Stronger (R) ★★★★

Stronger is the true story of Jeff Bauman, who lost both his legs during the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. The film is based on his memoir of the same name. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Bauman and Tatiana Maslany plays his girlfriend and future wife.

We see Jeff as he struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and the challenging physical effects he faces in learning to adjust to his new life.

Miranda Richardson plays Bauman’s caring yet over-bearing mom.

The Bottom Line? Talk about a winner! Jake Gyllenhaal’s gritty, multifaceted Oscar worthy performance gives us a realistic and profound sense of what it means to be a true hero.

You’ll be surprised by other circumstances that surround Bauman, namely a new baby and the story of the man that saved him.

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal as Jeff Bauman, Tatiana Maslany as Erin Hurley, Clancy Brown as Jeff Bauman Sr., Miranda Richardson as Patty Bauman, Frankie Shaw as Gail Hurley, Danny McCarthy as Kevin Horst, Carlos Sanz as Carlos Arredondo, Karen Scalia as Lori Hurley, Jimmy LeBlanc as Larry

Credits: Director David Gordon Green, Writer (based on the book “Stronger” by) Bret Witter, Jeff Bauman, Writer John Pollono, Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt

Studio: Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions Films

Run Time: 2 hours