Late November brings with it the nostalgia of Thanksgiving classics, warm family gatherings, and perhaps most importantly for me, the annual screening of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." For many, this 1987 film remains an iconic tale of a misplaced flight, missing rental car, and an arduous road trip from St. Louis to Chicago. However, for those of us who grew up watching John Candy's larger-than-life characters on screen, the movie holds a deeper significance - it serves as a poignant reminder of our own loved ones.
My father, a man I still remember with his infectious laughter and irrepressible spirit, had an unusual affinity for John Candy. While he was not typically kind to comedians, his love for Candy was genuine, and one that resonated deeply with me when I stumbled upon the documentary "John Candy: I Like Me." The film offered a unique perspective on Candy's life and untimely death at 43.
The narrative surrounding Candy's demise has long been one of weight-related excess - smoking, drinking, and overeating ultimately taking their toll. However, this simplistic explanation only scratches the surface of what actually led to his passing. As revealed in "I Like Me," Candy's struggles were more intricately tied to his family history, unresolved trauma, and a complex web of mental health challenges that made it increasingly difficult for him to manage his physical wellbeing.
Candy himself was often perceived as lacking discipline when it came to adopting healthier habits. Yet, this perception belies the complexity of his situation. His father's early death from heart disease at the age of 35 hints at a possible genetic predisposition that Candy may have inherited, further exacerbating his own struggles with cardiovascular risk.
My father, like Candy before him, was a large man with an abundance of laughter and a natural ability to connect with strangers. These traits were reminiscent of Candy's iconic characters - genuine, warm-hearted, yet vulnerable in ways that drew others to them. Both men bore the scars of early loss, as their fathers had passed away prematurely from heart disease.
The documentary sheds light on how Candy often spoke about being bound by his father's fate, a sense of destiny tied to an untimely death at a young age. This phenomenon is not unique; research has shown that those who experience early loss - such as the loss of a parent - are more likely to struggle with chronic illness and premature mortality.
The stigma surrounding weight also played a pivotal role in Candy's life, serving up a toxic mix of shame and stress that took its toll on his mental health. His struggles were compounded by a grueling schedule of film roles and a foray into football ownership, culminating in panic attacks that pushed him further towards an inevitable reckoning.
The story of John Candy serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences of neglecting our mental wellbeing. In the years since his passing, it has become increasingly clear that our fixation on weight loss often masks more pressing health concerns - ones that require holistic approaches rather than narrow fixes. By listening to and learning from individuals like Candy and my father, we may yet uncover new pathways towards healing and prevention.
As I reflect on "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" with a newfound understanding of its significance, I am reminded that there is more to health than body size alone - a reality that we would do well to remember.
My father, a man I still remember with his infectious laughter and irrepressible spirit, had an unusual affinity for John Candy. While he was not typically kind to comedians, his love for Candy was genuine, and one that resonated deeply with me when I stumbled upon the documentary "John Candy: I Like Me." The film offered a unique perspective on Candy's life and untimely death at 43.
The narrative surrounding Candy's demise has long been one of weight-related excess - smoking, drinking, and overeating ultimately taking their toll. However, this simplistic explanation only scratches the surface of what actually led to his passing. As revealed in "I Like Me," Candy's struggles were more intricately tied to his family history, unresolved trauma, and a complex web of mental health challenges that made it increasingly difficult for him to manage his physical wellbeing.
Candy himself was often perceived as lacking discipline when it came to adopting healthier habits. Yet, this perception belies the complexity of his situation. His father's early death from heart disease at the age of 35 hints at a possible genetic predisposition that Candy may have inherited, further exacerbating his own struggles with cardiovascular risk.
My father, like Candy before him, was a large man with an abundance of laughter and a natural ability to connect with strangers. These traits were reminiscent of Candy's iconic characters - genuine, warm-hearted, yet vulnerable in ways that drew others to them. Both men bore the scars of early loss, as their fathers had passed away prematurely from heart disease.
The documentary sheds light on how Candy often spoke about being bound by his father's fate, a sense of destiny tied to an untimely death at a young age. This phenomenon is not unique; research has shown that those who experience early loss - such as the loss of a parent - are more likely to struggle with chronic illness and premature mortality.
The stigma surrounding weight also played a pivotal role in Candy's life, serving up a toxic mix of shame and stress that took its toll on his mental health. His struggles were compounded by a grueling schedule of film roles and a foray into football ownership, culminating in panic attacks that pushed him further towards an inevitable reckoning.
The story of John Candy serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences of neglecting our mental wellbeing. In the years since his passing, it has become increasingly clear that our fixation on weight loss often masks more pressing health concerns - ones that require holistic approaches rather than narrow fixes. By listening to and learning from individuals like Candy and my father, we may yet uncover new pathways towards healing and prevention.
As I reflect on "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" with a newfound understanding of its significance, I am reminded that there is more to health than body size alone - a reality that we would do well to remember.
so this docu about john candy has me curious... says here he struggled with mental health issues & family trauma but also had a genetic predisposition to heart disease? sounds like his life was way more complicated than just being a chubby guy 
what's the research saying about how early loss affects our wellbeing? and isn't it wild that we're still perpetuating this stigma around weight when it's not the only issue at play? 
need more info before i fully buy into all this 
. It's easy to romanticize his larger-than-life persona from movies like "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" or "Uncle Buck," but the reality is far more nuanced. We often oversimplify mental health struggles, reducing them to simplistic explanations like weight-related issues 
. I think that's what makes this documentary so powerful - it sheds light on the complexities of Candy's life, the way he was bound by his family history and trauma, and how those factors affected his mental wellbeing 
. It's a reminder that there's more to health than just physical appearance or body size alone 
.
What's your fave part? And omg the mental health aspect of Candy's life is SO underrated, he was always playing these lovable jocks but behind the scenes he was dealing with some serious demons. I'm gonna have to add that doc to my watchlist ASAP.
. Like my dad was a big guy too, but nobody ever judged him for it or made a big deal out of it... unless he had a beer 
. I think it's funny how they're always sayin' that Candy was 'larger than life', like that's all about bein' fat 
. It's just an easy excuse for people who don't want to deal with their actual mental health issues. I mean, come on, a bunch of documentaries and articles about John Candy's struggles, but nobody ever talks about how hard it is to be in the public eye? The pressure to perform, the constant scrutiny... that's what really gets to you, not just your weight or eating habits 
.
. It's not just about losing weight, it's about losing ourselves in the process 
. We should be having more conversations like this, about how we can support each other on our journeys towards healing and self-care 
.
But, what really gets me is how this movie can be more than just a comedy classic - it's also a reminder of the importance of mental health. I mean, think about it, we always focus on weight loss and fitness goals, but it's not that simple. There are so many factors at play here, like family history, trauma, and stress... 
Just saw the most fascinating doc about John Candy's life 
He wasn't just funny on screen, but also had some deep issues with his mental health and family history that contributed to his passing 
Also, it's crazy how many people have experienced similar struggles with early loss and chronic illness 
and it's literally so good! but what really got me thinking was about john candy's life story 
...i feel like we're getting closer to understanding why things went the way they did 
it's crazy how they had similar issues with their dads dying young & struggling with mental health... 
my dad used to love john candy too, but he struggled with his weight in a way that felt really painful for him