Customer Reviews

Laughing on the Outside

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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."

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

Actually, the author interviewed me for this book, as John and I were close friends. If it is found lacking in depth, it is only because John's actor friends closed ranks and very few would speak to Mr. Knelman about him, probably for fear of potential yellow journalism. In Toronto, Mr. Knelman is presently Arts critic for The Toronto Star and has an excellent reputation. At the time of writing, Mr. Knelman wrote for The Globe and Mail, Canada's most respected newspaper. Perhaps if more people had been aware of this, much more, insightful commentary could have been written. Mr. Knelman quoted me exactly and did not attempt to spin anything I said to him. It's really an indictment on journalism that so few trusted the author enough to grant interviews. Perhaps the definitive biography is yet to be written. I hope that Mr. Knelman revisit this project and update it some time. This book, under the circumstances, was as good as it could be and I am proud to be part of it. Jonathan O'Mara, Toront

I really liked this book and in fact, couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting. Martin Knelman did an excellent job in documenting what was really a very sad story. I grew up in Toronto and was a fan of John Candy, watching his career from the earliest days of SCTV. I found this book to be a very accurate and an interesting historical review of the Canadian TV and media industry. Candy clearly made an amazing number of poor career choices but was also taken advantage of by many people in the show business industry which is unfortunate. This book would make a good movie.

John Candy's story is told in this penetrating biography tells about the off-screen comedians self complex and troubled problems with his weight and alcoholism, and his smoking that gained him over 300 pounds. And with his deeply rooted anxieties about his success, money and his self-worth. But above all that on-screen Candy was a funny, gentle, soft-hearted and affable also loved by millions of television & movie fans for playing characters who almost always conveyed much of the real man. Like "SCTV" where Candy's skecth characters came up to Mayor Tommy Shanks, Johnny LaRue and Stan Shmenge. And his best remebered known film roles like "Uncle Buck", "Plane Trains and Automobiles", "Splash" and "Cool Runnings". This is a tale of a comedian at war with his greatest instrument and a riveting portrait of a man's battle with his private demons!

I really liked this book on Candy. It covered some great early years of his life in theatre that I had never known which were my favorite chapters of the book. The writer also followed him well into his later years as he began living in L.A. along with the changes that eventually began to be problematic. I thought that the book was a nice length but being a huge fan of his I wanted more also, especially more pictures. Although I never expected his life to be perfect I am glad that I found out more about him but that won't change my opinion of him; none of us are perfect and I still would have liked to have met/known him. I have friends just like him and I see the issues that they have also. It's not easy for any of them because the world judges us on looks, not brains. From this book one thing that Candy fans can be assured in is that he gave it his all, 110%, throughout his career and he remained human also.

this book is what it is and the only thing is that have time to read it from cover to cover.

The author of the book has pulled together information on one of the most beloved modern comedians, a person whom no one could not love. The author of the book is, however, not as crafty as a biographer as Candy deserves. Frequent jumping around, repetition, and awkwardness make the read difficult, and it moves fast not for grace of writing but love of the subject. While the author does present and reinforce the ideas that went through Candy's mind and the minds of those closest to him, the only way to really get through this book is to be a John Candy fan through and through

This book is about twice as long as it needs to be. It is way too wordy and lacks depth. I read two to three books per week and usually pass on my used books to others. When I completed reading this one I literally threw it in the trash. What a waste of money and time!