Bigger Stronger Faster* - 2008

New Zealand International Film Festival


Bigger Stronger Faster* - 2008


One line review: A very funny, honest, heartfelt look at the hypocrisies of steroid use and the American mantra of win at all costs. Highly recommended.


Is it possible to make a populist and entertaining documentary with 'Supersize Me' antics, 'Bowling For Columbine' celebrity spokesman stalking, heartfelt family revelations, yet have authoritative insight into a controversial subject, provide a platform for those long vilified in popular culture AND expose the hypocrisy at all levels of an entire nation? That would have to be a documentary ON steroids. Heck, it is a documentary
ABOUT steroids!

Director Christopher Bell is a child of the 80's, growing up on Stallone and Schwarzenegger movies and following pro wrestling red white and blue flag waving antics of Hulk Hogan. Bell and his brothers would soon overcome their awkward slightly tubby teenage phase, to be become gym junkies, then power lifters, college football players, and eventually pro wrestlers, all at some point taking steroids.

As things kick off, the brothers have moved on with their lives to varying degree's, and we are treated to a very up close and personal look at the family politics, denial and egos in play. Dad has a good idea what is going on, Mom is having a hard time of it. This is mixed in with a veritable buffet of authoritative experts looking at the larger picture.

Band standing politicians that literally do not know what they are talking about? Check.
Well meaning but possibly misguided lobbyists? Check.
A who's who of disgraced athletes? Check.
Disgraced athletes getting to frankly state and justify their case? Check.
Frank admissions of steroid use in Olympic athletes going back 50 years? Check.
Hypocrisy in sports administration? Check.
Super sized livestock? Check.
Strong insight from doctors and psychologists that specialize in the field? Check.
Quite the payoff to trying to get self admitted former user Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on record? Oh hell yes, that is a check.

Over and above this, it is very entertaining. It is one thing to be TOLD how easy it is to get steroids, quite another to SHOW a casual trip south of the border or what to say to your doctor to get them on prescription. The whole section of setting up your own sports supplement' business is worth the price of admission alone.

The tag line to this movie is "*The Side Effects Of Being American", and that is what it boils down to in the end. In the large picture it looks at the entire American attitude to win at all costs, while still holding focus on the good, the bad and the ugly of a loving small town American family.

Very entertaining, highly recommended.

Trailer is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8nOKJTL6Tg