YNMS: "Stronger"
Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 9:58PM Chris here. Could this finally be Jake Gyllenhaal's Oscar year? Of course it's too early to call (and we won't jinx our adored Jake) but he's got a true life drama coming that's right in the Academy's wheelhouse: David Gordon Green's Stronger.
Gyllenhaal stars as Jeff Bauman, a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing that lost both legs and helped identify the assailants. The film charts his recovery and rehabilitation as he becomes the face of the survivors for the city of Boston and the world at large. True story, disability, big emotion - quite a few of Oscar's favorite pasttimes, and maybe a more mainstream play for Gyllenhaal. But how does the film look? Take a look at the first trailer and we'll run down the Yes No Maybe So after the jump...
YES
- Jake. Always Jake. Even Bubble Boy Jake.
- However, way to bury the Miranda Richardson lede. Even if this isn't the return to plum roles for the two-time Oscar nominee, we're always pleased to see her on the screen.
- Isn't it strange that all the raves Tatiana Maslany received for Ophan Black hasn't translated to more film work? Those who have missed her on TV should be getting what looks like strong work from her here.
- If we're going to dramatize recent tragedy, filmmakers would do best to stick to the human story. Familiar beats or no, this looks nothing like the toxicity we got last year with Patriots Day.
NO
- But there are a lot of familiar beats. Supportive girlfriend, physical therapy montages, Americana, etc.
- What's with that swing/wheelchair sight gag? Can't say physical comedy was quite what I expected here...
- The overwhelming heartwarming-factor is already stifling every bit of nuance Jake is giving here. When he's not screaming, that is.
MAYBE SO
- While director David Gordon Green doesn't always deliver a home run, it's encouraging to have someone who favors the understated with this kind of story, no? He's been an indie stalwart for going on two decades, so maybe it's time for some career acknowledgement.
- Are they hiding Bauman's assistance in the FBI investigation or omitting it? That's kind of a crucial narrative piece that we're missing here.
I'm leaning Maybe So on the film, though Gyllenhaal is an always yes. What do you think, readers?
Reader Comments (26)
Something that made me go "Really" in that trailer was advertising Maslany as a Globe Nominee and not an Emmy Winner. Just...why? Are film trailers not allowed to mention the Emmys or something?
I always wonder that, too, Volvagia.
It looks like solid mainstream "entertainment", and just right for Oscar. I'm a Lean Towards Yes.
I'm already impressed that he seems so fine with that accent, and the bits of humor in it - the thumbs up, "I'm dancin" - that all worked for me. I dunno what to think of the film or his bulging neck veins, but Gyllenhaal seems like he'll be good in this. The Serious and Heartfelt Struggle back half of the trailer worries me a little but at least he seems pretty interesting here.
Same thought as Volvagia. Excited for Maslany! Jake too of course.
This has Oscar buzz indeed. ABC Movie trailer.
I guess the bad suspictions of this film can be true after all.
I like Jake Gyllenhaal. I like Tatiana Malsany. I like David Gordon Green's earlier work and his indie stuff as I'm mixed on his mainstream work. This looks alright but it feels like an Oscar-bait film.
I never watch trailers. I do not fully read reviews of movies I intend to see.. I will scan for
Actors and directors' revirws.
I love Jake way before Brokeback Mountain. Imeish him the best reviews of his career with this movie.
A big YES😂😎
Jake's acting has been so OTT lately between Nocturnal Animals, Okja, and based on the trailer alone this film as well. Dude wants another Oscar nomination so bad lol. It's interesting how he doesn't get called out for any of these things. I guess people are still drinking the koolaid because of his Nightcrawler snub.
Also find it interesting how he's never called out for playing a Persian in that flop movie he did but Emma Stone is (rightfully) always dragged for playing an Asian/Hawaiian.
Nice to see Malsany in a big role and Jake is always very watchable but man this movie looks awful. Just terrible. An over the top dramatic tear-jerker with no subtlety is not what I want to see.
Doesn't mean oscar won't bite but if he does it'll be at the expense of better films.
Jake has been in like 15 movies since 2014. He needs to go away tbh.
tatiana's just playing one role? what a waste...
I'm more excited to see Miranda back on the big screen!
Still think she deserved the Oscar for Damage!
Miranda Richardson for the Oscar nomination!
Jake and Miranda Richardson are always YES.
But I might skip this one tho.
And of course Maslany is credited as Globe nominee. Listing her as Emmy winner has no credibility whatsoever cause this is a movie, not a tv program, same thing goes to Tonys.
This looks to be an Oscar player, so I'll probably be forced to see it, but TBH this is checking all of the boxes for a movie that I can't stand (real life story, an inspirational tale that we all know by heart). I do like Gyllenhaal almost always and Richardson's accent is awesome, so that might get me through, but I'm a "Required Yes, Otherwise Would Be No"
I'm a Jake G. fan as well. I tried to get tickets to see him on Broadway for that Sondheim musical but I was never lucky.
Not sure how to react to his new film. Maybe he should do a musical so he can display another aspect of his artistry. I thought he was trying way too hard in Nocturnal Animals (or maybe it just didn't do it for me), so I'm not sure if his skills set involves something akin to the expressive qualities of the best of silent-movie stars.
But yes, I am excited for Miranda Richardson's participation in this. She's always a delight to watch. The year she was nominated for Damage, she was also unimpechable in Enchanted April and sexy and horrifying and magnetic in The Crying Game. But that late scene in Damage with Jeremy Irons where she was mourning for her son Martyn's death was out of this world and hyperreal. It was a delicate performance that would have gone badly out of sync if that role was given to another actress of lesser intuition and discipline, but Richardson showed all the grief and sorrow in that scene so beautifully. Great catharsis for the audience. (I think I read somewhere that she and Louis Malle did not get along during the filming of Damage).
Craver: Dude. The Globe nomination was FOR THE TV SHOW. Whether they flash Maslany's credentials as Globe Nominee or Emmy Winner, they're still relying on the good press around Orphan Black. So, I'd say the reasonnable choices are either cite her as an Emmy Winner or leave her bare. They instead chose a third, substantially worse, option, because they're kind of trying to snow job the few people who don't watch TV to believe that Maslany is actually a respected film actress.
Volvagia -- OY. The good press around Orphan Black is ENTIRELY Tatiana Maslany's doing for being so brilliant. The entire show is her!
Craver & Volvagia -- this is common practice in film trailers to only reference Oscar or Globes.
Welp -- Jake *was* actually called out at the time for it but online culture wasn't yet at their peak 'be outraged about everything' place and the term "whitewashing" was less understood. So much of it's been happening lately that people are more riled up now.
Can't wait for Miranda Richardson's "I desrve the Oscar" press tour.
I believe people drank too much Jake Gyllenhaal Kool Aid. This trailer is a full parody and Gyllenhaal is becoming more thirsty of recognition as an actor lol.
this is a film I won't see. Big NO.
Shameless Oscar bait for an overdue Gyllenhaal.
Tatiana Maslany: her time.
No. I'm really confused at the lack of story here. If it's just simple recovery tale, it'll be hard for this to stand out. It have the feeling that it'll either just be a small nice feel good movie or a complete dud.
Jake seems to be channeling early Al Pacino.
Jake should do a movie musical- this does look like Oscar bait.