John Candy: I Like Me — Colin Hanks’s Love Letter to a Comedy Legend
Bill Murray opens the documentary John Candy: I Like Me with a wry observation:
“That’s the problem when you talk about John: People don’t really have a lot of negative things to say about him. And I hope what you’re producing here turns up some people who’ve got some dirt on him.”
— Bill Murray
The comment sets a playful tone, hinting that the film might explore hidden sides of John Candy. Instead, the 113-minute documentary offers a deeply affectionate portrait of the beloved comedian, emphasizing warmth and humanity over scandal.
Available on Prime Video, the documentary was made with the participation of Candy’s family. His children Chris and Jennifer, and his widow Rosemary, worked as co-executive producers, sharing personal interviews, home videos, and unseen photographs that bring the story closer to the heart.
Actor and Candy admirer Ryan Reynolds produced the project, while director Colin Hanks — who knew Candy as a child — guided it with evident admiration. Hanks previously directed the acclaimed Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (2017), and his sensitivity toward his subject gives this new film its emotional depth.
Author’s Summary
Colin Hanks’s documentary reveals the warmth, humor, and enduring spirit of John Candy through intimate family memories and heartfelt reflections.