In Remembrance: John Candy - “John Candy: I Like Me”

For last week’s edition, I checked out “Tender Mercies” for my small In Remembrance review series (Robert Duvall). This week I checked out a film for my series featuring the late great comedy legend John Candy (who passed away March 4, 1994) - the Amazon Prime documentary “John Candy: I Like Me.”

“John Candy: I Like Me” is an exploration of the life and legacy of the comedic icon. The film showcases Candy’s remarkable career from his breakout turn on SCTV in his native Canada to starring in some of the biggest comedies of all time. But it also dives deeply into his life off-camera, through never before seen home videos and the personal recollections of those who knew him best.

“John Candy: I Like Me” is a very heartfelt, sincere tribute to the late actor’s immense kindness, warmth and talent. The documentary features tributes from colleagues like Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and even the late Catherine O’Hara, among many others, while also providing an intimate look at his life and legacy.

“I Like Me” also provides open and vulnerable interviews from Candy’s wife and adult children, which can be quite emotional at times. The use of private home movies and unseen photos made the documentary quite moving and shows how Candy treated all friends and family and colleagues the same.

While everyone’s stories about Candy are fantastic and moving, it’s actually Macauley Culkin’s account that hits hard the most. Culkin’s stories are especially moving, particularly his recollection of how Candy acted as a protective, supportive father figure on the set of “Uncle Buck” and “Home Alone.” During this time was when Culkin was beginning to have issues with his father-manager.

The film also connects Candy’s career-long anxiety and “people pleaser” personality to his childhood, specifically losing his father at the age of five. This created a “fatherless child” mentality that drove him to work excessively and seek approval. The documentary also highlights the cruel, public scrutiny of his weight during his lifetime, featuring archival interviews that show how he often hid his pain behind laughter.

“John Candy: I Like Me” is a must watch for fans, offering a nostalgic and touching look at the beloved star. It’s a warm, affectionate, and at times, heartbreaking tribute that successfully serves as a two hour feel-good experience that also brings a few tears. “I LIke Me” reminds audiences that Candy was not only a gifted entertainer, but also a very sweet, endearing human being.

I did initially intend to write about his 1993 movie “Cool Runnings,” as it was his final hit movie before his untimely death and a couple flops. So, down the road, there’s a good chance I’ll revisit “Cool Runnings” and maybe a couple more John Candy favorites!

My final review of the In Remembrance review series is now planned for the April 8 edition and will focus on the late Catherine O’Hara!

John Candy (October 31, 1950 - March 4, 1994)

Streaming service: Amazon Prime

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrcQRsrBcCk

• The title comes from one of his lines in Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987).

• The documentary mentions that many films at the end of John Candy 's career were box-office failures ("turkeys"), but that's not entirely true. Cool Runnings (1993) was the last John Candy movie released before his death, and not only it was a huge success but it was also the highest grossing live action movie from Walt Disney Pictures at the time.

• The highway mentioned in the documentary is in Los Angeles. When they took John's casket from the local chapel to Holy Cross Cemetery, LAPD blocked off Interstate 405 from Sunset Boulevard to Slauson Avenue, stopping traffic and escorting the family.