‘John Candy: I Like Me’ trailer
The trailer for the Prime Video documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” about the life of comedy legend John Candy. Directed by Colin Hanks.
Most people have one “Uncle Buck“ in their lives – someone who is funny, who makes questionable life choices but has the purest heart. Mine was my late Uncle Bruce, who we affectionately called “Buck” because he was in many ways the living embodiment of John Hughes’ 1989 creation.
That was the power of John Candy – the everyman whose performances could connect with viewers despite the divisiveness of the screen. His life is revisited in the new Prime Video documentary “John Candy: I Like Me.”
The opening minutes are among the most emotional. The film begins at the end of Candy’s life in March 1994 and shows footage of his memorial service. Moments later we hear words from Dan Aykroyd’s moving eulogy, combined with images from the actor’s extensive filmography, as well as personal photos and home-made video clips. Aykroyd called Candy ‘great’ – a description that the film proves to be true.
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John Candy’s life is revisited in Prime Video’s new documentary “John Candy: I Like Me.” (Patti Gower/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Candy’s entire career is chronicled by colleagues from his days in Toronto’s Second City, such as Aykroyd, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Andrea Martin, Robin Duke and Dave Thomas. They are joined by some of Candy’s most memorable co-stars, such as Tom Hanks (“Splash”), Steve Martin (“Planes, Trains and Automobiles”), Bill Murray (“Stripes”) and Macaulay Culkin (“Uncle Buck”), as well as other comedic geniuses such as Conan O’Brien and Mel Brooks, who directed Candy in “Spaceballs”. They offer fun behind-the-scenes anecdotes about their various projects with Candy, while spotlighting his talent and warmth.
“I wish I had more bad things to say about him,” Murray jokes early in the film.
Those unfamiliar with Candy’s biography will learn how anguished he was by the sudden death of his father on his fifth birthday (his father was only 35) a loss that created the chronic anxiety Candy battled and the fear of his own death before he died at age 43. Although he rarely took care of himself and hid his own pain by eating, drinking and smoking, his friends and loved ones said he always made them a priority.
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A young John Candy seen with his brother and father, who died at the age of 35 on the actor’s fifth birthday.
An example came from Culkin, who heralded Candy’s “fatherly” instincts on the set of “Uncle Buck,” saying his father was “already a monster” even before the fame and money rolled in from “Home Alone.”
“I think John, looking a little bit to the side, said, ‘Is everything okay there? Are you okay? Good day? Are you okay? Everything okay at home? OK,'” Culkin says. “That’s a testament to the kind of man he was. I think he was just looking out for the kid, which I appreciate because it doesn’t happen that often. It actually happened less and less as time went on.
“I wish I had more of that in my life. It’s important that I remember that. I remember John caring, when not many people did,” he adds.
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Macaulay Culkin praised Candy’s “fatherly” instincts during his appearance in the Prime Video documentary. (Getty Images)
“I Like Me” is a family affair. Candy’s widow, Rose, and their children Jennifer and Chris – all credited as co-executive producers – shed light on his dedication as a husband and father, even amid his skyrocketing fame. Colin Hanks, son of Candy’s “Splash” co-star, directs the film, with Ryan Reynolds also serving as producer.
In the director’s chair, Hanks handles Candy’s story with tenderness, weaving discussions of the actor’s insecurities and struggles with his weight—Rose notes, “The industry wanted him big,” despite his sincere efforts to live a healthier lifestyle—with visuals that showcase his unparalleled ability to make people laugh. We also get to hear Candy’s own words as archives of his past interviews are sprinkled throughout the film. Many of him talk about how much his family meant to him, some reveal his vulnerabilities, such as when confronted with uncomfortable questions about his size. It’s subtle, but the fear is there. He was human after all.
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John Candy’s children said he always put family first, even as his fame took off. (Courtesy of Prime, Amazon Content Services LLC)
The verdict:
“John Candy: I Like Me” is a bittersweet tribute to a sweet, unique talent that was tragically taken from us far too soon. This walk down memory lane will only make Candy’s fans love him even more – and hopefully inspire new fans to revisit the classics.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to start a candy marathon.
★★★ ½ — STREAM IT NOW
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“John Candy: I Like Me” is rated PG-13 for smoking, strong language, drug material and suggestive material. Running time: 1 hour, 53 minutes. Now streaming on Prime Video.
