Review of Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) by David A — 22 Dec 2008

Those expecting a regurgitation of all the media sensationalism surrounding steroids will find their expectations defied. Bell does a great job of taking an in-depth look at steroid use in America. Taking many of his cues from Michael Moore, Bell places himself at the center of the documentary and makes a national medical, moral and political issue a personal one.

However, Bell seems to lack a working thesis for his opposition to steroids. He quite clearly disproves most medical concerns as, at this point, overblown and unfounded. Yet, he persists in opposing steroids for some murky moral concern which doesn't quite make it through to the end of the film.

One point that does make it through, though, is that America has defined itself as a hyper-competitive image-based society. That culture has produced shallow people who pin their hopes on achieving empty goals and instead reap many crushed dreams.

This is not exactly a revelation, but it is surprising coming from a guy shown voting Republican. Bell would have done better to place a greater focus on the medical side of the issue, but this documentary is quite well done.

I'm just not sure if Bell will make another decent one after this.