Tour de Pharmacy

Tour de Pharmacy is a mockumentary television film that premiered on HBO on July 8, 2017. Directed by Jake Szymanski and written by Murray Miller, the film parodies the doping scandals that have plagued professional cycling. Featuring an ensemble cast including Andy Samberg, Orlando Bloom, Freddie Highmore, Daveed Diggs, and John Cena, Tour de Pharmacy presents a fictionalized account of a drug-fueled cycling competition in the 1980s.

Plot

The film is set during the 1982 Tour de France and follows a group of cyclists who, except for one, are all doping. The narrative is structured as a documentary, with present-day interviews with the characters and archival footage of the race. The story humorously explores the extent of doping practices in cycling, exaggerating for comedic effect the lengths to which athletes will go to enhance their performance illegally.

Cast

• Andy Samberg as Marty Hass, a naive cyclist who is unaware of the doping culture in professional cycling.
• Orlando Bloom as Juju Pepe, a flamboyant competitor known for his aggressive tactics.
• Freddie Highmore as Adrian Baton, a young and ambitious cyclist.
• Daveed Diggs as Slim Robinson, the first African-American cyclist to compete in the Tour de France.
• John Cena as Gustav Ditters, a powerfully built cyclist with a suspiciously rapid improvement in performance.

Production

Tour de Pharmacy was produced by Murray Miller, Andy Samberg, and David Bernad, among others. The film's creation was inspired by the real-life doping scandals in professional cycling, most notably the case involving Lance Armstrong. The filmmakers aimed to satirize the situation while also making broader comments on the absurdity of competitive sports doping.

Reception

Upon its release, Tour de Pharmacy received positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor, cast performances, and satirical take on a controversial subject. The film has been noted for its absurd and exaggerated portrayal of doping in sports, drawing comparisons to the real-life events it parodies.

See Also

• Lance Armstrong doping case
• Doping in sport
• Mockumentary
• HBO