John Candy: I Like Me

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John Candy: I Like Me
Directed by Colin Hanks
Produced byColin Hanks
Johnny Pariseau
George Dewey
Shane Reid
Ryan Reynolds
Sean Stuart
Glen Zipper
Starring John Candy
CinematographyJustin Kane
Edited byShane Reid
Darrin Roberts
Music byTyler Strickland
Production
companies
Distributed by Amazon Prime Video
Release dates
  • September 4, 2025 (2025-09-04)(TIFF)
  • October 10, 2025 (2025-10-10)(United States)
Running time
113 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

John Candy: I Like Me is a 2025 American documentary film directed by Colin Hanks [1] and is a portrait of the Canadian actor John Candy.

Contents

An American venture, the film was produced by Amazon MGM Studios, Company Name and Maximum Effort in association with Zipper Bros Films with Amazon Prime Video serving as distributor. [2] John Candy: I Like Me premiered on September 4, 2025, as the opening film of the Toronto International Film Festival, [3] with its premiere on Amazon Prime on October 10.

Summary

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. [4]

It relies primarily on rare and never-before-seen archive footage, outtakes, private home video, audio commentary and interviews provided by friends and family. [5]

Appearances

Production

The film's production was first announced in 2022 by producer Ryan Reynolds. [6] The film's acquisition for Amazon Prime Video was announced in February 2023. [7]

Release

Reynolds at the premiere in Toronto Ryan Reynolds at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.jpg
Reynolds at the premiere in Toronto

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. [8] Canadian prime minister Mark Carney attended the premiere, spoke to the audience, and paid tribute to Candy. [9] Earlier the same day, an official trailer was released by Amazon Prime Video. [10]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 80% of 20 critics' reviews are positive. [11] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 70 out of 100, based on nine critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [12]

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." [13] Tim Grierson of Screen International gave a mixed review, calling the film "an appealing, ultimately melancholy tribute to the late Canadian comic" and wrote, "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." [14] 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 continues with "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." [15]

References

  1. Etan Vlessing, "Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks’ ‘John Candy: I Like Me’ Doc to Open Toronto Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter , June 4, 2025.
  2. "John Candy: I Like Me" . Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  3. Rebecca Rubin, "Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks’ Documentary ‘John Candy: I Like Me’ to Open Toronto Film Festival’s 50th Edition". Variety , June 4, 2025.
  4. Christina Izzo, "Colin Hanks Talks Knowing John Candy Growing Up Ahead Of His Documentary With Ryan Reynolds: 'Sweet, Sweet Presence'". CinemaBlend , February 1, 2024.
  5. Pond, Steve (September 4, 2025). "'John Candy: I Like Me' Review: Colin Hanks' Affectionate Documentary Opens Toronto Film Festival". The Wrap. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  6. "Ryan Reynolds making John Candy documentary with Colin Hanks and says to 'expect tears'". Virgin Radio UK , October 11, 2022.
  7. Sandy Schaefer, "Amazon Prime Video Picks Up John Candy Documentary From Ryan Reynolds And Colin Hanks". /Film , February 16, 2023.
  8. "Ryan Reynolds Kicks Off TIFF 50th With Docu 'John Candy: I Like Me': "The Greatest, Most Beautiful Man That I Never Met"". Deadline. September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  9. "Prime Minister Mark Carney takes stage at TIFF's opening night, honours John Candy". CTV News . September 4, 2025. Archived from the original on September 5, 2025. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  10. "Trailer: Amazon's "John Candy: I Like Me" Doco". Darkhorizons. September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  11. "John Candy: I Like Me". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  12. "John Candy: I Like Me". Metacritic . Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  13. Rechtshaffen, Michael (September 4, 2025). "'John Candy: I Like Me' Review: Colin Hanks' Doc Portrait Pays Poignant Tribute to a Comic Icon's Life and Legacy" . Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  14. "John Candy: I Like Me' review: Colin Hanks doc pays warm tribute to Canadian comedy legend". Screen International . Media Business Insight. September 5, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  15. Bailey, Jason (September 7, 2025). "John Candy: I Like Me". RogerEbert.com . Retrieved 8 September 2025.