John Candy, a beloved comedic actor of the 1980s and 90s, is the focus of a new documentary titled John Candy: I Like MeToronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film explores Candy’s life and career, highlighting his enduring impact on comedy and Canadian culture. Actor Ryan Reynolds, serving as a producer, and director Colin Hanks joined Candy’s children, Chris and Jennifer Candy—both executive producers—to pay tribute to the late star, whose humor and warmth continue to resonate decades after his death in 1994.
The Origins and Development of the Documentary
John Candy first gained recognition as part of the Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV, eventually earning starring roles in hits such as Stripes, Spaceballs, Uncle Buck, and Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Although Candy passed away from a heart attack in 1994, his work remained influential and is now being celebrated in this comprehensive documentary.
The idea for the project emerged after Ryan Reynolds shared a heartfelt tribute video about Candy on social media several years ago, which quickly went viral and sparked renewed interest in the actor’s life and legacy. Chris Candy recalled,
You did that really beautiful video that you put out on your Twitter account at the time. It went viral primarily and the first time there was some major activity of our dad online and that was really constructive to this,
highlighting the tribute’s role in initiating the documentary process.
Reynolds said,
You saw how people really grabbed onto it,
a sentiment echoed by Jennifer Candy:
They grabbed onto it, it was a great little snippet of what a full-length documentary could be,
showing the strong audience connection to John Candy’s story. Following this response, Reynolds reached out to Colin Hanks about creating the documentary. Hanks explained,
Ryan called me up and basically said ‘I don’t want to live in a world where there is not a documentary about John Candy.’ I said I agree, I wouldn’t want to live in that world either and then he said ‘You should direct it.’
The two discussed the documentary’s direction, focusing on how to best tell Candy’s story meaningfully rather than just making another biographical film.
Exploring John Candy’s Unique Blend of Humor and Heart
Candy’s career was marked by his ability to mix humor with genuine emotion, effortlessly switching from over-the-top comedy to more nuanced, sensitive roles. Reynolds emphasized this aspect, saying,
John, to me, really represents togetherness, joy, not punching down,
and added,
John was a good person when no one was watching. I think that’s a beautiful thing. We live in a very curated world right now, I’d argue too curated, and John was around and moving through the world before any of that and he left in his wake a kindness and a joy. For me its nostalgia too, I think nostalgia is the greatest drug on Earth and John had a way about him that really brought them together and still does to this day.
Jennifer Candy also reflected on her father’s humanity in the documentary, stating,
He was human and he was our dad and it’s amazing to see it through the eyes of people who admire him and love him just as much as we do,
underscoring the personal and public sides of Candy’s legacy.
The Timing and Emotional Significance for the Candy Family
More than 30 years after John Candy’s passing, his children felt the timing was right to share a fuller picture of his life, including the struggles he faced. Chris Candy remarked,
I think for our family, we were in a place where we were ready to share more,
and explained that gaining a better understanding of their father’s psychological challenges was important before entrusting anyone with his story. He described the project as a healing process, saying,
It very much feels like a swan song and a very beautiful goodbye to our dad. It’s one last great John Candy film he gets to star in, so we’re really happy about that.
Jennifer Candy reflected on how her perspective evolved over time, noting,
I think as you get older you understand more that its okay to share,
and shared how connecting with fans and hearing their stories helped fill the void left by her father’s absence. She added,
For me, when I was younger I didn’t quite understand it, but knew that it was okay and I was fine sharing my dad with these amazing fans and friends and extended family because I think our core family was so strong and so tight knit it felt it was okay. It wasn’t like I was missing something, I didn’t feel like I had a gap. As I got older I loved it because it also helped me fill the void of being gone, talking to so many people, sharing and hearing their stories was great for me.
Addressing Challenges and Media Criticism
The documentary also addresses the difficult aspects of Candy’s life, including the media’s focus on his weight, which affected him personally. Colin Hanks found this part of the story particularly compelling, as it touches on issues rarely discussed publicly at the time. He explained,
There were two things I found that were really fascinating because we were dealing with this story that took place now decades ago is what was said and unsaid,
adding,
At that time, talking about therapy or mental health was just something you did not do. That I thought was an incredibly interesting topic considering nowadays it is such a part of the social conversation. It’s very common to hear ‘I’m taking a mental health day’ or anything like that. It interested me that that was not something that was discussed, yet it was totally okay to mention someone’s weight to their face and make them feel incredibly uncomfortable while they’re trying to give you an interview.
Ryan Reynolds highlighted the importance of openness in storytelling, stating,
A documentary is listening more than it is telling. The thing that you think is untouchable or something you want to sit as far away from as possible is sometimes is the very thing you want to move toward,
and added,
It’s amazing how we canonize the comedian or the guy who made us laugh for so many years posthumously, not so much in the moment, much more posthumously. There’s a whole generation who hasn’t seen him yet and I am so excited.
John Candy’s Impact on Canadian Culture and Identity
Though John Candy is admired worldwide, his influence holds special significance in Canada, where he is remembered as “the spirit of Canada” because of his positivity, generosity, and kindness. Reynolds explained why it was important that Canadians tell his story, saying,
Canadian stories are distinct in so many ways and they’re not distinct because they’re not American. Canada has got its own culture, its own vibe. I can meet a Canadian, even if they’re hiding an accent, there is something there that is a comradery and an ability to laugh at oneself. To me it was something I utilized everywhere every chance I got. You see it in guys like Dan Aykroyd, a very proud Canadian, John was an incredibly proud Canadian, as am I.
Premiere and Upcoming Release Details
John Candy: I Like Me had its premiere on September 4th at TIFF and will become available on Amazon Prime starting October 10th. This documentary not only commemorates Candy’s contributions to comedy but also introduces new generations to his unique talent and enduring spirit.
