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.
Two significant things have happened regarding the movie “Home Alone” in 2023. First, the star of the film, Macaulay Culkin, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Secondly, the film has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Not bad for a movie that almost was never made.
If you’ve never seen the movie, it’s a 1990 John Hughes comedy (so you know it takes place in Illinois, which it does) and is directed by Chris Columbus. It stars the aforementioned Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old who gets left behind at home when his family leaves for holiday in Paris. Also starring are Catherine O’Hara and John Heard, as parents Kate and Peter and Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as Harry and Marv, a/k/a The Wet Bandits.
In the first scene we note a police officer in the foyer of the McCallister house and I’ve always wondered who let him in. It turns out to be Harry in disguise, trying to fish information out of anyone about what the family is doing over the holidays. Once he learns from Peter that they’re leaving for Paris, he’s gleefully satisfied. For obvious reasons.
Following a ruckus over pizza the night before the big trip, Kevin is sent to sleep in the attic where he ends up getting forgotten during the chaotic rush by the family to get out of the house the following morning to get to the airport for their flight to Paris. The power went out the night before so everything’s fucked up and they’ve all overslept. Of course they’re going to forget the kid in the attic, right? Right.
So Kevin is left to fend for himself at home. Good thing he’s a mature and clever 8-year-old because I know most kids that age would’ve had the house burned down before the folks land in France. Also, good thing he’s mature and clever because he’s got two neighborhood crooks to worry about.
Meanwhile, the family hasn’t even landed yet and suddenly it dawns on Mom that, shit, we left Kevin at home! Once they land they frantically call neighbors and the police and it’s just hitting me right now. Why the hell didn’t they try to call Kevin directly? Because I don’t remember them doing that. Did they think he wouldn’t answer the phone? Although the power guy did tell them that the phone lines were down before they left and it would take a while to get them back up. However, that doesn’t explain them being able to call their neighbors. And this was well before cell phones. Oh well, it’s not important.
So Harry and Marv are having a field day in the neighborhood, hitting all the empty houses. But they really want the McCallister house. And they soon discover that not everyone is gone from that house. Because Kevin’s having a party with Michael Jordan and Brenda Lee.
Kevin goes on a shopping trip into town, gets frightened by his neighbor “Old Man” Marley and accidently steals a toothbrush. Upon returning home, he runs into Harry and Marv and becomes suspicious. He learns of their plan to attack his home and Kevin puts his own plan into place to protect it.
The night of the big attack, Kevin goes to church where he runs into Marley who is there to see his granddaughter sing in the choir. Because he can’t see her any other time of the year due to a falling out with his son. The two talk and become friends. Good thing because Marley is going to be a big part in saving Kevin.
But first Kevin has to take on the bad guys. And he does. With paint cans, transformers, feathers, a blowtorch, and even a tarantula. He escapes them, only to be caught by them at a neighbor’s house. Just when you think it’s the end for him, Marley comes in and saves the day.
Back in Paris Kate has managed to get a flight back to America, albeit not Illinois. No, she’ll have to hook up with Gus Polinski, “Polka King of the Midwest” (John Candy) and his Kenosha Kickers, who will manage to get her from Scranton to Illinois and home to Kevin. And of course, just as she gets home, here comes the rest of the family. And I have to add a note about Candy’s part here because he’s always been one of my favorite actors: Candy was only available for one day of filming, which took 23 hours to do. As he was doing it as a favor to Hughes, he was only paid $414. In return he was allowed to improvise all his lines.
If you are one of the very few who have yet to ever see this movie, make it a point to do so some time in your life. Between the story and the music by John Williams, it will certainly put you in the spirit of Christmas.
NOTE: “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York” I feel is just as good and is also worthy of a watch.
michellemchatton.com 
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