The 50th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) kicked off its milestone edition with the world premiere of “John Candy: I Like Me,” a documentary dedicated to the life and career of the beloved Canadian funnyman. The opening night gala was steeped in Canadian pride, a notable departure from previous years, celebrating John Candy as a local hero who grew up in Toronto before achieving international stardom. The documentary, produced by fellow Canadian Ryan Reynolds, is set for release on Amazon on October 10.

Ryan Reynolds, who hails from Vancouver, spoke at the premiere about his early exposure to Candy’s work through SCTV and emphasized Candy’s fearless approach to acting. Reynolds reflected on a society where perfectionism often hinders experimentation, contrasting it with Candy’s willingness to embrace vulnerability and have fun without fear of consequence. Joining Reynolds on stage were the film’s director, Colin Hanks—whose father, Tom Hanks, starred with Candy in “Splash”—and Candy’s two children, Jennifer and Christopher.

Photo Credit: CBC

John Candy’s illustrious career, following his breakout on SCTV, saw him become one of his generation’s most in-demand comedy stars. He was celebrated for iconic roles in films such as “Stripes,” “Splash,” “Spaceballs,” “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Uncle Buck,” and “Cool Runnings.” Colleagues consistently describe him as a born people-pleaser, a gifted improv comic with a signature giggle, and possessing showbiz’s most contagious smile, making him a secret weapon in nearly 40 features.John Hughes, who wrote or directed seven of Candy’s films, particularly understood his avuncular appeal, most notably in “Uncle Buck” and the acclaimed “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”

The documentary delves into Candy’s personal life, revealing that his father’s death from a heart attack at age 35 on John’s fifth birthday profoundly shaped him, instilling a lifelong fear of also dying young—a premonition tragically fulfilled when Candy passed away at 43 in 1994. The film also touches on his crippling self-doubt, which began to emerge around 1991.

Photo Credit: People.com

Despite these personal struggles, Candy was renowned for his immense generosity and vulnerability. Anecdotes abound, such as his donation to a local children's hospital while filming “Wagons East” and his habit of looking out for co-stars like Macaulay Culkin. “John Candy: I Like Me” features an impressive roster of A-list contributors, including Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Macaulay Culkin, Dan Aykroyd, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, and Mel Brooks, all sharing fond remembrances.