A documentary by Colin Hanks about a beloved actor is here. John Candy was a man who cared greatly about others. In this film, the story of his life is seen through the eyes of many. John Candy: I Like Me is not only engaging, but also a reminder of what good can come when always striving to stay positive. This is a vivid portrait of success that explores Candy’s trials and errors. John Candy: I Like Me made my heart ache because of the honest and in-depth exploration of his life.

The film focuses on John Candy and includes interviews with Tom Hanks, Bill Murray, Martin Short, Steve Martin, and many more. A lot of the content talks about his time at Second City in Chicago and his days in Toronto, his hometown. There is a lot to know about John Candy.  The weight of professional success greatly impacted John, but it was also a lot for him as well. John Candy: I Like Me paints the portrait that being a winner does not always result in the positive picture everyone imagines.

Many of the discussions in the film go back to John’s son, Chris Candy. Chris discusses how he has coped with his father’s death, but also what his father was like as a human-being. While sharing many inspirational stories, he also elaborates on where he feels things went wrong. The celebrities interviewed for the documentary do so as well, especially the ones he was closest to.  Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray displayed lots of concerns. The many pounds John gained were influencing his impact, but his fame already so established that his thinking was altered. Deep-down, however, his caring heart was what made him special.

Audiences will feel they are in the mind of Candy as his world is revisited. From the many moments of laughter in his classics ranging from Home Alone to Uncle Buck to The Great Outdoors, and so many more. John Candy: I Like Me is a one-of-a-kind gem which captures the essence of human kindness and made this documentary hit home for me. There is a lot to think about when it comes to the many hurdles that John faced, but still, he was there for so many.

The upbeat energy in the Chicago Theatre where I attended this screening was fueled by producer Ryan Reynolds, Chris Candy, and Jim Belushi. It was the ultimate discussion of legends that made this documentary come to life. Each of them shared their own unique perspective on John’s personality which led to a joyful evening. The heartfelt energy flowed during and after the movie which made it a truly magical night.

There is a part of the documentary in which they interview Macaulay Culkin. What I appreciated is how Macaulay elaborated on the fact that he was not close to his father growing up. However, during Home Alone, John was thoughtful enough to check in regularly on Macaulay. Being there for someone is an important way that John demonstrated his kind nature. John Candy: I Like Me is full of positive memories messages. Although it doesn’t sugarcoat the hardships he faced, it shines with John’s greatest moments. Four out of four stars.