John Candy resides in the pantheon of great comedic actors that have been lost too early (he passed away at the age of 43). Candy got his start like much of his generation at Second City, and quickly rose to fame for his improv chops. When the Canadian actor made his way to Hollywood, he quickly found himself among the comedy legends. But while Candy had a wealth of depth and could make himself at home in most any kind of film (his handful of dramatic turns, though, were wanting), what he became known and loved for were his over-earnest, big-hearted man-boys (“Planes, Trains & Automobiles”); his lovable buffoons (“Uncle Buck”); men who exist as testaments to sincerity in a world so cynical they nearly come off as jokes themselves. In Candy’s hands, these out of touch men more often than not became the heart of the film.
To take us back and pay tribute to the late, great comedy legend is the new seven-minute doc “Tell Me About John.” Presented by OnePerfectShot, the video packs in archival footage and interviews with some of those closest to John (Dan Aykroyd, Tom Hanks, John Hughes, Martin Short) to paint a picture of a bear-hearted man who threw himself into his work. The John Candy we see on screen, they all agree, was the real John Candy. It’s a touching look back on the life and career of a comedy great that ended too soon.
Check out the video below and take some time to sit down to a Candy classic (it’s the season for “Planes, Trains & Automobiles”). Weigh in with your favorite Candy film in the comments. [AV Club]