Directed by Colin Hanks, John Candy: I Like Me is a beautiful tribute to the late comedian and actor. Made decades after his sad passing, the documentary underscores how great a human being he was, before anything else. Which naturally brings us to this question: Will there be a second part?
Unfortunately, there has been no such report that Colin or Amazon MGM would be making a sequel. Focusing on John Candy’s personal life and professional highlights, fans and critics feel it is an incomplete reflection of the legend, one that fails to ponder upon his great works, his acting, his methodology, his psyche, and more.
John Candy: I Like Me Feels Like an Incomplete Portrayal of the Legend
John Candy: I Like Me focuses on Candy’s meteoric rise and personal struggles, leaving audiences both inspired and yearning for more, particularly regarding the actor’s family life and enduring legacy. Though it beautifully celebrates the late Canadian comedian’s life through its nostalgic feel and archival footage, it remains incomplete.
John Candy wasn’t just funny; he was fundamentally kind. The documentary highlights his magnetic presence in classics like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, and Cool Runnings
His children, Jennifer and Christopher Candy, recall his joy for the simple things, making breakfast, laughing in the kitchen, and spending quiet moments away from Hollywood. These moments tenderly capture his heart, but it would have been nice to see how he was on film sets, how he grew over the years, and how the tragedies in his life affected his art.
John Candy: I Like Me mainly talks about how great a person he was, but the lack of focus on his acting makes it an incomplete tribute to his legacy. If a sequel were to happen, it could possibly explore more about this aspect of his life and the impact he continues to have on comedians and filmmakers today.
Colin Hanks Didn’t Intend John Candy: I Like Me To Be a Wikipedia Entry
Colin Hanks is no stranger to John Candy. Having grown up in the industry, he has met Candy and even attended the same college as his kids (albeit at different times). Having felt his kindness first, the filmmaker wanted the documentary to be more than just an account of his life.
Hanks did not just want to feature some of his best works but also depict the nuance and depth of some of his other works. Naming Who’s Harry Crumb as his favorite Candy movie, he even screen-captured particular moments to have them featured in the documentary film.
You can make a documentary just based on his career and his talent, and it would be worthwhile, but I also don’t just want to make a Wikipedia entry.
Hanks remarked in an interview with The Guardian. Thus, the movie is more than just a celebration of his public persona; it features rare, never-before-seen video footage and rare TV interviews, his mental health struggles, and anxiety issues that plagued him.
The film doesn’t just dwell on tragedy but instead celebrates the laughter, generosity, and humility that defined Candy’s life. Thus, even though it might feel incomplete, in many ways the documentary serves as an emotional bookend to a legacy that still feels alive today.
While a sequel doesn’t seem to be planned, if it does happen, it would be great to see more about John Candy’s life, career, and art.
Well, what do you think about the documentary? Is it as worthy a watch as its subject, or could it have been better?
John Candy: I Like Me is available for streaming on Prime Video.
