John Candy's 10 Best Performances
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One of my favorite actors from the 80s was Canadian comedian John Candy. He was a warm, big hearted performer who got his start with the Second City improv group which created SCTV. He went on to star in movies throughout the eighties and early nineties before his sudden death on the set of Wagons East in 1994. Below are his ten best performances.
10. SUMMER RENTAL - 1985
9. SPACEBALLS - 1987
In Mel Brooks' hilarious spoof of the Star Wars films, Candy plays the hero's sidekick Barf. He's a Mog, half man, half dog. '' I'm my own best friend. ''
Candy gives an upbeat, almost child like performance that brings a lot of humor to his character. He also makes great use of his costume, with ears that move and a tail that '' has a mind of its own. '' Amid all the slapstick and silliness, Candy stands out and brings this space farce back to Earth.
8. NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION - 1983
Candy has a rather small part towards the end of this very funny film from writer John Hughes and director Harold Ramis. He plays Lasky, a guard at the amusement park Walleyworld. When Clark Griswold ( Chevy Chase) and his family discover that after driving across the country, their destination Walleyworld is closed, Clark takes matters into his own hands. He kidnaps Lasky with a BB gun and forces him to take him on all the rides. Candy makes the most of his short screen time, using a nervous, nerdy voice and slapstick physical reactions. He's especially good when he figures out that it's really a BB gun and starts to get sarcastic with Clark, until he is shot in the butt. This role is proof that even a tiny part can be memorable with the right actor.
7. JFK - 1991
This is another small role for Candy, as he's really only in two scenes of Oliver Stone's brilliant, star-studded conspiracy theory about the Kennedy assassination. He plays real life Attorney Dean Andrews who was questioned and testified during the trial of Clay Shaw ( Tommy Lee Jones). Candy puts on a rather convincing Louisiana accent and is always wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette. He talks with a lingo saying phrases like Daddy-O and swingin' cat. He comes off as first cool and confident, but you can see the fear underneath as he tries to explain to Kevin Costner's DA Jim Garrison, that he is getting too close to the truth and that can be dangerous. It's a rare dramatic role for Candy and he again makes the most of his short screen time.
6. THE GREAT OUTDOORS - 1988
Candy stars as Chet Ripley, a family man who takes his wife and two sons up to a lakefront cabin in the woods, only to be interrupted by his obnoxious brother in law Roman (Dan Aykroyd) and his family. Candy is given a lot of opportunity to improvise, creating some hilarious moments as he trades barbs with Aykroyd, tries to talk his way out of getting two bears off the roof of his car, and tries to do some foreplay role playing with his wife. It's also a very physical performance as he's forced to water ski, capture a bat, and even outrun a bear. One of the best scenes is when he's conned into eating a gigantic steak, even with all the grizzle and fat. The looks on his face are priceless, as he first helplessly looks at the plate of fat, and then his triumphant look when he finishes. Towards the end of the movie, Candy is given a chance to be dramatic, when he's made to believe that he drunkenly insulted Roman at a wedding years ago. He looks so guilty and hurt when he hears this, which turns to anger when he finds out that Roman made it all up to con money out of him. This movie is a great example of Candy's talents for physical comedy, which he then grounds in reality with his warmth and sincerity.
5. ONLY THE LONELY - 1991
Only the Lonely is an underseen movie from writer and director Chris Columbus. Candy stars as police officer Danny Muldoon who has been living in the shadow of his overbearing mother ( Maureen O'Hara) his entire life. He finally starts to come into his own when he meets a painfully shy makeup artist for a funeral home played by Ally Sheedy. Candy is funny, but this winds up being a mostly dramatic role as he plays Danny as tender and sweet in his romance with Sheedy. He has a real arc as his character is allowed to grow into his own man and Candy certainly rises to the challenge.
4. SPLASH - 1984
Splash is a fantasy comedy from director Ron Howard about Allen Bauer (Tom Hanks) who falls in love with a mermaid (Daryl Hannah). Candy plays Allen's brother Freddie, a boisterous playboy who always likes to have fun but also has his brother's best interests at heart. This is one of Candy's funniest roles as he gets all the best lines. His best scenes are when he breathlessly tries to keep up with his brother at racquetball; when he pretends to be a Swedish scientist ; and when everyone finds him sitting with a fishing pole with his feet in the mermaid tank. It's a fun performance that truly does support the lead character.
3. COOL RUNNINGS - 1993
This is my favorite of his final few performances. Candy plays Irving Blitzer, a former Olympic gold medalist who trains the first Jamaican bobsled team for the winter Olympics. Blitzer is given a compelling back story as he was caught cheating years ago and had his gold medal taken away. Because of this, he does not want to train the four young men, until he is convinced to give himself another chance. Candy is very funny as he trains the four islanders how to run on the ice in freezing cold weather. His bitterness from his past disgrace turns to guilt as the Olympic commission tries to disqualify his team based solely on their feelings toward Blitzer. Candy is terrific as he Stands up to them, asking for them not to take out their anger for him on his men. This is a great dramatic role from Candy peppered with his brand of humor.
2. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES - 1987
In this comedy from John Hughes, Candy plays Del Griffith, a shower Curtain ring salesman who latches onto Steve Martin's Neal Page, as Neal tries desperately to get home to his family for Thanksgiving. Del is a unique creation. He's loud and abrasive, but at the same time Candy also makes him friendly and charming. He's the kind of guy who will talk your ear off at a party, but is also everyone's best friend. Candy plays him as obnoxious but well meaning, with good intentions. Martin and Candy make a great odd couple as Candy plays off of the harried and fastidious Martin. Their funniest scene is when Candy realizes that his hand is not between two pillows. Candy's best scene is when he gets insulted by Martin who rips apart his personality and is left to dramatically defend himself in a speech in which he says, '' I like me; My wife likes me; My customers like me. ''
At the climax of the movie Neal figures out that Del's wife has been dead for years and Del is homeless. Candy really brings this realization home with a silent reaction shot that shows shame, guilt and longing. This is a wonderful performance from Candy that was almost my number one pick, if it wasn't for...
1. UNCLE BUCK - 1989
This is a role tailor made for John Candy if there ever was one. John Hughes' warm and funny comedy is completely owned by Candy's performance as Buck Russell. When his brother and sister in law have to leave last minute for a family emergency, they reluctantly leave Buck in charge of their three kids. Buck is constantly between jobs, leeching off his girlfriend Chanice (Amy Madigan). He's inappropriate, he gambles, he smokes smelly cigars and he drives a car that makes noises like a shotgun blast. The two younger children like him right away. Who wouldn't like an uncle that makes giant pancakes? But he immediately butts heads with his vindictive niece Tia Who's embarrassed by him and tries to sabotage him at every turn. Buck really does care about his nephew and nieces though and comes through for them when they need him most which leads to the movie's two best scenes. The first is when the younger niece Maisy is having trouble in school and Buck is called down to the principal's office. The principal is a gruff witch of a woman who believes children should not be silly or have fun and should only concentrate on their studies. Buck proceeds to lash into her, saying that he wouldn't want to know a six year old who took their academic career seriously and he hilariously ends the encounter by giving the woman a quarter so she can go downtown and have a rat gnaw the large mole off her face. The second scene comes when he goes to a teen party to rescue Tia from her pushy boyfriend Bug. Candy looks hilariously demented as he busts into the bedroom with a power drill. The expression on his face goes to realization and sad disappointment when he realizes that Bug is now trying to take advantage of another girl. But he immediately gets back the devilish glee as he figures out how to get even with Bug. Candy's performance throughout the film is hilarious but also heartbreaking in its quieter moments such as when he realizes that his sister in law covered up his picture in their wedding album. He also has a great rapport with the younger kids and an interesting dynamic with Chanice. This performance is in my opinion, the crowning achievement in Candy's unfortunately short career.
John Candy doesn't get thought of as much as comedians like John Belushi or even Chris Farley. And it's really not fair because John Candy is a true Comic Genius
ReplyDeleteI agree Greg, he's very underrated. I would have liked for him to have gotten an Oscar nomination which could have happened with Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
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