John Sweet continues to be fondly remembered by so many individuals. With that, the star’s life and profession have been chronicled in John Sweet: I Like Me, directed by Colin Hanks and co-produced by Ryan Reynolds. Naming a movie about Sweet wasn’t easy for individuals who knew the person behind the parable, it appears. Chris Sweet, the son of the Nice Outside actor, says the title didn’t click on at first as a result of he wasn’t simply branding a documentary. Ultimately, although, there got here a second that Chris realized what the title needs to be.
In a visitor column he wrote for The Toronto Star, Chris Sweet recalled a second from October 2023 on Freeway 11. It was throughout that point that Sweet was leaving Skeleton Lake after the primary interviews for the doc, which was untitled on the time. As he defined, Chris felt hesitant about titling the documentary with a quote from one in all his dad’s most well-known characters:
On the time, the venture was untitled. The one identify floating round was ‘I Like Me,’ and I wasn’t positive if it felt proper. Did my dad like himself the way in which his character, the affable Del Griffith from ‘Planes, Trains and Vehicles,’ preferred himself? There was a lot I nonetheless didn’t know, however one factor was already clear: I used to be at the start of a protracted, emotional journey; a large-scale deep dive into my dad’s life, profession and legacy.
That hesitation completely is sensible. Del’s daring declare, “I like me,” actually sums up his scenario at all-time low—it is humorous, relatable, and trustworthy. Nonetheless, is that actually him, the “man” John Sweet?
As Chris continued to hear, his dad’s picture turned clearer. It was apparent he wasn’t simply an actor from a number of the finest ’80s films, however a beneficiant man who at all times put others first, and the heat he gave off wasn’t simply felt by the viewers, but in addition by his pals, household, and the entire metropolis. So, by the point the ultimate edit got here collectively, the title went from being a query to a transparent reply:
After I watched the ultimate lower of the movie, I spotted that the title ‘John Sweet: I Like Me’ was the proper match. Not solely is it a line of dialogue from the genius thoughts of my dad’s finest pal, John Hughes (a person I additionally miss dearly), but it surely’s a real assertion. John Sweet preferred himself. His pals preferred him, his household preferred him — he was the actual article. What you noticed was what we acquired.
I have been a lifelong fan of John Sweet’s work, and I completely assume “I Like Me” is a unbelievable title. It is not solely one in all Sweet’s most iconic traces but in addition comes from one in all his biggest films, Planes, Trains and Vehicles. Ryan Reynolds, the producer of the doc, believes that Del Griffith efficiency may snag Sweet an Oscar nomination at this time and, actually, I am unable to argue with that.
I’m tremendous excited for the Sweet documentary to lastly come out! The filmmakers say that this movie is actually going to hit you within the feels, and I’m so prepared. What’ll be notably satisfying in regards to the doc is that’s may present a way of catharsis for siblings Chris and Jennifer Sweet as they have fun the lifetime of their late father.
The aptly titled John Sweet: I Like Me kicked off the fiftieth Toronto Worldwide Movie Competition on its opening evening earlier in September. Beginning on October 10, this 2025 film launch can be obtainable for Prime Video subscription holders to stream.