Jake Gyllenhaal’s ‘Stronger’ got an emotional screening at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, on Tuesday. The movie cast and story’s creator were at the place for the special moment.
While the movie continues gathering good reviews in the film festivals, Jake Gyllenhaal and Jeff Bauman have become close friends.
A Special screening
‘Stronger’, the film chronicling the story of Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman premiered in the U.S. on Tuesday. The Film was screned at the hospital where he and others who were injured in the 2013 deadly attack were treated. Dozens of people attended the screening of the movie and cheered Bauman.
The movie is based on Bauman’s 2014 memoir of the same name. The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Bauman, who lost his legs in the attack, and ‘Orphan Black‘ actress Tatiana Maslany as Bauman’s then-girlfriend, Erin Hurley.
The movie shows Hurley running the marathon and Bauman was there to cheer her on when two bombs went off near the finish line on April 25, 2013, killing three spectators and injuring more than 260 others, including Bauman.
On Tuesday, Bauman, Hurley and their on-screen counterparts graced a red carpet at the hospital along with director David Gordon Green, producer Todd Lieberman and writer John Pollono.
The Spaulding premiere marks Bauman’s third time seeing the film, but this time he viewed it with the people who worked alongside him in his recovery, many of whom are in the film.
As they entered the building, attendees were met with cheers from a crowd of patients who gathered on the second floor, holding signs that read “Boston Strong,” ”Go Jeff” and “You give me hope.” The movie hits theaters nationwide Sept. 22.
Bauman and Gyllenhal have become great friends
Jeff and Jake became close during filming. They walked side by side down the red carpet at the hospital, where Bauman spent grueling months in intensive rehabilitation.
“No matter how hard I tried I would never really understand what Jeff has been through,” Gyllenhaal said, when asked how he approached the role. “I spent a lot of time with Jeff. There wasn’t a moment that went by when we were filming that I wasn’t thinking about (him).”
Bauman said he’s “honored” to have Gyllenhaal play him in the film. “He’s a great guy. He works hard, he’s a good role model.”
As part of the promotion of the film, Jake Gyllenhaal has reflected on his take on Jeff’s story.
“Understanding his pain was a big challenge,” Gyllenhaal said. “I’m most proud of showing what it took to walk and when someone who has gone through something like this says, ‘This is what it was like.’”
More than his portrayals of fictional characters, Gyllenhaal said he felt an immense responsibility imposed by himself and others. “I felt like a bit of a fraud, coming in. I got a lot of ‘Oh, you better do a good job.’ But I think that pressure made me work harder,” he said.
For ‘Stronger’ director, Gordon Green, Jake was a natural choice after reading the script. “I tried to create an environment where the characters would feel real and raw,” Gordon said. “Given the struggle, I had to make sure there were light-hearted moments.”
A movie about relationships
In much of the movie, Tatiana Maslany is as compelling as Gyllenhaal. Filled with guilt that Bauman would not have been injured if she hadn’t been running, Maslany gives up her job and devotes herself to helping him heal.
“She’s struggling to figure out her role in his life,” Maslany said. “It’s very relatable. The thing that is so beautiful is that you realize that everyone struggles with ‘How would I
The actress also expressed how the movie is also about the marathon incident that changed the city’s and people’s lives. “It’s really about that community, about showing how strong Boston became because of this tragedy,” Maslany says.
Bauman and Hurley, who had a daughter and got married in 2014 and separated this year, said they hope it inspires audiences to realize their strength.
“I think people would be surprised at how much they can handle,” Hurley said.
“I definitely was surprised at how much Jeff and I could handle … after this happened to us. I think that everyone can find the strength in themselves to handle tough situations.”
Source: The Globe