Review of Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) by Quietgiant — 28 Sep 2016

This could have easily been a much simpler, dryer film. Instead of being a bland recital of the same information you can get a thousand other places or propaganda pushing either the pros or cons of steroids, BSF relates the issue to American culture itself, illuminating the contradictions between the exaltation we give our greatest performers and the ridicule for the measures it takes to be such in the modern world. Its comparisons to legal performance enhancing drugs, more dangerous nonenhancing legal drugs, the supplement industry as a whole, and 'reefer madness' fearmongering can be both enlightening and desensationalizing. This is not an endorsement of steroid use but an analysis of its motivations and critique of those on both sides of the fence that happens to demystify many popular (often negative) assumptions.

All of that wouldn't amount to as much if it wasn't just so damn entertaining to boot. Right from the start it hooks you with its charismatic narration and choice footage and then keeps drawing you in with insightful interviews and the personal tale of the film's central family. It's one of the best documentaries I've seen; the kind where you wonder how you hadn't watched it sooner. Just try to leave prior bias at the door.