Review of Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) by Gabe L — 25 Nov 2008

Though somewhat repetitive and clunky, Chris Bellâ??s Bigger Stronger Faster deserves credit for presenting a fairly evenhanded examination of steroids & their threat to the integrity of the countryâ??s sports industry, as well as what sort of danger they pose from a medical perspective. Most pictures (and books, and magazine articles, and TV specialsâ?¦) on performance-enhancing drugs tend to dumb down the issue enormously, presumably to help discourage athletes, both professional and aspiring alike, from seeking out Steroids or Human Growth Hormone (HGH). But lost in these softball analyses from a myriad of pundits is any perspective on where Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) usage ranks among risks to the body (hint: itâ??s nowhere near as high on the list as youâ??d think). At the risk of being labeled â??Pro-Steroids,â?? Bigger Stronger Faster presents both sides of the story, illustrating the numerous reasons to pass on PEDâ??s (acne, hair growth in unwelcome places, dramatic lowering of the sperm count, etc) while adding notes of caution about viewing them as comparable to, say, cocaine (many of the side effects of Steroids are temporary; even Ritalin can be more damaging longtermâ?¦). It would be a mistake to label this documentary as pro-anything; rather, itâ??s more interested in showing that for all of PEDâ??s problems, thereâ??s a certain fascination with themâ??most likely due to the involvement of the always-sexy sports arenaâ??thatâ??s not warranted by their actual danger to oneâ??s health. With all the pressing matters facing our country, is Congressional intervention on this matter really necessary?

As for PEDâ??s impact on the honor in sports, Bigger Stronger Faster doesnâ??t pull many punches there, presenting several reporter-athlete interactions that show the awkwardness cheaters feel in their gut (one such interview with Carl Lewis is particularly uncomfortable to watch). Unfortunately, what could have been an excellent film is hindered by thoroughly uninteresting protagonists, two Steroid-abusing brothers who alternate between complete comfort and uncertainty in their drug usage. The filmâ??s overarching messageâ??America is a win-at-all-costs sort of country, and if you donâ??t bend the rule, you fall behindâ??certainly has plenty of resonance, and could have been tied much more efficiently to current events and concrete examples. Trotting out tired retreads like Rocky isnâ??t particularly illuminating. Rather, Bigger Stronger Faster would have been well-served by spending more time on sequences like the idolization of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone being built on lies (their physiques were the result of hours in the gym and protein shakesâ?¦riiight). Those moments serve as a portal into imperfections and the deepest problems that PEDâ??s can cause. Sadly, there just arenâ??t enough of them, and too much time is spent tracking Mark & Mike Bellâ??s mundane activities & conversations. Still, itâ??s easy to recommend Bigger Stronger Faster; imperfect as it may be, it also serves as a balanced commentary on a topic that desperately needs one.