Overview

• TIFF’s 50th edition opened Sept. 4 in Toronto with the documentary’s world premiere, featuring a hometown crowd, a surprise appearance by Prime Minister Mark Carney and onstage remarks from producer Ryan Reynolds and director Colin Hanks.
• The film relies on never-before-seen home footage and deep family access, with Candy’s wife Rosemary and children Jennifer and Chris serving as producers.
• An array of colleagues appear on camera, including Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Aykroyd, Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Mel Brooks, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas and Macaulay Culkin.
• Early reviews note a warm, celebratory tone that highlights Candy’s struggles with anxiety, body-related stigma and childhood trauma, with some critics finding the approach overly reverential.
• Prime Video will stream John Candy: I Like Me globally on Oct. 10 following its Toronto launch.