Bigger Stronger Faster*

Chris Bell and his two brothers grew up in America in the eighties. Their heroes were Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. All three started lifting weights. Years later Chris learns that most of the names he admired had used steroids. Both his brothers use them; one wants to be a wrestler, the other is in professional powerlifting. Chris does not, and asks himself why. The documentary starts with that question and goes to every side of the subject: athletes, doctors, members of Congress, the pharmaceutical system and his own family. Chris Bell directs and appears in the film. It is an American production. The documentary takes up the widespread claims about the health effects of steroid use one by one and shows that some are not supported by data. The narrative handles the subject without going on the defensive; it neither celebrates steroids nor simply condemns them. Its strongest side is the family strand; his brothers' decisions are not an abstract argument. The documentary takes on the American idea of success and uses the steroid question as one instance of it. It draws widely on congressional hearings and news footage of the period. Its limit is scope; the narrative scatters across many subjects and some sections stay shallow. Another limit is position; the director is not neutral and does not hide it. Who it is for: viewers who like sports documentary and arguments about American culture. Who it is not for: it is scattered, partisan, and the subject will feel technical to some.