Bigger Faster Stronger* Review

What up GAINZ world?  Yours truly recently watched a movie by Chris Bell called "Bigger Faster Stronger*" which analyzed steroid use in America and the general notions associated with them.  The movie was semi-autobiographical of Mr. Bell and was shot in a similar style to any recent documentary or any Michael Moore movie (yes, there was some "over-the-top-ness").  I went into the movie not knowing what to expect, but it turned out to be an excellent movie; one that pretty much anyone could enjoy.

Allow me to put on my Ebert-hat and break down some of the main points/themes of the movie and how they affect the GAINZ world.

*********SPOILER ALERT**************

A running theme throughout the movie is Chris' personal choice not to do the JUICE, while his brothers, Mark and Mike, consistently use.  Chris' decision is based on his own moral view that "steroids are bad" and that the one time he did try them earlier in his life he felt guilty about it.  On the other hand, his older brother (I forget which one is which) juices as a means to chase his dream of becoming a big time wrestler/movie star.  I know the older brother's storyline sounds lame and contrived, but it's pretty sad to see this borderline middle-age man continue to chase a dream that everyone knows he cannot achieve.  He even moves out to Caleeforneeya to become a star.  DERP!

The younger brother juices to help him compete for powerlifting titles.  Chris competes in these events too, but fails to do well because he's pretty much the only guy not 'roided up.

Basically the line separating the three brother is a moral line which Chris will not cross.  The other brothers cross the line not because they think what they're doing is amoral, but because their views on what is moral differs from Chris'.  Interesting considering they all come from the same upbringing.

In the end, I believe one's own "moral line in the sand" is the over-arching theme of the movie for the GAINZ world, but a number of other issues are examined as well.  One of those issues is whether steroids are actually bad for your health.  A number of people in the movie passionately 'testify' that they are not.  Chris' older brother states that the juice shrinks his nuts/sack, but that they return to regular size when he's finished the cycle.  Other lifelong bodybuilders state that juicing hasn't had the negative effects on them that are reported in the mainstream.

An AIDS patient argues that steroids saved his life because they gave him an appetite and made him stronger.  I really believed this guy, but that may been because his forehead was larger than Barry Bonds' and his jaw was bigger than Leno's.  So much for the sickly, feeble AIDS look...

On the other hand, one man claims that steroids directly caused the death of his teenaged son.  Chris interviews the man who swears that steroids caused his son severe depression, which led to his son's suicide.  It's a very touching subject, but Chris very professionally asks for proof that juicing was the cause.  No proof is given.  The father, in a genuine and passionate fashion, simply says "he knows."  It really feels like the father is searching for something to blame and latching on to it.  In any event, it seems like we still don't really know anything about steroids yet. 

Another issue is the hypocrisy of steroid use, which many examples are given.  One example is The Governator.  Simply put, steroids helped him to dominate the Mr. Olympia which led to worldwide fame which led to acting which led to more fame which led to a position in George Bush's exercise committee which led to Total Recall which led to governance of the State of Caleeforneeya.  Undoubtedly Arnold has a will to succeed that surpasses 99.99% of the world's population, but only a fugazi would believe that steroids didn't help him in some way.  And it was hypocritcal when he later denounced steroid use but to this day still sponsors bodybuilding events where the competitors are completely juiced up and some have been suspected of steroid-related crimes.

It was also hypocritical of him to have Gold's Gym in Venice Beach take down his photos in an effort to distance himself from steroids. 


Another point of hypocrisy is the dudes on the covers of fitness magazines.  They usually look muscular (but not overly so) and lean.  Well, one of them admitted to steroid use and pretty much indicated that it was an industry wide thing.  Thus, they aren't being totally honest when they say Hydroxycut is all that's needed to have a body like theirs.  Again, another example of steroids helping someone advance in their career.

The movie also gets into steroids in sports and uncovers some gems:  perhaps Ben Johnson v. Carl Lewis wasn't as bad as it sounded (although I'll always support the American) and perhaps Barry Bonds isn't the steroid-villian he's made out to be (a particularly riveting press conference in which he calls out all the reporters for cheating).  I'm not defending any of these guys right now, but the movie does give you something to think about.  And that's what movies, especially documentaries, should do.

There were so many other points/scene I wanted to write about, but I recommend you Netflix Bigger Faster Stronger* and come to your own conclusions.  And draw your own moral line in the sand.  I'll leave you with a deleted scene from the movie.....at least our boy Cutler keeps it real