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Parents' Guide to

Bigger, Stronger, Faster

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Documentary minimizes harmful effects of doping.

Movie PG-13 2008 106 minutes
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Director Chris Bell takes an up-close and personal look into the world of performance enhancing drug use. So personal, that he interviews his brothers extensively about their use of anabolic steroids and other drugs. During his study of the history of steroid use, he uncovers some facts and sheds light on why doping is such a hot topic these days. Athletes like Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson are interviewed about their admitted (or secret) doping. Senate hearings are tapped into, and baseball heroes like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Jose Canseco are shown talking about-- or denying -- doping.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

What's disturbing about this documentary, however witty and interesting it is, is how very close the subject is to the director. His analysis becomes skewed, regardless of the fact that he personally objects to doping. His love, admiration, and pity for his brothers sways him in a way that an outsider to the pressures of the bodybuilding world would not feel. On the other hand, he explores the topic of hypocrisy and cheating in a very succinct manner. Ultimately, Bell believes that American culture is the problem. He deduces simply that "in America, cheaters always prosper."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why being the best is so important in our society. Do you feel the need to have an edge over your peers? How far would you go to be number one? How does Smelly lie to his family and his students? How is he lying to himself? What does cheating really mean? Do the people who use anabolic steroids in this film behave differently than those who do not?

Movie Details

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