Tiff 50 - Opening the Fest with John Candy: I like me

 

              JOHN CANDY: I Like Me

                                                                                    Photo credit: Courtesy of the Candy Family Estate

JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME

(Amazon MGM Studios)

Section: Gala Presentations 

Directed by: Colin Hanks

Produced by: Colin Hanks, Sean Stuart, Glen Zipper, Ryan Reynolds, George Dewey, Johnny Pariseau, Shane Reid

Genre: Documentary

Screening time: 113m

 

TIFF 50 Day 1 started off Big Time.  I finished my shift about 7pm at the Princess of Wales theatre and then I was trying to figure out if should try and rush the John Candy: I Like Me documentary because I wasn't able to get a ticket.  Before that I got sidetracked by the Ferrero activation.  I waited in line for a long time.  Someone passed out little samples and I decided to give up and go check out the rush line but instead of walking on King I walked around the back through David Pecaut square and to Wellington and around so I could see the finished red carpet set up since I shot the building of it.  I wasn't really thinking I would see anything but I got luck on my timing when Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks drove up the carpet in this green monster smoking away.  They got out and the crowd went crazy.  I was able to snap some pics and video.  This wasn't planned.  This goes with my tip on leave room for the unexpected happenings.

Photo Credit: Linda Matarasso

I went around to Wellington and stopped and ran into a friend and while talking to her some Military dressed men popped out of a car in the parking lot of Roy Thompson Hall.  I thought that was odd considering my 20 years being there.

So Now I think it may have had something to do with the fact that Prime Minister Mark Carney was in the building to do the introduction of the film and to congratulate Tiff on 50 years.

After Mark Carney's 5-minute hilarious speech, Cameron Bailey brought out former TIFF Execs before introducing Director Colin Hanks and Producer Ryan Reynolds.  You know it's a big night when the Prime Minister and the unofficial Ambassador of Canada and the son of the Father of Hollywood show up.

Of course, Ryan Reynolds' speech was his usual sarcastic quick wit, and Colin's was more heartfelt.

Now to the film.  This was a deep dive into the Canadian roots of comedy with then-working actors who became family.  Little Second City and SCTV grew to become comedians who became big Hollywood actors.  

John Candy knew how to foster strong relationships.  He was a man with deep trauma that he kept inside, but used the pain to treat everyone with empathy and love and channel the pain into his work.

John Candy was born on Halloween in Newmarket.  At 5 years old, his father passed away from a heart attack, which left an indelible mark on his life.  He went through numerous tragedies, and his coping mechanism was food, drink, and smoking.  His brother also had a heart attack and lived, but that didn't stop Candy from living a lifestyle that was killing him.

I think what made John Candy great was his pain because it gave him the ability to understand that everyone is going through something, and he tried to connect with everyone, and the "nice Canadian" stereotype really applied to him.  There was a joke that he was Mr. Toronto, and looking back, you can really see why the moniker fit.

The interview with Bill Murray is priceless.  Bill Murray is a unique individual, and they had a great friendship.

Other notable participants in the film were Steve Martin, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Tom Hanks, Conan O'Brien, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, and John's son and daughter, and wife.

It was so great seeing all the old footage of his work and also the family photos, even though John passed when his kids were fairly young, they knew him but got to know the man better through the cooperation of the making of this documentary. 

The thing I found most interesting was the fat-shaming John endured from the media.  You think men are untouchable when it comes to body image, but this really shows how it can affect someone's self-esteem.  John had a lot of insecurity and discussed how he was treated differently because of his weight.  He was a good-looking man with a big heart, but people who didn't know him couldn't get past his large frame and constantly pointed it out. I think a lot of people will connect with him, and as said in the film, he is an everyman.

He represented Canada well, and I think this film was a good choice for the Opening Night of TIFF's 50th year.  Bridging Canada with America and connecting to the World.

There was a Q&A after the film with Colin and Ryan, and they also brought out John's son and daughter.  Unfortunately, my phone died, so I don't have photos of them.

This film was funny, heartfelt, historical, Canadian, and will connect with anyone who loves film.

Festival Screenings: 

Thursday, September 11, 9:00PM - Public Screening 3 (Scotiabank 1)

Friday, September 12, 9:00AM - Public Screening 4 (Scotiabank 1)

Saturday, September 13, 9:00AM - Public Screening 5 (Scotiabank 11)

Sunday, September 14, 9:25AM - Public Screening 6 (Scotiabank 14)

Amazon Prime Release date: Oct. 10, 2025