When I told my daughter I was going to see John Candy: I Like Me, she looked at me and said, “Who’s that?” I knew at that moment that I had failed to introduce her to the genius that is Mr. John Candy. When thinking of where she might have seen him, I said, “Remember in Home Alone, the polka band leader?” It took a minute, but then she said, “Oh, yeah! I know who you are talking about!”. This interaction made me wonder: “How many people do not know who John Candy is?” and after watching the film, I was reminded what an amazing talent he was. 

It’s been 31 years since the passing of John Candy, and his effect on not only comedy but movies in general is still present today. During a recent Q&A about the film, Ryan Reynolds stated that the Deadpool & Wolverine movie is basically a homage to Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. If you rewatch that movie, you will see similarities and also see the Chrysler LeBaron Custom Convertible in one of the scenes. There are other moments in there, but you will have to go back and find them yourself. 

John Candy: I Like Me is told through various interviews with those who knew him well. Catherine O’Hara, Bill Murray, Eugene Levy, Steve Martin, and many more share their personal stories about working with Candy and the person he was. The one thing they all can agree on is that Candy was the nicest person ever. He would talk to everyone on set, make sure everyone was good, and if fans were around, sign autographs for all of them. 

As friendly as Candy was, he did suffer from anxiety attacks. These stemmed from losing his father at the age of five and his family not really talking about it. Candy had to grow up a little fast, and it was he and his older brother who helped his mom during their time of need. The documentary does a great job in showing the audience who John Candy was, but at times, it all feels like it is just touching the surface. 

The film does a great job at showcasing John Candy’s talent and may rekindle interest in his catalog. While there were comedic elements in his movies, they also had strong dramatic moments. In these moments, we saw not only the actor but the person behind the role. Candy had a way to pull your heartstrings while making you laugh. Maybe hearing more about these moments or roles would have given the film some depth. Anytime a documentary or film is made about an actor who has passed, things need to be removed for time, and if this ever gets a physical release, we will get to hear more stories and see more sides of John Candy. I, for one, will go back and watch some of his movies with my kids.

Final Thoughts: John Candy: I Like Me is a fantastic insight into the life of John Candy. It will open the door to a new world for those unfamiliar with Mr. Candy. The interviews are great to watch, and all of them reveal some insight into the comedian’s world. Some of the material feels a little flat at times, but it is hard to summarize the life of Mr. Candy in an hour and a half. For fans of Candy, this is a great tribute to the man. 

Violence: None, just some comedic moments from some of Candy’s movies. 

Kid-Friendly: The movie is great for young fans to get to know who John Candy was. 

From director Colin Hanks and producer Ryan Reynolds comes John Candy: I Like Me. Those who knew John best share his story, in their own words, through never-before-seen archival footage, imagery, and interviews. It’s a documentary of the life, career, and loss of one of the most beloved actors of all time.