John Candy began his career on the sketch comedy series Second City Television before becoming one of the most popular and beloved stars of comedy films until his death of a heart attack in 1994.[1] The film relies primarily on rare and never-before-seen archive footage, outtakes, private home video, audio commentary and interviews provided by friends and family.[2]
The world premiere of John Candy: I Like Me took place at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 4, 2025, at the Roy Thomson Hall, including a live Q&A session with the film's director, producer and Candy's children Jennifer and Christopher Candy after the screening.[6] Canadian prime minister Mark Carney attended the premiere, spoke to the audience, and paid tribute to Candy.[7] Earlier the same day, an official trailer was released by Amazon Prime Video.[8]
Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter rated the film positively, calling it a "big-hearted documentary that's as embracing and generous of spirit as the man himself."[11] Tim Grierson of Screen International gave a mixed review, calling the film "an appealing, ultimately melancholy tribute to the late Canadian comic," adding, "I Like Me contains interviews with such comedy luminaries as Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Bill Murray and Catherine O'Hara, who speak with endless affection about the late star of hits like Splash and Planes, Trains & Automobiles." He concludes, "Although a somewhat conventional portrait, the film works best as a lament for a talented actor who struggled to reach his full potential before passing away far too young."[12] Jason Bailey of RogerEbert.com was more critical, giving 2.5 out of 4 stars, describing some of the structuring choices as "downright baffling" and continuing, "little to no interest is paid to Candy's considerable growth as an actor over the course of his career—particularly in the last few years of his life." However, he praises the archive material, writing, "We're treated to copious home videos, rare outtakes from his movies and footage from his stage performances, family photos, the works."[13]
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