The Legacy of John Candy
John Candy’s son, Chris, recently spoke out about the heartbreaking way his father was treated by the press during his career. In a new documentary, "John Candy: I Like Me," Chris shares his thoughts on the resurfaced interviews where journalists openly mocked his father’s weight.
The Impact of Body Shaming
Chris expressed his shock and sadness at seeing how interviewers treated his father, saying, "It was just heartbreaking. And I could also see him getting more and more frustrated and finding ways to deal with it." He also revealed that his father developed bad eating habits due to the constant scrutiny, saying, "He was so nervous about eating in front of people because of the paparazzi. He developed a bad eating habit where he said, ‘Okay, I’m not going to eat all day. I’m going to eat in the evening.’"
A Son’s Perspective
Chris continued, "When I hear stories like that, I just feel so sorry for him because I’m like, ‘How cornered are you?’ And in those moments, as his son or as his friend, you really want to grab him by the shoulders and say, ‘Why the hell do you have to do that?’ Who cares? Eat a sandwich and get angry about it.’" This emotional response highlights the pain and frustration that Chris feels when seeing his father treated unfairly.
The Documentary
The documentary, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The film features many examples of interviewers making insensitive comments about John Candy’s weight, leaving him feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious.
Reflections from the Filmmakers
Colin Hanks commented on the documentary, saying, "You watch interview after interview and terrible things are said and questions are asked in incredibly insensitive ways. It’s hard to see how uncomfortable John felt in almost every clip. And with good reason, because some of the things people said were disgusting and wouldn’t be tolerated today." Ryan Reynolds also shared his thoughts, revealing that he personally called one of the journalists who made fun of John Candy’s weight after seeing the archival footage.
A Conversation About Accountability
Reynolds explained, "I called one of them… I didn’t put it in the film, but I called this journalist just to see it." He continued, "I wasn’t trying to shame him or teach him a lesson. [I told him] I took it out of the film, but I would put it in the film if you want to talk about it because maybe you have something to say about it, about your journey whenever it comes to something like that. We had such a thoughtful conversation about it." This conversation highlights the importance of accountability and reflection in addressing past wrongs.
The Documentary’s Impact
"John Candy: I Like Me" features interviews with dozens of the late comedian’s former co-stars, including Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Catherine O’Hara. The film provides a unique glimpse into John Candy’s life and career, and serves as a reminder of the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
