The THC Son and I recently watched I Like Me, the documentary on the life of John Candy. A funny and poignant reflection on a man who died at such a young age - 43. Full of commentary by his fellow comedians and actors, Steve Martin, Eugene Levy, Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Mel Brooks among them. McCauley Caulkin, who was in Uncle Buck with Candy, speaks very perceptively about Candy and Hollywood. Also featured is Catherine O'Hara, whose wonderful eulogy at Candy's funeral is shown. We watched I Like Me a couple of hours after hearing of O'Hara's passing.
I'd not been aware of Candy's father passing of a heart attack at the age of 35, nor of the crippling anxiety he experienced in the three years before his death in 1994. Interviews with his wife, son, and daughter explore that side of his life.
Watching the comedy and film clips reminds the viewer of not just how fine a comedian Candy was but how good he could be as a dramatic actor. The film's title is taken from one of his greatest dramatic scenes in Trains, Planes, and Automobiles.
