Joey Magidson
John Candy is rightly beloved. A legendary comic talent, his heart was even bigger than said talent, which is on full display in the documentary John Candy: I Like Me. To have him taken from us so soon was truly a tragedy, one that the doc is well aware of and constantly grapples with. At the same time, this is a very entertaining and often really funny movie, just like he would have hoped for. This is one of the best things I’ve seen so far at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.
John Candy: I Like Me is a beautiful tribute to a great man. Whether you’re a big fan, just know the hits, or even aren’t really aware of his work (which would be insane, but still), the film has something to offer you. As someone who has seen a lot of his resume, though not all (but now am obsessed with his Yellowbelly character…IYKYK), I was often delighted by what the doc opted to include in its various clips.
A celebration of actor and comedian John Candy, we start and finish with the tragedy of his untimely passing. Eulogies from those who knew him paint an emotional picture of someone who did right by all, even if it sometimes came at a cost to himself. Tracing his early days in Canada, family life, and massive success, it all always comes back to how good he way to everyone around him. Even three decades after having had him leave this mortal coil, it’s clear that the impact he had on the world is timeless.
Candy is often allowed to use his own words through myriad interview clips, though an A-list cavalcade of his colleagues, friends, and family is on hand to speak highly of him as well. That group includes, though is hardly limited to, Dan Aykroyd, Mel Brooks, Macaulay Culkin, Tom Hanks, Eugene Levy, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Catherine O’Hara, and Martin Short. They all fondly recall his talents, as well as his kindness, always with a tinge of sadness for having lost him so early and so suddenly
Director Colin Hanks, who obviously observed Candy working with his father, has reverence for the man, but tackles his life in a way that’s hardly fan service. It’s a tribute because the person himself is worthy of having that treatment. There’s a great selection os clips and interviews to move things along, though when Hanks looks for some deep cuts, brilliance emerges, like the aforementioned Yellowbelly sketch from SCTV.
John Candy: I Like Me made me laugh, obviously, but it also made me cry. One of the best documentaries of the year is also not just one of the major highlights of TIFF for me, but also one of my favorite films of 2025 overall. The doc is beautiful, so when it comes your way, you owe it to yourself to see it. The movie is good for your soul.
SCORE: ★★★1/2
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