two leads. Jake Gyllenhaal has been increasingly impressive in recent years, and his performance in Stronger is filled with layers and deeply moving. Portraying a person who has lost both legs and has limited mobility is challenging in itself, but his depiction of the character's psychological changes is even more poignant. In one particular conversation with Erin in the car, his breakdown is truly heartbreaking, making one feel his pain and self-doubt. I even shed tears. Furthermore, he brilliantly portrays the difference in Jeff's demeanor across two baseball games: from the anxiety of facing public pressure and exploitation in the first game, to the satisfaction and empathy of accepting public support alongside Carlos and trying to help others later on. Jake Gyllenhaal's eyes alone fully reveal the character's nuanced psychological changes. On the other hand, Tatiana Maslany's performance is equally indispensable; she powerfully conveys Erin's helplessness while trying to appear strong in the face of Jeff's injury and the scrutiny of his family. Her subsequent portrayal of disappointment and disillusionment with Jeff is also perfectly nuanced.
As mentioned earlier, when the film first depicts the moment of the bombing, it's from Erin's perspective, so we initially don't see Jeff's injuries. Later in the film, when Jeff meets Carlos and recalls his experience at the scene, we then see his horrific, bloody injuries. Such a visceral scene, combined with the chaotic on-site conditions, effectively allows the audience to feel the character's trauma. Simultaneously, in depicting Jeff's first public appearance at a baseball game, the film rapidly cuts between the glances, expressions, and camera flashes of different spectators, showcasing the immense pressure they place on Jeff, ultimately leading to his later breakdown. These shots, coupled with the cold, stark lighting of the scene, effectively immerse the audience into Jeff's perspective, making them feel his profound unease and pressure.
Stronger is not only a moving love story but also a film with profoundly meaningful themes about trauma and recovery. I believe it will encourage everyone to face life with resilience and to be brave enough to help others, thereby healing themselves.