It's certainly admirable to honor a talented and well-liked performer, particularly someone known for their kindness in an industry frequently characterized by self-centeredness, especially given his untimely death at a relatively young age. This is clearly the sincere aim behind director Colin Hanks’ third documentary, which serves as a respectful tribute to the late John Candy (1950-1994). The actor and comedian, born in Canada, achieved significant recognition during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. He began his career with Toronto's Second City comedy troupe, then appeared regularly on the edgy sketch show SCTV, and subsequently played memorable roles in over 30 films. However, as this film demonstrates, Candy was more than just a popular comedian; he was also a writer, director, producer, businessman, a devoted husband, and father. This contributed to his reputation as one of the nicest people in show business—a man with a generous spirit who consistently helped others. These qualities shine through in the numerous interviews featuring those who knew and worked with him, including television colleagues Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Martin Short, and Robin Duke, alongside film peers Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Macaulay Culkin, Tom Hanks, Mel Brooks, Don Lake, and Chris Columbus. Also included are archival recordings of Candy himself, along with perspectives from his wife Rose, his children Chris and Jennifer, and childhood friends and industry colleagues. Clips from his television and film work offer pleasant reminders of his talent as a performer, providing a nostalgic journey down memory lane. Nevertheless, the documentary occasionally feels repetitive, presenting its subject with such unwavering admiration that it seems hesitant to explore a more complete narrative. To its credit, “I Like Me” avoids portraying Candy in an overly idealized light; references are made to struggles with weight, past difficulties, and anxieties about not being good enough, factors which contributed to his tendency to please others while neglecting his own needs. However, the cautious approach taken throughout can feel like the filmmaker is carefully avoiding any potentially negative aspects. Certain facets of Candy's story are given short shrift, such as his impactful dramatic role in a cameo appearance in Oliver Stone’s “JFK” (1991), which may have offered audiences a glimpse of greater acting abilities that were never fully realized (though some clips from this film appear in the documentary, they aren't really discussed). This depth is regrettably missing and would have resulted in a more comprehensive portrait instead of reiterating the same points. It’s unfortunate that such a gifted entertainer and gentle soul was taken so young, and many likely wished they had gotten to know him and his capabilities better. Ultimately, this biography feels like we're only seeing part of the story, leaving us wanting something more that we will unfortunately never experience.

Source on TMDB