Candy Cane Lane (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – A man is determined to win the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. After making a pact with an elf to help him win, the elf casts a spell bringing the 12 days of Christmas to life and unexpectedly bringing chaos to town.

My Take – Once upon a time, Eddie Murphy was the comedy king. Known particularly for his dry sarcasm combined with cheesy humor and box office draw.

However, his career has changed dramatically over the decades. From being one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, shifting between edgy and mature stuff to more family-friendly fare, Murphy‘s star status slowly died down in the mid-2000s, to occasional appearances and voice roles.

Only to return to proper limelight with the excellent Dolemite Is My Name (2019). And with Coming 2 America (2021), proving he still has drawing power, Murphy seems to have found a new home with streaming platforms. His latest, an Amazon Prime Video release, sees Murphy go full Holiday mode as man on a mission to win his neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest.

Though at first glance, the film may look like a perfectly acceptable family-friendly Christmastime comedy, thankfully, in the hands of writer Kelly Younger and director Reginald Hudlin (Boomerang, House Party) the resulting feature manages to subvert expectations despite a familiar seasonal message.

Sure, it will not secure top spot among the most memorable Christmas stories ever made, yet the film presents a fresh and humorous perspective on discovering the true meaning of Christmas, featuring a blend of modern references, adult humor, and childlike whimsy that caters to a broad audience. Filled with holiday tropes and clichés, like elves, exuberant decorations and black Santa, this one is without a doubt a comforting watch that captures the essence that makes most seasonal films so beloved.

The story follows Chris Carver (Eddie Murphy), who lives the perfect life with his wife, Carol Carver (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their three wonderful children; Joy (Genneya Walton), Nick (Thaddeus J. Mixson), and Holly (Madison Thomas). But is obsessed with Christmas, so much so that his children all have Christmas-themed names and the family’s garage is overflowing with Christmas memorabilia throughout the year.

Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that he takes decorating the house for Christmas very seriously, particularly because of the Candy Cane Lane competition, which his neighbor Bruce (Ken Marino) has been winning 4 years in a row. And with this year’s competition involving prize money, Chris desperately wants to win the $100,000 to help out with his current financial situation after being laid off.

To have the perfect house he even ends up buying a gaudy, flamboyant lawn-decoration Christmas tree from a pop-up store run by a chatty manager (Jillian Bell). Unbeknownst to Chris, Pepper the manager is actually a rogue elf, fired by Santa for being a disciplinarian about the naughty list, who likes to sell enchanted Christmas decorations to unsuspecting desperate people, all in order to enact a curse. Needless to say, plenty of Christmas shenanigans ensue.

Despite a familiar set-up, here, writer Kelly Younger and director Reginald Hudlin try to make the presentation as original as possible. Bringing the 12 days of Christmas to life was definitely something I did not see it coming and I was pleasantly surprised. The film’s humor caters to a broad audience, incorporating jokes that range from the chaos of holiday shopping to clever innuendos and modern pop culture references. One of the biggest vehicles for comedy in the film comes from the porcelain dolls who have already been afflicted by Pepper’s curse.

At its core, the film examines the struggle between preserving tradition and succumbing to the allure of consumerism during the holiday season. As Chris Carver’s journey becomes a metaphor for navigating the economic challenges that threaten the true spirit of Christmas, with Pepper preying on this struggle.

The film’s main strength lies in the relationships between the very likable family members. Two of the three kids are teenagers wanting to do their own thing, while the parents, especially Dad, thinking they know what’s best for them. The banter between the family is fun and Murphy’s comedic timing is for sure to get a chuckle out of anyone. Thankfully, there are no gender issues or other politically correct stuff stuffed into this film.

Where the film suffers is the third act which introduces a rushed twist that shifts the focus from beating the curse to a frantic race against the clock, accompanied by a surge in chaotic events. This departure from the intimate character moments established earlier in the midst of chaos, especially concerning the children’s significant moments, feels like an overdose of hi-jinks late in the film.

And as the film reaches its crescendo into the expected feel-good Christmas moments, there a slight lack of balance undermines the narrative’s potential depth, diminishing the connection between the Carver family and the resolution of their predicament.

Nevertheless, Eddie Murphy has a way of captivating the audience, and continues to be a joy to watch on screen. Tracee Ellis Ross has her fair share of moments. Jillian Bell shines as Pepper, infusing the character with an eccentric and devious energy.

Genneya Walton, Thaddeus J. Mixson and Madison Thomas lend great support, while Ken Marino, Timothy Simons, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, David Alan Grier, Danielle Pinnock, and D.C. Young Fly add to the hilarity. Chris Redd, Nick Offerman, and Robin Thede add to the intrigue with their animated turns. On the whole, ‘Candy Cane Lane’ is a charming family friendly flick starring a wholesome Eddie Murphy.