Chris Candy, the son of beloved comedian John Candy, recently expressed his emotional response to the new documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” at a promotional event. He described it as “heart-wrenching” to witness archival interviews where journalists openly ridiculed his father’s weight. “I was kind of shocked to see how interviewers treat him,” Chris remarked. “That was just kind of heart-wrenching. I also could see how he got more frustrated and he found ways to deal with that.”
Throughout the creation of the documentary, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before being released for streaming on Amazon Prime Video on October 10, Chris learned about the deep-seated anxieties his father faced, particularly concerning eating in public due to paparazzi scrutiny. “He developed a poor eating habit where he’d be like, ‘Alright, well I’m not going to eat all day. I’m going to eat at night,’” Chris shared.
The documentary, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, highlights the uncomfortable reality of how John Candy was treated during press engagements. Hanks noted that many of the comments made by journalists were “disgusting” and would be deemed unacceptable in today’s media landscape. “It’s tough to see how uncomfortable John was in almost every clip. And he had good reason, because some of the things that people said were disgusting,” Hanks explained.
Ryan Reynolds recounted a personal interaction with one of the journalists who insulted Candy during an interview. He reached out to the journalist after viewing the footage, stating, “I wasn’t trying to shame him or teach him a lesson… We had such a thoughtful conversation about it.” This highlights a broader context of accountability and reflection in media practices.
“John Candy: I Like Me” features interviews with several of Candy’s former co-stars, including Eugene Levy, Martin Short, and Catherine O’Hara, offering an intimate look into the life of the comedic icon. As audiences engage with this documentary, it serves as a reminder of the importance of kindness and respect in all interactions, particularly with individuals in the public eye. The film not only honors Candy’s legacy but also sparks necessary conversations about body image and the responsibility of media professionals.