Documentary Review: "Bigger, Stronger, Faster"

The tagline of director Chris Bell's documentary on the (sub) culture of steroids is "the side effects of being American". That sweeping social indictment and much of the tone of this documentary follow Michael Moore's brand and his approach of including the narrator in the film as the curtain on media, merchandising and congressional subcommittees is pulled back. So it is no surprise, that, "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" was produced by two people behind Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11".

In contrast to Moore's films however, Chris Bell's documentary is anchored by his personal and family's stories, and he puts much at risk through this offering. Bell used steroids for a period of time when weightlifting competitively and both of his brothers continue to use steroids to this day, mainly 'Test', synthetic testosterone. The film brings the viewer up close into struggle and self-deception that his brothers undergo as they attempt to deal with their drug use. Towards the end of the film Bell reveals to his mother on camera that he had regularly juiced and in fact it was her brother that first introduced the boys to steroids. More heartbreaking are the 'doping is for cheaters' mantra that the high school football players say their coach, one of the Bell brothers, nicknamed "Stinky", had instilled in them. (Hey team, don't watch this film!)

The documentary begins with a childhood montage in which we learn that for three brothers in the late 70's and early 80's the route to success and acceptance was to become larger and stronger than their peers. Their heroes: Arnold, Hogan and Stallone- Reagan era Cold War 'Strength through Greatest Fire Power'.

All three boys came into their own through weightlifting. The oldest brother, 'Maddog' played football for University of Cincinnati and later wrestled as a foil against the stars on WWF. Early on in life the brothers quickly learned that in order to compete they needed to juice. And when they learned that their heroes, Arnold, Hogan, Stallone, and most of the WWF had been juicing themselves, their disappointment hardened into the acceptance and adoption.

The science is presented loose and brief in regards the negative effects of steroid use. We do learn that among men most negative side effects reverse after discontinuing use, but among women, effects are longer lasting or permanent. But this is a film about ethics and choice.

Bell allows the pro-steroid community to articulate its case: steroids should be regulated, negativity is conflated by media, 'roid rage is a myth, cortisone is just as bad.

Among professional athletes (no ball players, sadly) we hear Floyd Landis and Ben Johnson defend their legacies. We are reminded that Carl Lewis, who emerged as a saint in the Seoul Olympics, tested positive for over the counter amphetamines found in cold medicine.

We also learn that in the weight lifting community, to not juice is to not be competitive. When Bell asks a lifting mentor what he thought about Stinky quiting steroids, the older man coolly commented that it was only a matter of time before his brother was back on the juice.

The film teases out, of course, the question as to whether we (American society) are to blame for the widespread use of steroids in competitive sports. Is our high pressure, numbers oriented, highest possible yield culture the culprit? If all the successful athletes are juicing, are you handicapping yourself if you play 'clean'? This argument is strongest in the context major league sports where injuries and just average output quickly end young careers.

A person with little conflict over this issue is one of the featured body builders and infamous juicer, Gregg Valentino. We had the treat of meeting him at the theater after the screening. He is well known for having the biggest biceps on earth, which became the iconic image of roid madness a few years ago when the media covered his arrest over selling steroids. Valentino, still huge, and eager to answer questions, encourages steroid use among lifters when they hit the age 30. As the majority of the crowd made their way out of the theater, Valentino had the last word as a huddle of young lifters lingered to ask questions and hear stories. His tag line which he repeated often was, "drop the reps, increase the dose".


"Bigger, Stronger, Faster", directed by Chris Bell and produced by Magnolia Pictures, 2008.