Bigger

Reg Park: "Do you ever stop?"
Joe Weider: "No, I do not."

release year: 2018
genre: drama
viewing setting: streaming online video 7/29/19

synopsis: This is the story of Joe Weider, a pioneer in many aspects of the fitness world.

impressions: This was great. If youre a fan of bodybuilding, or just good success stories, you should enjoy it. Weider (and his brother Ben) revolutionized bodybuilding, starting over half a century ago, and built a magazine empire and a bodybuilding federation that still endure today. This movie really captures many aspects of Joe Weider: his aloofness, his drive to succeed his way, and his singlemindedness to achieve that goal. I also really liked the various small parts of different bodybuilders from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s such as Reg Park, Larry Scott, Frank Zane, and Sergio Oliva.

acting: Tyler Hoechlin does a good job as the focused visionary. Robert Forster plays him in his later years. Julianne Hough is Joe's wife Betty, who helped and supported him in the tough times. Aneurin Barnard is brother Ben Weider, who often brings caution and common sense into Joe's actions. Kevin Durand plays a bigoted, nasty rival publisher and promoter, and is quite unlikeable here. Calum Von Moger plays a young Arnold Schwarzenegger, and does it remarkably well. Colton Haynes is Joe's friend (and fellow fitness pioneer) Jack Lalanne. Sergio Oliva Jr. plays his father, who had won three consecutive Mr. Olympias before barely losing to Arnold in 1970. DJ Qualls is a reporter who's getting Joe's life story near its end.

final word: Thoroughly enjoyable fictionalized account of the birth, challenges, and success of the Weider fitness empire.

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