Eddie Murphy Stars in Festive Family Fiasco!

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MOVIE REVIEW
Candy Cane Lane
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Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 57m
Director(s): Reginald Hudlin
Writer(s): Kelly Younger
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino, Nick Offerman, Robin Thede, Chris Redd, Genneya Walton, Madison Thomas, D.C. Young Fly, Riki Lindhome, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Lombardo Boyar, Danielle Pinnock, Timothy Simons
Where To Watch: coming to Prime Video on December 1, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: In CANDY CANE LANE, Eddie Murphy plays Chris Carver, a suburban father whose main holiday focus is to reign supreme in the local Christmas decoration contest. However, his journey veers into the world of the extraordinary when a deal with Pepper (Jillian Bell), a crafty elf, unleashes a series of magical “events” straight out of the "12 Days of Christmas." This enchantment not only upends this quiet town but also thrusts Chris, his wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their children into a spirited quest to undo the magic and restore their cherished holiday traditions.

Directed by Reginald Hudlin and written by Kelly Younger, CANDY CANE LANE commences with a narrative bursting with promise, hinting at a holiday spectacle rich in humor and fantastical elements. The initial setup sets the stage for a unique blend of comedy and whimsy. As the storyline progresses, however, the film struggles to maintain a steady flow of humor and effectively wield its magical narrative threads. Murphy’s inherent charisma glimmers throughout, but the screenplay falls short of fully showcasing his comedic flair. The almost two-hour runtime is simply too long to keep pace with the film's story.

While the film is peppered with comedic hits, it falters occasionally in forging a real connection with its audience. Brimming with potential, the cast is somewhat hemmed in by a screenplay that doesn’t quite do justice to their talents or the characters' arcs. The original idea is simply spread too thin over too long to hold its weight.

Despite these hiccups, CANDY CANE LANE still captures several enchanting moments. Set against a wintery backdrop in California, replete with local flavor, the film injects fresh air into the conventional Christmas movie genre (a gag at the end was perfect due to its location.) The film ends on a high note, with some surprise guests, and will leave you with a smile.

Joy (Genneya Walton), the oldest child, is a high school athlete whose dreams clash with her father’s visions, while Nick (Thaddeus J. Mixson), the middle child, embarks on a musical journey that feels slightly shoehorned in. While confined to a somewhat stereotypical role, the youngest, Holly (Madison Thomas), stands out through her vibrant interactions with the family; I wish she had gotten more of a role in the film instead of just being the “Christmas child.”

The cast’s performances in CANDY CANE LANE span a spectrum from passable to unremarkable. Murphy’s portrayal as the patriarch feels familiar yet lacks a unique edge, feeling as though Murphy is just playing himself. Bell’s rendition of Pepper struggles to etch a memorable “villainous figure” in the Christmas genre.

CANDY CANE LANE aspires to be a delightful holiday movie but has a robust storyline with too many narrative threads and erratic humor. Nevertheless, it possesses qualities that may appeal to those seeking a heartwarming, albeit flawed, Christmas-themed film experience. If you’re looking for a Christmas movie to turn on while enjoying your holiday festivities, this isn’t a bad choice, and you’ll get some laughs and some fun interactions with the characters throughout.

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[photo courtesy of PRIME VIDEO]