Bigger, Stronger, Faster*

Aroview: Wannabe ironman Chris Bell spins his lack of conviction and self-doubt into an eye-opening documentary on America’s pervading culture of steroid abuse.

Fronting his investigation as a disillusioned bodybuilder who for (conflicted) reasons chooses not to use performance enhancing drugs, Bell is a little overzealous – and therefore, unfocused – in his enthusiasm to cover all bases in the debate surrounding anabolic steroids in sport. Nevertheless, the arguments for and against make for engaging, fast-paced viewing (in the vein of SUPERSIZE ME, somewhat), while Bell’s bizarre hero worship (of Arnold Schwarzenegger) and moral uncertainty (on whether to flip-flop on his anti-drugs stance) inject the film with some much needed human drama and frailty.

NZ International Film Festival 2008