Stronger
Jeff Bauman is a well-intention-ed but underachieving Boston native who works at the deli counter of a Costco and lives in a small two-bedroom apartment with his alcoholic mother, Patty. One day at the local bar, Jeff runs into his ex-girlfriend Erin, who is attracted to his kindness and charm but finds herself constantly frustrated by his lack of commitment. After learning that Erin is running in the Boston Marathon to raise money for the hospital she works at, Jeff asks every patron in the bar to donate and then promises Erin he'll wait at the finish line for her with a big sign. The day of the Marathon, Jeff scrambles to make it to the finish line on time but reaches it just before Erin reaches the finish line. As she approaches a bomb goes off right where Jeff is standing. After being rushed to a hospital, both of Jeff's legs are amputated above the knee. When he regains consciousness, Jeff tells his brother that he saw the bomber before the explosion. Patty calls the FBI, and Jeff is able to give them a description of Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Local authorities capture Dzhokhar Tsarnaev days later, and Jeff is hailed as a hero.
The film box office disappointment against its mid-range budget of $30.0M, earning $8.5M globally (-72% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the biography genre.
2 wins & 8 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Stronger (2017) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of David Gordon Green's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jeff Bauman works at Costco, lives a regular working-class Boston life. He's likable but directionless, stuck in patterns, still pining for his ex-girlfriend Erin.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The Boston Marathon bombing. Jeff is at the finish line holding a sign for Erin when the bomb explodes. His legs are destroyed.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Jeff chooses to attempt rehabilitation, to learn to live without legs. This isn't triumphant—it's terrifying and painful. He commits to the grueling process ahead., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: Jeff appears at Bruins game, drops ceremonial puck, receives massive ovation. He seems to be embracing the hero role, but it's hollow—he's performing, not healing., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Erin leaves Jeff after he drunkenly lashes out. He hits rock bottom, alone in his dysfunction. The "death" is the loss of the one authentic relationship in his life, his last anchor to genuine connection., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Jeff has honest conversation with family/himself, acknowledging he's not a hero—he just survived. This acceptance allows real healing. He chooses to live for himself, not as a symbol., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Stronger's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Stronger against these established plot points, we can identify how David Gordon Green utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Stronger within the biography genre.
David Gordon Green's Structural Approach
Among the 8 David Gordon Green films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Stronger represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Gordon Green filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown. For more David Gordon Green analyses, see Pineapple Express, Halloween Kills and Our Brand Is Crisis.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jeff Bauman works at Costco, lives a regular working-class Boston life. He's likable but directionless, stuck in patterns, still pining for his ex-girlfriend Erin.
Theme
Jeff's mother or friend remarks about "showing up" or being there for people. The theme: what does it mean to truly be strong? Is it physical heroism or emotional presence?
Worldbuilding
Jeff wins back Erin, promises to support her at the Boston Marathon finish line. We see his chaotic family, his drinking buddies, his lack of direction. He's a people-pleaser who doesn't follow through.
Disruption
The Boston Marathon bombing. Jeff is at the finish line holding a sign for Erin when the bomb explodes. His legs are destroyed.
Resistance
Jeff wakes in the hospital, both legs amputated. He helps FBI identify the bomber from memory. Family chaos, media attention, being called a hero. Jeff resists the "hero" label and the new reality.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jeff chooses to attempt rehabilitation, to learn to live without legs. This isn't triumphant—it's terrifying and painful. He commits to the grueling process ahead.
Mirror World
Erin becomes Jeff's primary caregiver and emotional anchor. Their relationship deepens as she sees his vulnerability. She represents genuine connection versus public performance.
Premise
Jeff's rehabilitation journey. Learning to use prosthetics, physical therapy. Public appearances as "Boston Strong" symbol. The tension between private pain and public heroism builds.
Midpoint
False victory: Jeff appears at Bruins game, drops ceremonial puck, receives massive ovation. He seems to be embracing the hero role, but it's hollow—he's performing, not healing.
Opposition
Jeff spirals into alcoholism and depression. Pushes Erin away. His family enables his dysfunction. The hero facade crumbles. He can't handle being a symbol when he feels broken inside.
Collapse
Erin leaves Jeff after he drunkenly lashes out. He hits rock bottom, alone in his dysfunction. The "death" is the loss of the one authentic relationship in his life, his last anchor to genuine connection.
Crisis
Jeff confronts his emptiness. Realizes he's been letting everyone else define him—as hero, as victim, as symbol. Dark night of processing what strength actually means.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jeff has honest conversation with family/himself, acknowledging he's not a hero—he just survived. This acceptance allows real healing. He chooses to live for himself, not as a symbol.
Synthesis
Jeff takes control of his recovery authentically. Reconciles with Erin from a place of wholeness, not need. Makes peace with his survivor status without letting it define him.
Transformation
Jeff at peace, walking on prosthetics with Erin. Not performing heroism, just living. Shows he's found real strength—not in surviving the bombing, but in choosing to truly live afterward.