In a nation that defines itself as the biggest, strongest, and fastest, the documentary “Bigger, Stronger, Faster” delves into the pervasive use of performance-enhancing steroids in American sports. Director Christopher Bell takes us on a journey exploring the connection between this steroid subculture and the relentless pursuit of victory, often at any cost.
The Bell Brothers’ Odyssey into Bodybuilding Culture
In the backdrop of Poughkeepsie, NY, during the 1980s, filmmaker Christopher Bell and his brothers, Mike and Mark, found heroes in the likes of Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Inspired by these muscular icons, they ventured into bodybuilding, with Mike and Mark even entering the realm of professional wrestling. However, Bell, a former staffer at Gold’s Gym, abstained from anabolic steroids, realizing the moral implications of such enhancements.
Exploring the Moral Quandaries: Beyond Steroids
While “Bigger, Stronger, Faster” scrutinizes the health costs associated with steroid use, its primary focus lies in unraveling the moral consequences intertwined with performance-enhancing substances. The documentary refrains from passing judgment but raises poignant questions about the lengths people are willing to go to achieve success. Through interviews with medical experts, congressmen, and professional athletes, including Ben Johnson, Carl Lewis, and Floyd Landis, it paints a vivid picture of the ethical dilemmas faced in the pursuit of excellence.
American Superlative: The Film’s Cultural Critique
The documentary extends its scrutiny beyond the realm of steroids, questioning the inconsistency in how America views drug use and cheating. From Tiger Woods’ laser eye correction for a 20/15 vision to musicians’ reliance on blood pressure-reducing drugs and athletes’ use of legal steroids like cortisone shots, “Bigger, Stronger, Faster” presents a critical view on the various facets of the American obsession with being the best. It challenges the status quo, not only in the sports arena but also in the broader context of success.
Rethinking Steroid Regulation and the American Dream
As Christopher Bell reflects on steroid regulation, he challenges the existing norms, stating, “If you look at all the laws in our country and at how and why things get banned, they don’t actually fit into that category.” After three years of intensive research, Bell encourages a reconsideration of our perspectives on performance-enhancing substances. “Bigger, Stronger, Faster” serves not only as a documentary but as a thought-provoking commentary on the intricate relationship between the American Dream and the pursuit of superlative achievements.
In a culture that venerates being bigger, stronger, and faster, Bell’s documentary forces us to confront the ethical and health ramifications of this relentless pursuit, urging us to reevaluate our definitions of success and the means employed to achieve it.
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