I watched the documentary, 'Bigger Faster Stronger' and what I found somewhat surprising was its link to the American Dream. The film talks about steroids and how it's affected this nation, along with the narrators/directors family.
The documentary goes really in-depth on the subject, with interviews from both sides of the spectrum. The documentary did seem to learn towards those who were pro-steroids although the narrator is against it, and even considers it cheating. There have been a lot of claims of side-effects associated with steroids but it's not a leading cause of death. It's listed, in the movie, as the 140th(ish) cause of deaths in America.
The documentary also focused on athletes, especially those of the MLB(major league baseball) as well as actors such as Schwarzenegger, Stallone and Hulk Hogan. These American 'heroes' whom many look up to, set examples of what it's like to have a desirable body and what it means to be a man: muscle. Many people, especially children, are influenced by this and of course will do what it takes to be more like them.
In the film, the narrator tells the story about his brother and how much he wanted to be a wrestler, so he worked out of course. But eventually he started taking steroids to ensure that he would make it to the top. He never quite makes it but still believes that if he works hard, and continues taking steroids, he can achieve his dream. The wrestling federation tells him he's too old yet he's so disillusioned he'll do whatever it takes, he even moves to California because he believes he'll be more successful there with his non-existing wrestling career.
He often reminds me of Willy Loman of 'Death of a Salesman.' He's had this dream since he was young and has held on to it, clung to it, never letting go that it just consumes them. They believe in the American Dream so much, that they become fooled by it. It becomes the cause of their dismay and the more the hold on to it, the farther away it seems to be.
The connection with the American dream was very interesting because, as you can tell, it was not so positive. It was another take on how American living, the American dream, and needing to be the best destroys people. Th expectations of being something great is way too high in this society. People become desperate and do all kinds of things to achieve their dreams, whether it be steroids, cheating, drug-trafficking, bulimia, stealing, etc.
Some of the last words in the move really stuck with me: 'because today in American there seems to be a clash of doing the right thing, and being the best. Steroids are just a side effect of being an American.'
I really enjoyed this documentary, it really gives a different perspective on anabolic steroid use. It may even change our view on it, I know, for sure, that it's changed mine.
The Narrator, on both sides
I really enjoyed looking back at this book. I haven't read the entire thing but I love the bits and pieces I've read over time. Comics are really what inspired me to become an artist. Reading Garfield and peanuts really inspired me to do my own little comics. I would draw them all the time in middle school but that's a different story all together.
