ACTOR FORMS ‘STRONGER’ BONDS
Jake Gyllenhaal visits a VA center to share stories, research for his role and unwind with veterans
It’s hardly an everyday occurrence to have an Oscar-nominated actor pop in for a visit at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center here.
But there was Jake Gyllenhaal on Wednesday, greeting patients as part of his publicity tour for “Stronger,” in which he plays Jeff Bauman, who lost his legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
No, the film, which opens Sept. 22, does
not have a military angle. Bauman worked at a Costco deli counter at the time of the bombing. But Gyllenaal says he has an affinity for servicemen and women — he learned a lot from researching military character roles for such films as “Jarhead” and “Source Code” and his grandfather served in the military.
And the actor’s visit was certainly appreciated, says Navy Ensign Jordan Lo, who along with three other patients — Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Stuart DiPaolo, Navy veteran Juan Martinez and Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Richard Nazario — and family and staff hung out Wednesday with the affable actor, posing for photos, sharing stories of perseverance, and even joking around.
“I think it’s great to see someone like (Gyllenhaal) show veterans that he cares,” said the 25-yearold Lo. And there are definite parallels between Lo’s case and Bauman’s story depicted in “Stronger.” Both were left to overcoming great odds to recover from severe injuries that came swiftly out of the blue. Bauman was at the marathon to cheer on his girlfriend, Lo was walking along a roadside with several servicemen when he was struck by a suspected drunken driver and suffered brain trauma.
Gyllenhaal, 36, is earning rave reviews and early Oscar buzz for what’s described as a gritty portrayal of a man combating a host of physical and mental issues. Bauman became an instant celebrity when a photo of him getting aid at the scene became one of the tragedy’s defining images. His recovery became a source of strength and pride, particularly in Boston. It was a role he was not ready for and didn’t want, says Gyllenhaal.
“Jeff always says he was just standing there,” says Gyllenhaal. “He always calls it a sucker punch.” Bauman has credited Carlos Arredondo — the stranger wearing a cowboy hat who came to Bauman’s rescue, and a man who had lost two of his sons, one to combat in the Iraq War, the other to suicide — with helping regain his emotional bearings.
“As soon as he met Carlos, it kind of woke him up.” Gyllenhaal says. “Their friendship is extraordinary.”
Gyllenhaal and Bauman have become good friends as well. Bauman has joined Gyllenhaal at several publicity stops. There’s an easygoing camaraderie between the duo. Just check out the video of Bauman interviewing Gyllenhaal, in which he gets the actor to at long last answer a question about his ex- girlfriend Taylor Swift.
To prepare for “Stronger,” Gyllenhaal says he spent a lot of time with Bauman and his family, friends and health care workers (many of whom are in the film). He listened to tapes of Bauman’s voice and watched footage of Bauman before he attempted to use prosthetic legs.
Gyllenhaal says his proudest onscreen moment comes when Bauman walks.
“I studied Jeff for over a year and a half of walking and being with him and being a shoulder he could lean on if he needed to go up a step or go down a ramp. I am so proud that he feels like that’s how it looks and that’s how it is.”
That scene drives home the film’s point, he says.
“We always say this is a movie about a guy who learns to take a few steps.” And that’s what he hopes viewers take away from the film.
“Everybody has a story — about pain … suffering … someone they love who is suffering through something,” he said. “I think Jeff seems to say since he’s still here doing so incredibly well that it’s possible to get through those times when you feel like you won’t be able to take another step or want to live another moment — that you can and you should. And it will be better.”