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Bigger, Stronger, Faster

6 Ratings: 1.2

A documentary film about steroid use

Bigger, Stronger, Faster is a 2008 documentary film directed by Christopher Bell about the use of anabolic steroids as performance-enhancing drugs in the United States and how this practice relates to the American Dream. The film had its world premiere … see full wiki

Tags: Movies, Sports, Documentary, Steroids

Cast: Ben Johnson, Christian Boeving, Carl Lewis, Mark "Smelly" Bell, Mike "Mad Dog" Bell, Rosemary Bell, see all

Genre: Documentary

Release Date: May 30, 2008

MPAA Rating: PG-13

1 review about Bigger, Stronger, Faster

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Steroids: Love 'em or Leave 'em?

Apr 18, 2009

by HealthyRache

Rating:

I love documentaries. Probably more than your average 20-something, but I really do! This film was especially interesting because it addressed the much debated topic of steroid use in professional sports. As an athlete, I've always had an interest in this topic. My former trainer was a body builder during what he called "The Golden Era" of bodybuilding (i.e. before the steroid explosion) and he often talked to me about how sad it was that these drugs had taken over what he considered a very natural and admirable sport. Before steroids, he explained, bodybuilding was about taking care of the body by eating a healthy diet and putting in plenty of time at the gym to sculpt and build the body into something beautiful. This perspective really affected the way I felt about steroid use and the way the filmmakers chose to portray it in this film.

The film definitely does not expose steroids as a terrible and tragic end to the sport of bodybuilding as I had expected it might. Writer and director Christopher Bell was inspired to make the film because his two brothers regularly used steroids. They each spoke openly about it in the film and were more or less convinced that the public uproar over the health risks of steroids had been over exaggerated. Bell went on to expose the other ways athletes "cheat" in their sports with the intention of exposing that when it comes down to it, steroids are not as bad as we may think. Bell definitely only explored one side of the issue and I think he could have done a bit more research into the long term affects of steroid use. Interestingly enough, just months after the film's release, Bell's older brother Mike, a long time steroid user and professional wrestler, was found dead in a rehab facility.

In the same way that our country has become obsessed with foods that are bigger and more easy to come by, athletes at both amateur and professional levels have turned to the easiest most efficient ways to become bigger, stronger and faster. According to Bell, that's just how it is. Perhaps he's right. Does that mean it is alright to condone the use of steroids for the sake of better records and bigger biceps? Absolutely not. While I disagree with Bell's overwhelming positive portrayal of steroid use, I still think this film is worth watching. As with any documentary, be cautious of how fact and opinion can be easily confused. While we're on the subject, if you'd like the facts about this film, check out the Wiki for more info. Whether you're for or against the use of steroids, this film is definitely worth watching!

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cdbaker June 14, 2009

Nice review. Looks like a very interesting documentary.

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linkingal May 02, 2009

I've never seen this documentary before but either way, I think the steroid whores are too damn ugly. They either fail Science, fail Home Economics and fail MAth, or, they love spending money on stuff that will kill them. When they train 'till V-shaped, I wonder, where the hell is the centre of gravity?!

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Nicole April 20, 2009

I've seen this documentary! Wow... his brother died so soon after- crazy. I really liked this documentary- it was very interesting to watch. It seems that now that steroids have been introduced, it makes it seem that there is no other way to compete other than to start taking steroids despite that they are not good for you :(

HealthyRache April 20, 2009

I know isn't that crazy about his brother? It didn't say if he was in rehab for steroids specifically, but regardless I thought that was pretty interesting. Steroids killed the sport of bodybuilding -- sad, but true!

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