CIFF: Fleury's "Playing With Fire"
Did anyone else have a chance to see tonight's screening at the Calgary International Film Festival? Overall, I enjoyed the film and I thought it was well directed. About 50-60 came out for Sunday's viewing.
A few thoughts on my part:
- Theo really is his father's son. During his father's interview, he didn't mention Theo a lot. Instead, he talked about how good of a hockey player he was in his day and how he let alcohol get in the way. He didn't talk about Theo's successes. He focused slightly on his on his failures as a father and more so believing he could've been a better player than Theo. Later in the film, hearing Theo talk about how he deserves to have his number retired by the Flames and how he belongs in his HHoF reminds me of the way his father talks.
- To me, Brian Sutter's words stood out the most. He obviously cares for Theo very much and saw him through some extremely rough times. Sutter spoke in a caring no-nonsense way.
- I'm glad they had comments from the mother of his first child. She was harsh and brutally honest. Her inclusion obviously was needed for balance in the film. It's hard to believe he has yet to contact her and I'm shocked she agreed to be interviewed.
However, I did believe a lot of important interviews were missing. They didn't sit down with any players that suited up with Theo for more than only a few seasons. It was very much lacking there. Perhaps that's why they used so much interview footage from Sutter. They included a few bits from Vernon, Macoun and Peplinski, but they didn't play with Theo for that long.
There was no mention of his trade from Calgary to Colorado, which shocked me. I thought that was a major turning point in his life.
I was floored both MSG and the United Center said no to him and the film crew shooting in the arenas. I don't know who made those decisions, but I'm assuming it came straight from the NYR/Blackhawks management.
There's a second screening of the movie Thursday, late in the afternoon... 5 pm I believe. Although it's not a hockey movie per say, I would recommend it. It didn't change my opinion of Theo, but it's an interesting in-depth look at his life.
Last edited by Mango; 09-26-2011 at 12:59 AM.
|
