Jake Gyllenhaal’s latest role is the portrayal of Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Jeff Bauman, in the Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions adaptation of Bauman’s memoir, Stronger.
Stronger, directed by David Gordon Green, sees Gyllenhaal in a heart-wrenching portrayal of Bauman’s suffering. A victim of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, 27-year-old Jeff Bauman was waiting for his then-girlfriend Erin Hurley (played by Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black) at the finish line and lost both legs at the knee as a result of the blasts.
Bauman reportedly assisted the authorities in identifying one of the terrorists that orchestrated the attack that killed three people and injured many more. His memoir, Stronger was published in 2014 and was adapted for the big screen by Boston local, John Pollono.
Stronger is scheduled for international release in September, coincidentally ahead of awards season. If the official trailer is anything to go by, Gyllenhaal will produce a heart-breaking performance and consequently intensify empathy for not only Jeff Bauman, but the myriad of terror victims around the world. Regardless of its potential acclaim, the film will undoubtedly be an emotional rollercoaster and an important reminder for humanity to stand united against acts of terror.
Stronger is scheduled for release on 22nd September, 2017.
