Candy Cane Lane – Film Review
Published December 2, 2023
Movie Details
Every Christmas season, audiences crave films that stoke the embers of their holiday spirit. Unfortunately, Candy Cane Lane tends to leave us in the cold rather than envelop us in a blanket of holiday cheer.
Directed by Reginald Hudlin and written by Kelly Younger, Candy Cane Lane aims to combine Christmas comedy and suspense into one festive feast. In theory, the narrative of a competitive neighborhood Christmas decoration contest soured by the interference of a villainous elf could make for an entertaining Yuletide viewing experience. The reality, however, proves otherwise.
Eddie Murphy takes the lead as Chris Carver, the competitive homeowner desperate to win the coveted award of ‘Best Decorated Home’ for Christmas. Murphy’s comedic brilliance is irrefutable, but even his impeccable comedic timing seems misplaced in this whimsical Christmas tale. Despite Murphy’s efforts, his character comes off as pitiable rather than charming or funny, and his intense desire to win the contest makes it hard to sympathize with him.
Tracee Ellis Ross plays the part of Carol Carver, Chris’s spouse. While Ross makes every effort to inject life into Carol, the script’s minimal character development doesn’t leave her with much to work with. A narrative arc with some tension or development between Carol and Chris could have served to deepen the film’s impact.
The role of the devious elf Pepper is portrayed by Jillian Bell. She provides the film with most of its whimsy, relishing the character’s chaotic energy and inherent evil. Bell does the best she can with the role but is sadly let down by weak writing. What should have been an all-out villainous performance becomes less than memorable.
The storyline certainly delivers some intriguing twists. The subplot of residents turning into glass Christmas figurines has an ominous and fascinating hook. Yet, the execution of these twists becomes predictable and repetitive. In what should have been tension-filled scenes, the predictable nature of Pepper’s devious acts dulls any sense of surprise or thrill.
Candy Cane Lane is not entirely devoid of redeeming factors, however. Some of the jokes land quite well, and there’s no denying the inherent charm that comes with the neighborhood’s extravagant Christmas decorations. Furthermore, the star-studded cast does manage to create a few heartwarming moments.
Another shining beacon in the film is Thaddeus J. Mixon, who delivers a natural performance as Chris’s young son. Mixon shines amongst his experienced co-stars and brings a sense of genuine emotion to his scenes. Other support from David Alan Grier, Nick Offerman, and Ken Marino creates additional pockets of enjoyable moments but, they can’t ultimately salvage the film.
The special effects deserve an honorable mention for delivering an all-out visual treat. From twinkling Christmas lights to the magical transformations, it certainly provides the viewers with plenty of holiday spectacle. If only as much attention had been paid to the screenplay as to the visual design, Candy Cane Lane could have been an unforgettable Christmas movie.
Overall, despite its interesting premise, Candy Cane Lane fails to fully embrace either the heartwarming cheer or comedic brilliance that are crucial to successful Christmas comedies. Murphy’s slapstick humour and Bell’s mischief are noteworthy, but the weak script and an unconvincing storyline sadly strip away the potential magic. Even with moments of laughter and awe-inspiring Christmas decor, Candy Cane Lane ultimately feels more like a stale candy cane rather than the fresh, peppermint delight one might expect.
While it’s certainly not a must-watch this Christmas season, it could be a suitable choice if you’ve exhausted all other festive movie options. Just remember to set your expectations as modestly as you would hang the humble candy cane on your Christmas tree.