“John Candy: I Like Me” Trailer

The trailer for the documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” has been released, highlighting the life of the iconic comedian John Candy, directed by Colin Hanks.

When people think of John Candy, they often picture him as the lovable “Uncle Buck”—a character with questionable decisions but an incredibly kind heart. This reminds me of my late Uncle Bruce, whom we fondly called “Buck,” and who was quite similar to that character in many ways.

That’s the magic of John Candy. He portrayed an everyman who resonated deeply with audiences. His life and influence are explored in the new Prime Video documentary “John Candy: I Like Me.”

The film opens on an emotionally intense note, starting with footage from Candy’s memorial service in March 1994. Dan Aykroyd’s heartfelt eulogy is interwoven with clips from Candy’s extensive filmography, as well as personal photos and video snippets. Aykroyd praised Candy, and the film reinforces that sentiment beautifully.

Candy’s journey is illustrated through memories shared by his former colleagues at Toronto’s Second City, including luminaries like Aykroyd, Martin Short, and Eugene Levy. His co-stars, such as Tom Hanks and Macaulay Culkin, reminisced about their experiences with him, providing delightful behind-the-scenes stories while celebrating his immense talent and generosity.

Bill Murray humorously noted, “I wish I could have said worse things about him,” highlighting the warm regard in which Candy was held.

For those who might not know, John Candy faced profound personal struggles, including the trauma of losing his father on his fifth birthday. This experience haunted him throughout his life and contributed to ongoing anxiety about mortality that shadowed him until his untimely passing at 43. Despite his battles, friends remember that Candy always prioritized their needs above his own, even as he dealt with his challenges through excessive eating, drinking, and smoking.

Culkin shared insights about Candy’s “paternal” nature on the “Uncle Buck” set, reflecting on how Candy expressed concern for him and other younger co-stars during their time together. “I think John looked a little sideways, like, ‘Are you OK over there?'” said Culkin, affirming Candy’s caring character and emphasizing its rarity in the industry.

“I wish I had more of that in my life,” he added, exposing a sense of nostalgia for genuine kindness that he felt from Candy.

Inspired by his legacy, the documentary, directed by Colin Hanks, sees Cathy, Candy’s widow, and their children, Jennifer and Chris, contributing their perspectives as co-executive producers. They share how Candy maintained his commitment as a loving husband and father amid his rise to fame. Hanks approaches the story with sensitivity, balancing discussions around Candy’s insecurities and struggles with his gift for making people laugh. Archived interviews with Candy reveal his vulnerability, particularly when he addressed uncomfortable topics about his weight—reminding us that he was, at heart, a deeply relatable human being.

“John Candy: I Like Me” serves as a poignant homage to a one-of-a-kind talent taken from us too early. This documentary is sure to deepen the love of longtime fans and hopefully encourage new audiences to explore his classic films.

As for me, I’m ready to start a John Candy film marathon.

★★★ 1/2 — Stream Now

“John Candy: I Like Me” is rated PG-13 for smoking, some strong language, drug references, and suggestive content. Its runtime is 1 hour 53 minutes, now available on Prime Video.