Bigger Stronger Faster

Bigger, Stronger, Faster is a documentary that takes a bit of time to get into. It starts with a personal voice over of the filmmaker discussing his youth and his obsession with professional wrestling. The story then follows Chris Bell and his brothers and their aspirations as weight lifters and would be professional wrestlers. This of course brings up the issue of steroids. Both of Bell's brothers use steroids while Chris does not. Chris sets up to discover exactly what is the deal with steroids. He attempts to cut through the hype and the public battle against steroid use.

Bell has a unique viewpoint of steroid use. Both his brothers take the drug and they seem to be fine. He systematically goes through the various arguments against steroids and attempts to show that they are not nearly as extreme as certain activists would have you believe. The narrative of the film is largely pro steroid and yet something holds back Chris Bell from using steroids. He attempts to be sensitive to the irrational opposition at times (unfortunately there irrationality points to their foolishness). He even asks some fairly pointed questions to Carl Lewis about steroid use.

Still although it has its moments of very fascinating revelation, the real interest of the documentary is the personal. Specifically the very candid conversations that Chris has with his brothers and his parents about steroids and life in general. Some of the best moments include a scene in which Chris' father discusses how one brother puts off solving his problems by playing up his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler and moving to California. This is undercut on occasion by a return to the wacky humor of the opening. Almost as if Chris Bell is uncomfortable with candid introspection.

Although it only briefly touches on the issue of image ideals in our society and the pressure to succeed, the very personal nature of the Bell family carries the film through and it is worth watching.