Review of Theo Fleury: Playing With Fire (2011) by Buggy B — 16 Mar 2014

Surprisingly good documentary, providing an intimate look at Canadian hockey player Theo Fleury, utilizing archival footage and interviews with friends, family, bitter ex-wives and ex-teammates to shed light on his personal life and troubled childhood. Including Theo's sexual abuse and eventual fall from grace through drugs and alcohol, walking away from the NHL and millions of dollars in the middle of his career.

It follows his book (Playing With Fire) and begins at the beginning with Theo taking us on a tour of his childhood home and the first rink he played on. We then join him on a road trip as he drives along reminiscing on his life's highlights and lowlights. Visiting Winnipeg, Calgary, New York, Chicago, New Mexico. Its very dark, often sad and pulls no punches, you see the real man here. We follow Theo through the juniors and minor leagues into Calgary and subsequent trades. We witness him winning the World Junior championship, Stanley Cup, Canada cup, Olympic gold (he's very bitter about not being included in the hockey hall of fame.) We also hear about the utter chaos of his life; strippers, cocaine, gambling and thoughts of suicide.

A couple moments stood out for me; the crew driving aimlessly around an area in New Mexico because Theo can`t remember where the house is he lived in (for 4 years) Looking sadly out the window "this one?" "no, try the next one" "That's what years of booze, cocaine and concussions will do to you." he explains.

Its also pretty heartbreaking watching him sit and smoke outside of Madison Square Garden after being told he's not allowed inside. Fleury may never be able to mend the bridges he`s burned. 03.09.14.