The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) marked its 50th anniversary by opening with a documentary about John Candy, the beloved Canadian actor and comedian. The screening took place on Thursday night at the Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall, spotlighting Candy’s enduring legacy through the lens of Colin Hanks’ John Candy documentary, which captures the warmth and complexity of the star’s life and career.
The choice was fitting for TIFF, a festival that prioritizes audience engagement with its prestigious People’s Choice Award, reflecting how Candy’s genuine connection to audiences made him an enduring figure in Canadian and international entertainment.
Exploring the Life and Legacy of John Candy
John Candy: I Like Me provides a celebratory and candid look at Candy’s journey, tracing both the joyful highs and the anxieties that accompanied his career. The film acknowledges Candy’s vulnerabilities but shies away from unearthing any profound darkness, portraying him predominantly as down-to-earth, generous, and gentle. Through interviews and rich archival footage, the documentary paints a picture of a man who was loved by peers and fans alike.
Bill Murray’s opening remarks capture the challenge of narrating Candy’s life:
I wish I had some more bad things to say about him,
he says,
That’s the problem when you talk about John. I hope this thing you’re doing turns up people who have some dirt on him.
—Bill Murray, Actor
Yet, as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that there is little to criticize. Hanks, who first encountered Candy as a child while his father, Tom Hanks, co-starred with Candy in Splash, has crafted a documentary that feels more like a heartfelt tribute than an exposé. The title, drawn from a quote within Candy’s work, reflects an affectionate celebration: John Candy: We Like Him might have been just as fitting.
Honoring a Beloved Comedian Through Stories and Memories
The film poses a poignant question about admiration:
How many nice things can we say about one person before you get tired of hearing them?
and answers with
Probably more than you can fit into this movie.
Candy’s likability and kindness resonate deeply, evident in moments like when Dan Aykroyd calls him
the sweetest, most generous person every known to me,
prompting enthusiastic applause from the TIFF audience. The film’s structure – beginning with Candy’s funeral and counting backward from 1994, the year of his death – keeps the viewer aware of the shadow of mortality that loomed over his life.
Candy’s father passed away on his own fifth birthday, a traumatic event that infused his life with an acute awareness of time’s fragility. Candy outlived his father by only eight years, dying at 43, a fact that adds emotional weight to the film’s narrative.
Colin Hanks’ Continued Passion for Documentary Filmmaking
This documentary is the third directed by Colin Hanks, following music-themed films such as 2015’s
All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records
and 2017’s
Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (Our Friends),
which explored the impact of terrorism on the Paris Bataclan theater audience. In contrast, Candy’s story delves into the personal, grappling with themes of loss, fame, and the bittersweet nature of life.
Mortality forms a subtle but persistent undercurrent throughout John Candy: I Like Me. The silence surrounding his father’s death within the family complicated Candy’s ability to confront his fears, yet the film shows how adversity led him toward performing, where his natural brilliance shone despite his insecurities, a view echoed by close colleagues like Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Dan Aykroyd.
Behind the Scenes Insights from Friends and Collaborators
Dave Thomas offers insight into Candy’s charisma, stating,
He looked like a star, he acted like a star,
while Bill Murray vividly describes Candy’s apartment, conjuring images of a cozy space with a Barcalounger, lime green shag carpet, and golden curtains. These intimate details deepen the viewer’s understanding of Candy as both an extraordinary performer and an approachable friend.
The film shines in its use of archival material, showcasing classic sketches like Yellowbelly, where Candy played a notably cowardly cowboy. This and other clips remind audiences of Candy’s unique comedic talent and the warmth he brought to his performances.
Career Highlights and the Impact of Early Loss
Candy’s break into Hollywood began with a role in Steven Spielberg’s World War II comedy 1941, a film that failed commercially but preceded a series of more successful projects. The documentary touches on Candy’s personal concerns following the death of fellow comedian John Belushi in 1982 from a drug overdose. Dave Thomas recounts Candy’s emotional reaction: he feared that Belushi’s death signaled a broader pattern.
Tom Hanks recalls meeting Candy during the filming of Splash when Candy was 33 and deeply preoccupied with his age, aware of his father’s death at 35. Despite this fear and the challenges posed by his weight in an industry obsessed with appearances, Candy thrived during the 1980s, earning acclaim and developing a reputation for generosity and kindness. Conan O’Brien’s story about Candy’s visit to Harvard illustrates this warmth, describing how freely Candy shared his time with students and fans.
A Full Portrait: Balancing Joy and Anxiety in Candy’s Later Years
Two-thirds into the 113-minute film, a tribute section features numerous testimonials celebrating Candy’s life and work, which transitions into a deeper examination of his later years. This final act highlights his collaborations with John Hughes, with whom he made nine films, as well as the growing anxiety and self-doubt that marked Candy’s 1990s.
Despite these struggles, the documentary never descends into darkness. The abundant clips of Candy’s joyful performances ensure that the tone remains uplifting, even as it acknowledges more complex aspects of his life. The film, created with the support of Candy’s family, feels like a story shared by close friends who want to explain why Candy mattered so deeply to them.
A Lasting Memory: Reflections on Friendship and Loss
The film closes poignantly with a reflection from Catherine O’Hara, who recalls a dream she had after Candy’s passing. In it, she asked him, Why’s you have to die? to which Candy replied sharply,
Why’d you have to bring it up?
—Catherine O’Hara, Actress
This exchange captures the mixture of grief, humor, and affection that characterizes John Candy: I Like Me, a documentary that honors John Candy’s legacy with a blend of respect and heartfelt warmth, ensuring his spirit lives on with audiences and friends alike.
