Drugs and Deception: The Armstrong Lie Review

Racing around the streets of Monaco Lance Armstrong could have been be mistaken for a machine from the Grand Prix. Like its mechanical counterpart cycling has its own formula for winning although this one contained some unwritten rules.

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The film follows Lance Armstrong’s attempt at a comeback in 2009. The 7 time Tour de France winner wanted to prove the doubters wrong once and for all. However, in his desperate bid to reclaim the yellow jersey he brought about the start of his own downfall.

Documentary director Alex Gibney was with Lance throughout the entire 2009 Tour and even he was hoodwinked by the whole affair.  While he was aware of past doping allegations Armstrong convinced him otherwise. After all he had exclusive access to the star. Gibney thought he was making a feel-good film for all the family. The film explained key cycling concepts so that it could be accessed by all.  It was only when he was exposed in 2012 did Armstrong finally sit down and set the record straight.

Armstrong could stare straight into the camera and defiantly say that he did not use drugs.  He claimed to use science and natural methods supplied by the controversial Dr Michele Ferrari, nicknamed Schumi after F1 driver Michael Schumacher. If you can convince yourself then you can convince anyone.  It’s ironic how when Armstrong eventually admits the drug taking truth in the aftermath he looks even more uncomfortable.  Rather than lifting the weight off his shoulders you can see it crashing down as his illusion is smashed and reality kicks in.

While Armstrong finished 3^rd in the 2009 Tour it came at a cost as the results of a doping test in that race would ultimately come back to
destroy his legacy.  The all smiling Ferrari was hidden in plain sight although it turns out that he was “personification of the dark side of cycling” in the words of writer Daniel Coyle.  

The editing employed is quite clever when combined with the emotional score. Gibney is very good at presenting both sides of the argument and the film is well organised. The ability to ride clean as opposed to actually being able to compete is openly explored.  

Overall the film is very good introduction to the Armstrong era. It asks questions and explores the consequences of Armstrong’s unethical actions.  While Armstrong is the antihero with name recognition he is overshadowed by Michele Ferrari who is the real puppet master. A Coyle quote sums him up well as “He is a scientist and that’s one of the bits that gets lost in all of this.”