Stronger (2017)

"There are few actors in their 30s more well-rounded than [Jake] Gyllenhaal right now, as capable of taking on disturbing psychologies in aggressive indies as they are the lead roles in crowd-pleasing tearjerkers."

"Green looks for small but meaningful ways to complicate and deepen the well-trod story he's telling, and by the end, those complications help the film earn its uplift."

"This isn't the positive movie many will want, but it's something better: a window into post-traumatic stress and exploded identity."

""Stronger" takes more artistic risks than any other American-made "inspired by true events" picture I can recall."

"Stronger is a film filled with warmth and humanity, but one that doesn’t sugarcoat the reality that comes with it."

"It's a movie that's allergic to saccharine manipulation or easy sentimentality."

"The movie is a straightforward, even familiar, tale of survival and recovery, but its grave respect for the unique extremity of its protagonist's ordeal cancels out any impulse toward exploitation."

"Solid, straightforward and touching."

"A deeply human and often brutally honest depiction of trauma and recovery, anchored by three superb performances — though it often falls victim to formula."

"That Stronger, as unpleasant as it is, doesn't shy away from the complicated side of recovery is admirable to say the least."