most people have one “uncle buck“ In their life – an interesting person who made questionable life choices but had the purest heart. My late Uncle Bruce, whom we affectionately called “Buck” because he was in many ways the living embodiment of the 1989 John Hughes creation.

That’s the power of John Candy – his performance resonates with the audience even across the screen. His life is re-examined in a new life High quality video Documentary “John Candy: I ​​Like Me.”

The opening minutes are the most exciting. The film begins at the end of Candy’s life in March 1994, showing footage from his memorial service. Moments later, we hear words from Dan Aykroyd’s moving eulogy alongside images of the actors. stacked film works, as well as personal photos and family video clips. Aykroyd called Candy “great” — a description the movie proves to be true.

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Prime Video’s new documentary John Candy: I ​​Like Me takes a fresh look at the life of John Candy. (Patti Gower/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Candy’s entire career is documented by colleagues from his time at Second City Toronto, such as Aykroyd, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Andrea Martin, Robin Duke and Dave Thomas. Joining them are some of Candy’s most memorable costars, like Tom Hanks (“Splash”), Steve Martin (“Planes, Trains and Automobiles”), Bill Murray (“Stripes”) and Macaulay Culkin (“Uncle Buck”), as well as other comedic talents like Conan O’Brien and Mel Brooks, who directed Candy in “Spaceballs.” They provide entertaining behind-the-scenes anecdotes on various projects they worked with Candy on, while celebrating his talent and enthusiasm.

“I wish I could say more bad things about him,” Murray jokes early in the film.

Those unfamiliar with Candy’s biography will learn that his father died suddenly on his fifth birthday when he was only 35, a loss that plunged Candy into a chronic state of anxiety. fear of one’s own death before his death at the age of 43. Although he took little care of himself as he hid his pain by eating and smoking, his friends and loved ones said he always prioritized them.

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Young John Candy with his brother and father who died at the age of 35 on John Candy’s 5th birthday.

An example of this is Culkin, who on the set of “Uncle Buck” preached about Candy’s “fatherly” instincts, saying that his father was “already a monster” even before the fame and money came in from “Home Alone.”

“I think John, his eyes were kind of sideways – like, ‘Is everything okay over there? How are you doing? Good day? Like, is everything okay? Is everything okay at home? Okay,'” Culkin says. “It’s a testament to the kind of person he is. I think he’s just taking care of this kid, and I appreciate that because that doesn’t happen very often. It actually happens less and less as time goes on.

“I wish there were more things like this in my life. It’s important to remember that. I remember John not caring about many people,” he added.

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Macaulay Culkin praised Candy’s “fatherly” instincts in the Prime Video documentary. (Getty Images)

“I Like Me” is a family affair. Candy’s widow, Rose, and their children, Jennifer and Chris – both credited as co-executive producers – demonstrated his dedication as a husband and father even as his fame soared. Colin Hanks, son of Candy’s “Splash” co-star, directed the film, with Ryan Reynolds also serving as producer.

In the director’s chair, Hanks tenderly handles Candy’s story, weaving in a discussion of the actor’s insecurities and struggles with his weight—”the industry wanted him to be great,” Ross notes—despite his earnest efforts to live a healthier life—with footage that showcases his unparalleled ability to make people laugh. We also get to hear Candy’s own words, as archives of his past interviews are scattered throughout the film. Many spoke of how much his family meant to him, and some showed his vulnerabilities, such as when he faced disturbing questions about his size. It’s subtle, but the pain is there. He is human after all.

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John Candy’s children say that even as his stardom began to take off, he always put family first. (Provided by Amazon Content Services LLC Prime)

judgment:

John Candy: I ​​Like Me is a bittersweet tribute to a lovely once-in-a-lifetime talent who was tragically taken from us far too soon. A walk down memory lane will only make Candy’s fans love him even more and hopefully inspire new fans to revisit the classic.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to start a candy marathon.

★★★ ½ — Stream Now

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“John Candy: I ​​Like Me” is rated PG-13 for smoking, some strong language, drug content and suggestive content. Running time: 1 hour and 53 minutes. Now streaming on Prime Video.