John Candy by Colin Hanks: I like it explores the private pain and the comic brilliance of a legend

On the screen, John Candy It seemed bigger and bigger than life. It was the adorable uncle in Uncle Buck, the chatterbox he led Steve Martin crazy in Planes, trains and carsAnd even he played racquetball as he snorted Spray.

But behind the laughter there was a man who transported a life of unresolved pain, anxiety and pressure. That hidden side of Candy’s life is the heart of John Candy: I ​​like ita new documentary directed by Colin Hankswhich opened the Toronto International Film Festival. Hanks explains:

“There were real, series and traumatic experiences that formed John and made it who it was. It was an incredible human being and a kind, loving and generous spirit. But all these qualities were facing mechanisms for a huge amount of pain and pain.”

One of Candy’s deepest struggles came from his father’s loss for heart disease at only 4 years. That tragedy persecuted him and left him with a constant awareness of the time to expire. Candy died at 43, just eight years more than his father when he passed.

“This idea of ​​time borrowed combined with the nature of the show business, which is to go, go, go, move, move at the speed of opportunities. Those things have joined to create this perpetual movement of movement for John who made things incredibly frenetic and stressful and added to that general sense of anxiety.”

For Hanks, Candy’s story seemed personal. He too lost a parent at a young age when his mother, Samantha LewesHe died of lung cancer.

“I understand this ticking watch. My mother died at 49 years old. I will do 48 years in November. I always look 49 as an indicator for me in my life. I have no doubt that it was the same way for John.”

Despite the personal battles, Candy has become one of the greatest stars of the comedy of the 80s and early 90s with films such as Strip, Space balls AND Fresh running. But his most natural creative partner was John Hugheswho launched it in six films, including At home alone.

“They were both real and genuine people who have never lost sight of even after they have become famous. In the show sector, you are part of an itinerant circus. Dating many different people and when you find a similar spirit, you cling to that and spend all the time possible.

Candy struggles with the image of the body were another painful reality. Hanks’ documentary does not avoid Way Cruel Way interviewers, they would commemorate its weight directly in the face.

“Look at the interview after the interview and horrible things are said and questions are asked in incredibly insensitive ways. It is difficult to see how uncomfortable John was in almost every clip. And he had good reasons, because some of the things that people said were disgusting and would not have been tolerated today.”

The documentary brings together a power of friends and collaborators of Candy, including Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Bill Murray, Dan AykroydAND Catherine O’Hara. Even thirty years after his death in 1994, their affection for him is sincere and unwavering.

For Hanks, the connection is even more personal. His father, Tom Hankshe worked alongside candies in Spray AND VolunteersAnd the young Colin had his memories of the comedian.

“It is through children’s glasses, because I knew him when I was young, but also as a child he made you feel that your opinions imported, your feelings counted, it mattered.”

John Candy: I ​​like it It doesn’t just concern the career of an icon comedy. It concerns the private man who brought joy to millions while they were quietly his struggles. Thanks to Hanks, fans will be able to see both the laughter and the pain that has modeled one of the most loved artists of his generation.

Source: Variety