Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2408979 in Books
• Published on: 1997-01-01
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 320 pages

Customer Reviews

Sad book of movie reviews
The author does not seem to want to tell the story of a comedian that did put his mark on the world, and would have moved further in this world had he lived longer. The author seems to want to put his 2 cents in as a movie critic instead. I am sure there were many great stories about John Candy, but the readers don't hear a one of them. Please avoid this book if you have your heart set on learning about the man, John Candy.

A disappointment
This book seems to be the only one I can find having to do with John Candy, so I can't abandon it completely until something better comes along.

I'll save the book from a one-star rating because it is mildly enjoyable to learn about the life of the man, but the faults of the book outweigh its merits.

For instance, the author likes to annoy with his insistence on getting his fill of being a movie critic and putting down virtually every film/tv show John Candy appeared in, with the exception of "SCTV" and "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." Instead of giving us insight into the making of the films, he seems to have more fun telling the reader how bad they are, and his opinion of the acting of the rest of the cast. There is nothing here for movie purists; as mentions of life on the set are limited to phrases of how everybody loved John and so forth. Good for reminiscing, but not for reading.

Second, the author is too heavyhanded in parts. While Candy's childhood is hardly referenced, nor is his family life; long-winded anecdotes about his business dealings with Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall, former owner of the LA Kings (NHL) occupy much of the book. Those familiar with Candy's films and not his early television work will feel shut-out at the beginning, as it is obvious the author is partial to the latter rather than the former. There is a frustrating lack of balance to the flow of story, particularly at the end. It seems as if the author wearied of writing about Candy and finished rather quickly, as the conclusion of the book felt stale and hollow. Scant sentences after passages on Candy's death go by, and the book has come to an end. Disappointing when it took so long to finish the introduction.

To further infuriate, the quotes taken from personal friends and fellow actors seem to have been lifted heavily from magazines and other sources, rather than anything from the author's own sweat and blood. Although put together in a satisfactory fashion, one cannot help but wish for deeper commentary and juicier gossip than this book only touches on. For all its talk about "deep, hidden sadness," this book fails to deliver on anything "deep."

Dissappointed,that Iam!! Too shallow-no depth-research lacks
Too much reliance on other people's atricles on Candy'slife. No actual interviews with other stars and or family. Nothing indepth about his early childhood. Very vague and surface skimming. Film crews and old friends seem like the only ones that gave interviews to this writer. No family or co-stars views on him at all that wasn't already in print before this book. Leaves you hungry for more than this was able to to put on the table. Learned very little than had previously already known on this man's life and career. Author tells you he always told funny stories but never heard one person's recollection on these stories either, outside they were funny. Woefully done. Save your money and pray someone else does an authorized bio on him thats better researched than this "gleeming" was. I am biased of course,being a fan and all but I spent the money on the book in hopes of better. His (Candy's) life needs to be told better than this. What was his affliction? Eating disorder/depression? END