Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, drugs in docu about Rob Ford's rise and fall.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem
What's the Story?
In TRAINWRECK: MAYOR OF MAYHEM, journalists, investigative reporters, friends, and colleagues take a look back at former Toronto mayor Rob Ford's rise and fall, from his denial of smoking crack cocaine to his reveal many months later that he was lying.
Is It Any Good?
People familiar and involved with Rob Ford and his scandals provide fascinating commentary in this quick documentary. There's also plenty of footage in Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem that features Ford in all his incendiary and compelling glory, for better and for worse. Mocked and celebrated, Ford clearly struggled with addiction, but he rejected the calls for his resignation even after he admitted to having a problem. And as the documentary shows, people often vote based on how they feel versus what the facts are.
The few behind-the-scenes moments of who broke what and when and how Ford reacted to this or that are instinctively watchable, but it's not clear what the documentary's purpose is. In the end, Ford dies from cancer (in 2016), and he's remembered by loved ones and supporters. But then the film just ends. Viewers will be left on their own to decide why this documentary is timely or necessary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about drinking, drugs, and smoking in documentaries. How does Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem portray addiction and drinking? Is there anything about Rob Ford's behavior that is particularly surprising?
Why do you think so many supporters of Rob Ford stuck with him, despite his months of lying, duplicitousness, and being mean and aggressive toward colleagues?
Do you believe people deserve second chances? What about third and fourth chances?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : June 17, 2025
- Cast : Rob Ford , Doug Ford , Mark Towhey , Tom Beyer
- Director : Shianne Brown
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Director(s) , Black British Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 49 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : June 17, 2025
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