“That’s the problem when you talk about John: People don’t really have a lot of negative things to say about him,” Bill Murray remarks in the opening scene of John Candy: I Like Me, the new documentary about the beloved late actor and comedian.
“That’s the problem when you talk about John: People don’t really have a lot of negative things to say about him,” Bill Murray says.
Murray’s tongue-in-cheek comment might lead viewers to expect the filmmakers to uncover some darker aspects of Candy’s life. Instead, the film offers a heartfelt glimpse into the life of a charismatic star who shone brightly but briefly, delivering a tender portrayal that evokes more emotion than laughter.
I Like Me, available on Prime Video, is a family-approved documentary. Candy’s two adult children, Chris and Jennifer, along with his widow Rosemary, serve as co-executive producers, share interviews, and provide intimate home videos and numerous photos from Candy’s early years.
The documentary was produced by Candy fan Ryan Reynolds and directed by Colin Hanks, who previously directed the acclaimed Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (2017). Hanks, who knew Candy as a child, infuses the film with genuine warmth and affection for its subject.
This film is less about revealing flaws and more about celebrating the enduring charm and impact of John Candy.
Author’s Summary: Colin Hanks’s John Candy: I Like Me is a loving and intimate portrait of the late comedian, highlighting his warmth and legacy more than controversy.