John Candy: I Like Me

John Candy was one of the most relatable, kind and loved comedic actors of the past 50 years. All those traits shine brightly in the new documentary, JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME on Prime.

In 1994, Candy died of a heart attack at the age of 43. Belushi and Farley battled the demons of addiction to their end and the film reveals that Candy certainly faced his challenges, but led a more peaceful life.

I'm a Candy fan and loved that the doc goes far back, with great video of Candy's earliest days in high school. Dabbling with acting and then improv, Candy emerges as a quick witted comedian.

What a cast of characters around him in his early days! Director Colin Hanks (yes, that Colin Hanks) has assembled a Who's Who of modern comedy, all of them Candy's co-stars.

Bill Murray is hilarious and touching sharing his lifelong friendship with Candy that started on "Stripes". He tells a story about one beloved scene and how much Candy hated filming it that surprised me. It highlights a side of Candy that kind of breaks your heart.

Steve Martin shares superb stories of making "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" with Candy, along with generous clips of that holiday classic.

Mel Brooks is hilarious sharing tales of "Spaceballs", as is Tom Hanks recounting how much he loved making "Splash"with Candy. Hanks conveys so much warmth in those memories, a trait that shines through in so many new interviews with Martin Short, Chris Columbus (Uncle Buck) and Dan Aykroyd.

I forgot that Candy was in so many of my favorite films of the late 70's and 80's like "1941", 'The Blues Brothers" and "Heavy Metal".

His early SCTV days are fondly recalled by that amazing cast, including Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas and the legendary Andrea Martin.

The precursor of SNL, SCTV was pure Canadian brilliance that kicked off so many careers.

The old clips with Gilda Radner and team are so enjoyable. What amazing memories they bring back.

The film feels complete, detailing the entire arc of ups & downs of Candy's career, his growing and tight knit home life, his foray into owning a hockey team and struggles with his weight.

All of us remember the caring warmth that Candy exuded on screen in the deeply dramatic moments that he brought to life when the laughs died down. Planes, Trains is hilarious, but one of the most memorable moments is his character Dale Griffith revealing that he has no home, a lonely widower. The finale of that film is pure heart, rewarding us every Thanksgiving week in our annual viewing. The lump in our throat never fades, even after 25+ viewings.

That was his gift. Macaulay Culkin shares deeply personal memories about Candy on the set of "Uncle Buck", keeping a wary eye on McCauley's Dad long before it became fashionable.

A people pleaser in the user atmosphere of Hollywood, you see Candy being swallowed up. His relationship with his Father is fascinating and always present.

A documentary as warm and inviting as the man himself, JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME is revealing, sad, hilarious and enjoyable. If you're like me, you'll find yourself really missing Candy as the credits fade.

Cynthia Erivo's beautiful rendition of "Everytime You Go Away" lands perfectly.

We like you too, John! You are missed, but what a kind legacy you've left behind.

I LIKE ME gets an appreciative B.