Candy Cane Lane review
Candy Cane Lane is a film ideally suited for viewers seeking a fresh, frivolous festive Christmas experience. And for those who want to sit back with a movie that’s not vying for Oscar glory now that it’s December.
Eddie Murphy stars as Chris Carver, a man who gets into the Christmas spirit big time constructing elaborate woodcraft items to decorate his lawn. In fairness, Chris isn’t the only one in his neighborhood that goes a “little” overboard in adorning their lawns with inflatables, snowmen, Santas and lights. Oh so many lights.
The residents on Candy Cane Lane have a huge decorating contest that’s only gotten more intense with the news that the winner will receive a $100,000 grand prize.
Winning would mean a lot to Chris. Not just from finally one-upping his neighbor/freenemy Bruce (Ken Marino), but because he just got laid off.
Chris doesn’t want to ruin Christmas for the rest of the family. His wife, Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross), is on the verge of getting a major promotion. Their daughter, Joy (Genneya Walton), is considering colleges. Son, Nick (Thaddeus J. Mixson, Creed III), isn’t interested in math but knows all the formulas of making music.
At least Chris still has some more quality time with the precocious younger daughter, Hope (Madison Thomas), who’s happy to ditch school to help him get the upper hand in the contest.
Stumbling onto a random Christmas decorations shop, Chris and Hope are amazed at the extravagant decorations. And a little creeped out by the eccentric store owner, Pepper (Jillian Bell, Murder Mystery 2). Settling on a massive 12 Days of Christmas lawn prop, Chris and Hope head out to dazzle the neighborhood.
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Of course, Chris didn’t read the fine print on the elaborate receipt. Otherwise, he would have noticed Pepper set him up. Thanks to some helpful animated Christmas villagers, Pip (Nick Offerman, The Last of Us), Cordelia (Robin Thede) and Gary (Chris Redd, Joker), Chris learns he’s got until Christmas to collect the gold rings or else he’ll become one of them.
A Christmas theme quest? Let’s do it. Director Reginald Hudlin (Marshall) fully embraces the premise and makes ring collecting from 10 Lords a Leaping, 2 Turtle Doves, etc. a lot of fun. No, it’s not high concept drama. It’s simply an adventure literally for the entire family.
Murphy isn’t operating on domineering charismatic comedic presence mode. He’s seemingly happy to concede some of the bigger jokes to his co-stars. With capable comedic performances from Ross and Bell along with quality work from Walton, Mixson and Thomas, Murphy doesn’t have to do all the heavy lifting. Timothy Simons and Danielle Pinnock provide some reliable laughs as a pair of mismatched hosts on a local TV station.
Bell benefits the most from Candy Cane Lane not being an Eddie Murphy and random co-stars film. She hams it up appropriately as the wacky villain trying to ruin Christmas for the Carvers.
Kelly Younger’s (Muppets Now!) script has some very funny lines. Naturally, there’s the Chris has to learn lessons from all of his family members, but the moral lesson isn’t too overbearing.
The final act goes on a bit longer than needed as Hudlin doubles down on the zaniness. It drags out so Hudlin can get reaction shots from the various neighbors and Kit’s mildly annoying influencer/street reporter nephew Josh (D.C. Young Fly).
Editing could have been tighter. This didn’t need to be right up at the two-hour mark as a 95- to 98-minute length would have hit the sweet spot.
Slight pacing aside, this is a charming Christmas effort and well worth checking out for Christmas movie fans this year.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Photo Credit: Amazon
Check out Candy Cane Lane on Amazon Prime.
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