The Armstrong Lie is a
documentary that takes a deep look at one of the most horrendous best kept lies
of the sports history, the rise and fall of Lance Armstrong after being
disgracefully accused for doping. He was once known as the greatest cyclist the
world has ever seeing who won 7 Tour De France titles from 1999-2005 after
battling and recovering from cancer.
After winning 7 titles and being
away for 4 years in retirement Armstrong makes a surprise come back in 2009
with hopes of winning another title and raising funds for cancer patients. The
director of this documentary Alex Gibney was hired to make a documentary of the
comeback of Armstrong and he has being covering Armstrong’s sports history for
quite some time. But as the doping scandal came to light the original project
was never finished. But in 2013 Gibney decided that he needs a proper ending to
his documentary and re-opened it after Armstrong makes a confession on Oprah
Winfrey show.
This documentary is quite easy
and interesting to follow. For someone with even a mild knowledge about
professional cycling and Armstrong it can be digested without much effort.
While having a deep look at Armstrong’s sporting career and the doping dilemma
the documentary effectively provides important background information about the
sport itself that fuels the main plot. And it manages to tell the story from
several perspectives than being biased in to one point of view, the intention
being the viewer to have their own conclusion of what had really happened. There
ample amount of historical footage of practice runs, races, press conferences,
court trials and other video that builds a strong case relating to each other.
Obviously for being someone like Armstrong most of his well-known part of his
entire life is on film somewhere. The challenge which the director goes through
is to filter the most relevant and create a flow that doesn’t over hype or dull
to the viewer. In my opinion the job was well done.
The Armstrong Lie is a powerful
piece of documentary film making. And it would give you new perspective of what
really went on with Lance Armstrong. Maybe you have followed his case eagerly
while it was hot but now since things have gone a bit cold a relook would be
ideal. Just as Armstrong phrase many times it felt ok at the time.
Genre: Sport| Documentary
Director: Alex Gibney
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