When I first learned what seems like eons ago that Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks were putting together a documentary about John Candy, my first thoughts were “about time” and “can hardly wait”. When the release date was learned, I put it on my calendar. October 10. Since then I have viewed this well-portrayed and moving documentary three times. That’s a lot of laughing and crying.

The beauty behind this documentary is that it takes the viewer through John’s life in an entertaining fashion, as we get to hear from his numerous loved ones, friends and peers about their experiences with John, as well as view clips from the many movies and TV shows he performed in.

Many things I was already aware of, such as Candy’s love of football, his football injury and his part ownership in the Argonauts. I knew of his work with John Hughes but what I didn’t know was the extent of his friendship with the famous director. It also doesn’t surprise me that he looked out for Macaulay Culkin and that he was known as Johnny Toronto (and to think I only knew of him as Johnny LaRue).

The closing of the documentary doesn’t shock me either when Eugene Levy reveals that while riding in the car during John’s funeral down the 405 that there was no traffic. And that was because the authorities had shut down the 405 for the funeral procession. Something that had only been done for the Pope and a President.

The documentary creators got the title right as well. “I like me” is a line from “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”. It’s something John’s character Del Griffith says after he’s been berated by Steve Martin’s character Neal Page. Although I’m sure John had his demons, as we all do, he really did like himself. As did just about anyone else he encountered in his life.

John Candy was larger than life in all he did. Whether it be with his family or friends or making people laugh with a film. He was truly genuine.

I always say when an artist passes away, be it an actor, musician, dancer, painter, writer, etc., they leave behind a myriad of memories in the form of their art for future generations to enjoy. John Candy was no exception to this fact.