John Candy: I Like Me: Canadian comedic icon John Candy passed away back in March 1994 while working on the movie Wagon’s East at the age of 43 years old. It is surprising to me that it has taken 31 years to bring this documentary forward. Ryan Reynolds is one of the producers and it is directed by Tom Hanks’ son, Colin. The movie brings together outstanding comedy performers like Bill Murray, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, Mel Brooks, and Conan O’Brian among others. It also shows John’s two children, Jennifer and Chris and his wife.

In typical documentary fashion we go through a chronological history of the man, beginning at the end at his funeral, but then going back to his earlier times. He was born on Halloween in 1950. He has an older brother and his parents. A lifechanging moment for him was when his father passed away from a massive heart attack at 35yo when John was just 5 years old. That shaped his life going forward as those around him never really talked about it, as that generation of people was known for doing. John loved football but an injury ended those dreams. Then he stumbled into theatre in high school and was later encouraged to try out for the newly opened Second City in Toronto. The original Second City comedy store in Chicago was expanding. From there his talent blossomed to the point where Stephen Spielberg came to Toronto to speak to John about a part in his movie 1941. The movie continues with his career highlights, including his many roles working with director John Hughes which coincided with his connection with Hughes offscreen.

What sticks out about John is how he was so genuine, and authentic with those around him. He was heavy set in stature which stood out upon first glance but his depth of character and caring about people became more memorable for those who knew him. Bill Murray hopes jokingly early on in the interviews that someone “will come up with some dirt on John” because he couldn’t. He did struggle with his weight to be sure, but the discussion turns more on John’s belief that dying early was hereditary in his family and he felt that he was on borrowed time. His older brother had a heart attack working as a member of a film crew John had arranged for him. Despite this, he didn’t like going to doctors and never seemed to stop his love of smoking, drinking and eating well. The comedic genuis and timing remained throughout. Sharpening his skills on Second City and later SCTV he created so many memorable characters. From the Schemgie brothers, to Dr Tongue 3-D horror films to Johnny LaRue and the Fishin Musician he could work on many levels. Movies came calling and he preferred them. There is a touching scene at the end of the movie which I won’t spoil. But suffice it to say that the Canadian from Newmarket made his mark on the world in a most profound way even if he was taken from us far too early. I enjoyed this movie and I would encourage you to see it. It can be found on Prime now.

Splitsville: This new release starring Dakota Johnson and three others that I am not familiar with, seems to be a pet project for these actors. Playing two separate couples, both married we see a change in their relationship over the course of the movie. Johnson is married to Paul, played by Michael Angelo Covino who also directed the movie. We learn that their marriage is an open one, but that the husband isn’t really as receptive to its openness when his wife talks about her recent relation. The other couple is Kyle Marvin playing Carey and his wife Ashley played by Adria Arjona, have been married 14 months and we see them at the beginning singing in the car on a trip to visit the other couple. Carey and Paul are best friends. There is a bizarre incident on the drive, and then Ashley confesses that she no longer wishes to be married anymore. Carey is caught fully blindsided. He up and runs away leaving the car and his wife behind.

There are a couple of funny moments early, but it quickly goes into the strange and stupid downhill really quickly after that. There is a rather bizarre fight sequence and we quickly learn that two of the people in these marriages are pretty repulsive people. The details are unimportant but the crucial fact for the audience is that they aren’t really likeable people and you are cheering for them and hoping for them to get themselves sorted. Rather, we things happen later on one feels incredulous that this is a course correction that one felt was necessary or even believable. Pity the young child who seems to have a way of taking things that don’t belong to him, all the while he gets conflicting and dyametrically opposed advice from the adults around him. All in all, this was a movie where I had seen a preview and thought “this might be worth checking out” especially since the other romantic movie with Dakota Johnson Materialists was quite enjoyable and thought provoking. This is NOT that movie. So this is a hard pass, and you can thank me later for giving you back 1:40 of your life! You’re welcome!

The Diplomat – Season 3: The latest season of this excellent series has been released on Netflix. I have watched the first three episodes and they pick up exactly at the moment of the end of Season 2. There was a surprising ending to last season and this continues on with the excitement and the intrigue. The series stars Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, who was the current US Ambassador to the UK, but had ideas of being in a higher level position within the Administration. She is married to Hal, played by Rufus Sewell, and they have a complex relationship. During this season we learn more of the backstory on just how complicated it is. Both are in the civil service. He is very experienced and was once the Ambassador to Lebanon. He has a way of speaking when he shouldn’t and pissing off all the wrong people. The relationship is more professional than romantic, and Russell is the partner with the higher profile job as the season begins. Hal, it seems, can’t help inserting himself and creating trouble along the way. This causes tremendous stress for Russell and those around her.

Allison Janney plays Grace Penn who is the Vice President in Season 2. There was intrigue on whether she would continue in that job at the end of the season. Janney is excellent. The rest of the cast playing both US and British personnel are all very good. From those supporting Russell in the Ambassador’s office to the British PM, and his supporting staff they all contribute to make this an engaging, exciting, very watchable series. The writing is excellent with clever storylines and good banter. The viewer is kept wondering where this will go next, and it remains a surprise often because we get the sense that the characters themselves don’t know which way they are leaning. Jobs are at stake for people who are ambitious and smart and work incredibly hard. Mistakes too are made and they must be dealt with effectively. Overall this Emmy nominated series takes its place alongside other political thrillers and holds its own, with Russell leading the way showing the challenges of the jobs she undertakes, but also the chess match of doing them effectively while also a woman in those roles. It isn’t lost on me that she has always needed to be smarter and more cagey then the men that are around her, most notably her husband. Janney explained to her in Season 2 about being a woman in powerful positions and how they are judged differently than their male counterparts. It’s true. All of it. I will continue to watch, but I am mindful of watching too quickly and then being over this season so quickly. I like the pace, the dialog, the performances and interplay among the cast. This is currently one of the best shows on TV in my opinion.