“John Candy: I Like Me” is a warm, generous, and deeply affectionate documentary that’s less like a conventional biography than a collective warm remembrance of a man with a heart as huge as his comedic talent. Directed with a genuine admiration by Colin Hanks, the film captures not only the brilliance of John Candy the performer, but also the complexities, anxieties, and quiet tenderness of John Candy the person. It is the kind of retrospective that leaves you laughing through tears, reminded of the immense joy Candy brought to millions and the lingering sadness of just how early we lost him.
The film frames itself as a tribute from the outset. It opens with Dan Aykroyd’s eulogy and closes with one from Catherine O’Hara, bookending the documentary with the voices of close friends who knew him both onstage and off. Hanks weaves together meticulously selected archival footage, never-before-seen home videos, and a remarkable series of interviews with family members, friends, and collaborators. The star-studded roster includes legends like Steve Martin, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Conan O’Brien, Macaulay Culkin, Tom Hanks, and Bill Murray, reading like a who’s who of modern comedy. Every single one of them speaks with palpable affection, and no body has a bad word to say about Candy. I mean, it seems impossible to find anyone who didn’t love the man wholeheartedly.
The documentary celebrates Candy’s career as a comedic genius, from his beloved SCTV characters to his scene-stealing roles in “Splash,” “Spaceballs,” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” from which the film draws its title. Revisiting that body of work is a pure delight, and a reminder of his rare ability to fuse broad humor with unexpected emotional depth. This documentary made me remember just how much joy Candy has brought into my life, and there’s something bittersweet about that.
Hanks gently explores the shadows behind Candy’s sunny public persona, acknowledging the pressures of Hollywood, the fat phobia he navigated throughout his career, and his lifelong struggles with anxiety and self doubt. It creates a portrait of a man who brought delight to everyone around him while quietly carrying burdens of his own.
By the time the final eulogy fades, “John Candy: I Like Me” accomplishes something rare. It not only reminds you how much you loved Candy, but also makes you feel that loss all over again. It’s a heartfelt, tear-inducing tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent and the gentle soul behind the laughs.
