Jake Gyllenhaal Marathon Bombing Movie Premiering At Spaulding Rehab
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — The U.S. premiere of a film chronicling the story of Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman has taken place at the hospital where he and others who were injured in the 2013 deadly attack were treated.
Bauman's journey to heal symbolized the city of Boston's healing process. He helped Boston Police identify one of the bombers and became an embodiment of "Boston Strong."
Dozens of people attended the screening of "Stronger" on Tuesday night at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. The movie arrives in theaters Sept. 22.
The movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Bauman and "Orphan Black" actress Tatiana Maslany as Bauman's then-girlfriend, Erin Hurley. Bauman, Hurley and their on-screen counterparts walked a red carpet at the hospital, with Gyllenhaal and Bauman side by side.
Hurley was running the marathon and Bauman was there to cheer her on when two bombs went off near the finish line. He lost his legs.
The actors, along with Bauman, sat down for an interview with WBZ-TV.
Gyllenhaal explained, "From the moment I met Jeff, I was intimidated, I was nervous. I was nervous to try and tell his story as honestly as I could."
"I didn't really know it when I read the script and I really loved the character, that I would love the guy as much, a lot more actually," he said.
Bauman said that looking back on some parts was hard, but he was again overwhelmed by the support.
"I look back and I am very overwhelmed by the support and I look back and I'm like 'wow, that was really amazing,' that is stuff I will carry for the rest of my life."
Maslany also commented, "Erin's life is completely changed forever because of it, regardless of whether she was there or not she's forever connected to Jeff in this way that is so deep."
The movie is based on Bauman's memoir of the same name.
Many of the people who treated Bauman play themselves in the movie.
Gyllenhaal said, "You can go from what seems like the darkest place, a place you can't get out of into real joy, and love, and into the light and [Bauman] is a representation of that."
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
