John Candy: I Like Me

Among the most beloved comedic actors in the history of film and television, John Candy was one of a kind. This inspiring, wildly entertaining documentary from director Colin Hanks celebrates Candy’s life and work through brilliantly curated archival materials and heartfelt testimonies from those who had the privilege to be part of the great man’s world.

John Candy: I Like Me begins and ends with eulogies, one from his The Great Outdoors co-star Dan Aykroyd, the other from Candy’s SCTV teammate and fellow Torontonian Catherine O’Hara. Between these touching tributes are candid interviews with the likes of Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and Macaulay Culkin, who still remembers how kind Candy was to him as a child actor during production on Uncle Buck. It’s a delight to revisit Candy’s endlessly hilarious body of work, from the ingenious array of characters he created for SCTV to his big-screen roles in Splash, Spaceballs, Home Alone, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles — the John Hughes film from which I Like Me takes its title.

Hanks’ buoyant portrait pays tribute to Candy’s genius as a thespian, improvisor, and creator, taking care to highlight the tenderness and depth found in quieter performances. Through insight from Candy’s family members, I Like Me also draws attention to fatphobia and anxiety disorder, issues that shadowed Candy’s life and career. Candy died three decades ago, but his legacy endures in the hearts and funny bones of millions. I Like Me is a worthy tribute that will provoke tears of joy, loss, and blissful laughter.

Content advisory: drug use, coarse language, comedic violence, mature themes