Review of "John Candy: I Like Me": Colin Hanks' Documentary Honors the Life and Comic Legend of John Candy with a Heartfelt Tribute
Forty years ago, Toronto-raised John Franklin Candy's big screen career was jump-started by the film "Splash". Now, his life and legacy are being celebrated in a new documentary titled "John Candy: I Like Me". Directed by Colin Hanks, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be available on Amazon Prime Video starting October 10, co-produced by Ryan Reynolds.
Candy, who gained confidence performing improv and sketch comedy, was inspired by his work on the cult sketch series SCTV. His inspired takes on characters such as Pavarotti, Julia Child, and Orson Welles caught the attention of industry folk.
The documentary charts Candy's career trajectory from the Second City stages in Chicago and Toronto to his collaborations with John Hughes in eight films. Mel Brooks, who cast Candy as the half-man, half-dog Barf in Spaceballs, described his professional ethic as behaving like a human being.
Eating and drinking became Candy's coping mechanism, despite his awareness of his family's history with heart disease. According to the documentary, he struggled with chronic anxiety during his final years. Tragically, Candy passed away at the age of 43 due to a heart attack, on March 4, 1994, while filming the comedy Wagons East.
The documentary includes anecdotes from comedic talent, Candy's widow, and two adult children. Testimonials and reminiscences from family, friends, and colleagues including Dan Aykroyd, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Andrea Martin, Bill Murray, Macaulay Culkin, and Tom Hanks (who played his brother in Splash) are featured in the documentary.
Candy was affected by the death of John Belushi and expressed concern about the start of drug-related deaths among comedians. The documentary provides an assessment of Candy's life and legacy, addressing his personal struggles as well as his professional achievements.
Colin Hanks' documentary features a Cynthia Erivo cover of "Every Time You Go Away" by Daryl Hall & John Oates. By the early '90s, Candy co-owned the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts with Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall. Spielberg offered him a part in 1941, and Mel Brooks cast him in Spaceballs after receiving high praise from Carl Reiner.
"John Candy: I Like Me" is a poignant and insightful exploration of the life and career of a beloved comedic icon. It serves as a fitting tribute to a man who brought laughter and joy to countless audiences throughout his career.
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