Film Review: ‘Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem’

Netflix released Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem back in June and it’s a bizarre portrayal of an infamous time in Canada’s political history. The documentary focuses on Rob Ford’s career as he rises from a Toronto city councillor to the mayor of the city.

It’s clear from the very beginning that Ford’s style is different from most politicians of the time. He’s abrasive, outspoken, and sometimes crass. But he manages to win over the city in his bid to become mayor. The documentary sets him out to be a guy who will help anyone, in big or small ways.

Unfortunately, Ford’s political career spirals as a video of him smoking crack cocaine gets out. He denies he ever smoked crack, then confesses. Beyond that, there’s other incidents. Comments about having enough to “eat” at home and even physically ploughing through a councillor during a meeting. 

It is all rather bizarre to look back on, yet the documentary also provides an interesting perspective on Ford. It gives a fascinating glimpse into what the reporters of the time were doing to keep up with Ford’s unpredictable career. It gives the viewer a behind-the-scenes look at how everything that happened had been communicated to the public.

But the documentary isn’t one sided. Going into the documentary, I expected a pretty unsympathetic portrayal of Ford. Especially given his brother, Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s less than happy reaction to the documentary.

The documentary actually took the time to show Ford as a human being, not just the infamous mayor of Toronto. Specifically, Ford’s bodyguard, Jerry Agyemang, gave a fond and emotional recollection of what it was like to work with Ford. Other people who worked for Ford gave similarly fond testimonies.

Additionally, watching this documentary in 2025 reshapes the events of the 2010‘s. For one thing, it’s hard not to see the parallels between Ford’s behaviour and style of political leadership and that of United States President Donald Trump’s. You have to wonder if Trump took a page from Ford’s book.

It also shifts the perspective around Ford’s drug use. Back in 2013 when news broke about Ford smoking crack cocaine, the public opinion around substance use and addiction wasn’t very sympathetic. That’s changed, to some extent. It makes me wonder if this were to happen today, if the public reaction would be any different. 

All together, it’s a well done documentary that sheds light on a bizarre time in Canadian politics. But it’s also rather fair in its portrayal of Ford. So while Doug Ford doesn’t approve, I do. 

You can stream Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem on Netflix.