If you've never heard of the movie, take the time to get up to speed by watching the trailer.
The movie focuses on Chris Bell, a guy who has some solid biceps, but isn't by any means sporting the physique you might see inside any number of body building magazines. Chris is searching for the answers to a few questions.
- Should it make you sad to know that your heroes are cheaters?
- Why do his two brothers have no trouble using steroids, while he sees them as an immoral means to an end?
- Does America really approach steroids in the right way?
- Can you really blame athletes for using steroids, when their jobs depend on it?
The stories of Chris' two brothers more similarities than differences, but the two come off in very different ways. His older brother Mike failed in his attempt to become a college football star. He failed in his attempt to make it as a professional wrestler. And he failed at making a living as a body builder. He spends most of the documentary talking about how much he doesn't want to be average, but when you're a CPA in Poughkeepsie, NY you're just an average Joe - no matter how good your body looks. It's hard not to feel sympathy for Mike. He is sure he is destined for great things, and he'll do anything to make his dreams come true. That's why he moves to California in his 40s to make another run at becoming a star in the WWE. When Mike tells Chris that he hears his wife crying herself to sleep at night, you can't help but think Mike is so far gone, he may never be able to see the forest for the trees.
Chris' younger brother Mark is just an idiot. The guy comes off like a real piece of garbage, which is odd, because unlike Mike, Mark has a firm grasp on the reality of his situation. He is married with a kid. He owns his own gym and is an assistant high school football coach. He doesn't apologize for using steroids. In fact, he thinks people that don't use them are fools. But Mark is a fraud. He won't tell his parents that he uses. He flat out lies to his players. And his wife openly talks about what she has had to give up as a result of Mark's juicing.
Chris Bell presents both sides of the steroid argument in a very compelling way. Why is it okay for musicians and comedians to use beta blockers to relieve anxiety and students to use aderol to focus on their school work, but we freak out when the Tour De France champ is accused of blood doping? And Chris doesn't just find talking heads to interview. The movie features Chris' chats with Floyd Landis, Carl Lewis, Greg Valentino, and Ben Johnson to name a few. There are as many scenes that will shock you (Congressman Henry Waxler doesn't know what the laws on steroids are even though he is leading the charge against Major League Baseball) as there are scenes that will make you think (a number of doctors that refuse to say steroids can literally kill you) as there are scenes that will leave you in stitches (illegal immigrants being used to make "all natural" supplements).
The movie really made me think about my feelings on steroids. Do I still consider athletes that use steroids cheaters? Hell yes. Do I think steroid use should be against the law? Now, I don't really know how to answer that question.
Bigger Faster Stronger is one of those independent films that should really rise to the top in a summer flooded with awful movies. I am not saying it will. I am only saying that it should. If you (like me and so many other kids) grew up idolizing Hulk Hogan, were enthralled by the 1998 home run chase, or are a fan of any Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone movies you've got to see this movie! Even if you aren't it's still worth your money. Besides, it's an independent movie, so if you see it at the right theatre you can get a ticket for less than seven bucks.
The Greek gives it an A.
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