Colin Hanks Unpacks the Nuance of Documenting a Beloved Icon: The Case of John Candy
It’s a common refrain: “Someone should make a documentary about X!” But as Colin Hanks compellingly illustrates with his new film, “John Candy: I Like Me,” the path from universal affection to a resonant narrative is far more complex than a simple love for the subject. The challenge isn’t just celebrating a star; it’s excavating the deeper story that truly captivates.
Beyond the Laughs: Finding the Narrative Core
Hanks, embarking on his third documentary, articulates a crucial insight: simply showcasing fond memories and positive anecdotes from friends and family rarely makes for a compelling film. “Everyone universally will say like, ‘insert person’s name,’ and they’ll be like, ‘Oh, someone should make a documentary about him’,” Hanks observes. “And I always go, ‘OK, but what is the film? What is the story that you’re actually really trying to tell? What is it saying?’ Because, otherwise, I don’t want to just do a visual Wikipedia entry.”
This thoughtful approach is precisely what distinguishes “John Candy: I Like Me.” Instead of a linear celebration, Hanks masterfully frames the documentary around John Candy’s profound anxiety about his own mortality. This central theme stems from a deeply personal place: Candy’s father died of a heart attack when he was just five years old, instilling in him a lifelong sense of living on borrowed time. This underlying vulnerability, Hanks suggests, offers a more profound and humanizing lens through which to view the beloved comedian.
The Personal Connection: A Double-Edged Sword
Interestingly, Hanks initially hesitated to take on the project due to his own personal history with Candy. Having met him on the set of his father Tom Hanks’ film “Splash,” the director held cherished memories that he feared might be tarnished by a deep dive into Candy’s life. “Just because, well, I met him, I have these memories of him, I don’t know if I want to dig into that,” Hanks admits. “I’d much rather just have those memories as opposed to spend however many months or years of my life now collecting other people’s memories.”
However, the encouragement from Ryan Reynolds and the fervent desire of Chris and Jen Candy, John’s children, to celebrate their father’s legacy ultimately convinced him. This familial endorsement, coupled with Hanks’ own nascent exploration of personal mortality and childhood trauma, created a powerful impetus. “Once I figured out that John passed from the very thing that his father had passed away from?… I started really taking a deep dive into my life in my late thirties, early forties. And really sifting through, like, childhood trauma, because everyone has it. That was the launching point for me.”
The “Borrowed Time” Narrative: A Deeper Resonance
The profound revelation that Candy died from the same heart condition that claimed his father at a young age significantly shifted the documentary’s trajectory. This shared familial fate, combined with Candy’s own knowledge of his father’s premature death, fueled his persistent feeling of living on borrowed time. This personal struggle, juxtaposed with the public persona of a larger-than-life comedian, provides the documentary with its compelling narrative engine.
Hanks contrasts Candy’s legacy with those of John Belushi and Chris Farley, who, despite also dying young, are often remembered through the narrative of their struggles with substance abuse. Candy’s enduring appeal, Hanks posits, lies in his “everyman qualities.” He was relatable, a figure people felt they knew and wanted to be around. By exploring his internal anxieties, the documentary aims to add a layer of depth to this universally recognized warmth.
Crafting the Cinematic Tapestry
The process of selecting film clips for the documentary was also a critical undertaking. Hanks highlights a particularly poignant scene from “The Great Outdoors” where Candy’s character discusses passing down a family heirloom, revealing a subtle sadness that underscores his unfulfilled paternal wishes. “To be able to then find a moment where I’m watching a scene I’ve seen countless times, but I’m seeing it in a completely different way? That’s the kind of stuff that we really wanted to highlight,” Hanks explains. This ability to recontextualize familiar moments offers a fresh perspective for even the most devoted fans.
The “Summer Rental” Significance
Hanks also emphasizes the importance of including “Summer Rental,” recognizing it as one of Candy’s quintessential roles and his first leading man turn, handpicked by the legendary Carl Reiner. This choice highlights not only Candy’s burgeoning talent but also the validation he received from esteemed figures in the industry, who recognized his immense potential and his inherent goodness.
Macaulay Culkin’s Profound Insight
The inclusion of Macaulay Culkin, who starred alongside Candy in “Uncle Buck,” provides some of the documentary’s most moving moments. Culkin’s reflections on Candy’s warmth and his ability to sense and respond to personal struggles, even in a child, are particularly resonant. “Even as a kid, he made you feel like your opinion mattered, and your emotions mattered,” Culkin shares. These powerful testimonials underscore Candy’s remarkable empathy.
“You never know. To take a shot. Find out. His insight was just, honestly, profound.” – Colin Hanks on Macaulay Culkin’s contribution.
Culkin’s own perspective, now being older than Candy was at the time of his passing, adds another layer of poignancy. His insights into Candy’s relationship with John Hughes also offer a crucial connection that Hanks felt was often overlooked.
Future Trends in Documentary Storytelling
The approach taken by Colin Hanks in “John Candy: I Like Me” signals a broader trend in documentary filmmaking: the move beyond superficial adoration to explore the complex inner lives of subjects, even beloved public figures. By focusing on internal struggles and thematic resonance, documentarians can create more engaging and enduring narratives. This method encourages viewers to connect with subjects on a deeper, more human level, fostering a richer understanding of their impact and their struggles.
This approach is particularly relevant in an era where easily accessible information can make a subject seem fully understood. As Hanks states, the challenge is to avoid becoming a mere “visual Wikipedia entry.” The future of compelling documentaries lies in uncovering the nuanced truths and personal narratives that elevate a subject from a familiar face to a fully realized individual.
The Evolving Landscape of Celebrity Biographies
The success of such documentaries relies on careful ethical considerations and a deep respect for the subject’s legacy. Hanks’ commitment to not “ruin anyone’s life” or force subjects into uncomfortable disclosures is paramount. This patient, respectful approach, combined with a genuine desire to understand the subject’s internal world, is key to building trust and eliciting authentic contributions from those involved. The documentary’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and its subsequent streaming on Prime Video on October 10th mark a significant moment in celebrating a unique talent through a deeply humanistic lens.
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Suggested Meta Description: Explore how Colin Hanks’ “John Candy: I Like Me” delves beyond celebrity adoration to uncover the profound anxieties and personal struggles that shaped the beloved actor’s life.
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