Explores the life and legacy of the iconic funnyman John Candy, who died of a heart attack in 1994, at the age of 43.
Chuck says:
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more laudatory documentary than Colin Hanks’ “John Candy: I Like Me,” a well-meaning, at times fawning, examination of the late comedian. Utilizing the usual tools in the documentarian’s toolbox, the director does a fine job of not simply recounting his subject’s life but also, through anecdotes provided by his family, painting a portrait of the man many of his fans never really knew. The result is a tribute that attempts to explain just what made Candy tick, the revelations it contains only increasing our admiration for him. And while there are some surprises regarding Candy, none of them are salacious. By all accounts, the man was a saint among men, always leading with kindness, his acts of generosity never self-serving.
Hanks opens the film with footage of Candy’s 1994 funeral, a massively attended, somber affair, replete with family members, celebrities, fans, and hangers-on. With Dan Ackroyd’s heartfelt eulogy playing beneath it, a montage of pictures and film footage plays, showing us the actor’s development over his 44 years, citing his personal and professional triumphs. Of course, this summing-up does not tell the whole story, and Hanks sets out to fill in the gaps, a la “Citizen Kane,” by using a variety of eyewitnesses to give us a more complete account of his subject.
It wouldn’t be fair to criticize the filmmaker for taking such a standard approach, yet once we come to know Candy more intimately, there’s a sense he deserves something more. Orphaned when his father died on his 5th birthday, which is Halloween no less, Candy was said to have assumed the role of caretaker at an early age. Apparently, this was a mantle he placed upon himself his entire life. One anecdote after another from co-workers and associates recount his acts of kindness and his constant concern for others. While most actors hardly pay attention to those working behind-the-camera on their films, Candy would often inquire how they were and make sure their working conditions were more than adequate. This extended to his co-stars as well, Macauley Culkin recounting how he tried to look out for him when it was obvious his father wasn’t.
His account of his experiences with the actor is typical. Steve Martin, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Murray, Conan O’Brien, and many others relate stories of a similar nature, each recounting an act of kindness or consideration Candy was responsible for. Acting in this manner seemed to be second nature for him.
However, when we hear from Candy’s wife, Rosemary, and his children, Chris and Jennifer, we’re privy to a far more personal portrait that sheds significant light on what motivated him and his later years. Self-esteem issues regarding his appearance, his refusal to see a doctor, though his health was worsening, and the specter of his father’s early death at the age of 36, which haunted the actor, all seemed to contribute to a late-life flurry of activity as well as his own early demise at 43.
Though it becomes repetitive, “Me” ultimately proves to be a worthy testament to a well-loved man as well as an, at times, revelatory examination of his career. Obviously, Candy was a man who cared for others more than he cared for himself. The fact that he seldom showed himself the same kindness and concern he displayed for friends as well as strangers, is a profound tragedy, as the world is in dire need of more spirits such as his.
3 Stars
