Eddie Murphy might just be one of the best Christmas presents this holiday season. The Beverly Hills Cop actor headlines Candy Cane Lane, an ambitious if not fully formed family-friendly comedy that reunites the star with director Reginald Hudlin and producer Brian Grazer for the first time since their 1992 hit, Boomerang. Inspired by screenwriter Kelly Younger’s own holiday experiences on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, California, the film aims high and hits most of its marks. You’ll have to forgive some of its scattered narrative — there's a lot going on in this comedy adventure. It takes a while for Candy Cane Lane to find its true footing, but eventually, Hudlin ties everything up into a nice creative bow.
The plot is festive and often relatable: After being laid off from his job, Chris Carver (Murphy) turns his attention to winning his neighborhood’s annual and lavish Christmas home decoration contest. This doesn’t go as planned, however, as Chris and his entire family suddenly must endure a curious magic spell that begins wreaking havoc on their entire town. Candy Cane Lane also stars Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Jillian Bell (The Drop), Thaddeus J. Mixson (Creed III), Ken Marino (Party Down), and more. Let’s unwrap this thing.
Naughty Is So Nice
Candy Cane Lane
- Release Date
- December 1, 2023
- Director
- Reginald Hudlin
- Cast
- Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Genneya Walton, Thaddeus J. Mixson
- Rating
- PG
- Genres
- Comedy, Christmas, Fantasy
Candy Cane Lane finds its momentum about 30 minutes in. After Chris becomes outsourced by new ownership at his job, his wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross) is primed for a big promotion, but the reversal of fortune sours Chris's mood. A chance encounter at a mysterious holiday pop-up store finds Chris inadvertently making a deal with a sneaky and "naughty" elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell delightfully camping it up) to better his chances of winning his neighborhood decorating contest. He’s been laid off, after all, and the $100,000 prize is a great incentive.
Unfortunately for Chris, Pepper goes rogue. She casts a magic spell on him that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life — Six Geese a Laying, 10 Lords a Leaping, and all that. Much of this creative ploy delivers some of the film’s greatest laughs, and the special effects — particularly with the feathered creatures — are sharp and innovative. It also becomes the film’s biggest hiccup. Initially, there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to how and when these entities from the 12 Days of Christmas come to life. Their random appearance tends to distract from the plot, and there could have been less head-scratching if there was a little more exposition.
One of the most creative and enjoyable parts of the film is the bevy of small porcelain figurines that Pepper traps inside the model Christmas village in her lavish pop-up. These figures are alive and animated in every way. Think: Night at the Museum. In fact, they were once real human beings — everyday folk, like Chris, who were outsmarted by Pepper and then cast into a holiday-like prison. It looks like Chris may be destined for that same fate, to which he moans: “No elf is going to shrink me down into some freaky Christmas person.”
Clever Twists and Surprise Characters
By Eddie Murphy's usual standards, the star is surprisingly grounded amid the frenzy swirling all around him. There’s plenty of over-the-top delight elsewhere and Murphy is tempered here a bit. Seeing Murphy in a more toned-down role like this is surprising and has the breathing room to be a little more enjoyable than his recent fare. Moreover, he and Tracee Ellis Ross are a fine pair as husband and wife. Their children, Joy, Nick, and Holly — Genneya Walton, Thaddeus J. Mixson, and Madison Thomas — are well fleshed out and have their own arcs. The fact that all the first names in the Carver family relate to Christmas is intentional and obviously lends itself to the magical curiosities unfolding here.
Of the figurine people, Nick Offerman, Chris Redd, and Robin Thede would have stood out even if the script hadn’t given them some of the best lines. Redd emerges as the most humorous among this bunch, with Thede close behind. The figurine carolers are a hoot, too, as they randomly break out into song. There’s also great fun to be had when Chris kidnaps the gang, hiding them in his garage.
Other standouts include neighbor Bruce (Ken Marin) and David Alan Grier, who shows up in full Santa mode during the film’s grand climax. The production design throughout the film is exceptional. The Candy Cane Lane neighborhood itself is a vibrant wonderland. As for the overall script, the story manages to find its true footing in its final third, which is filled with all the warm fuzzies that typically befit a holiday tale. The ending is charming and humorous and leaves plenty of room open for a sequel, which may be better streamlined. How about an entire film focused on those trapped porcelain figures in Christmas Town? Maybe in 2024.
In the meantime, enjoy Candy Cane Lane. It’s fun, funny, inventive, filled with feel-good charm, and in time, just might become a holiday classic for some people. A more tightly edited film certainly would've, no doubt. Candy Cane Lane premieres globally on Prime Video on December 1. You can find a link to stream the film below:
Stream on Prime Video
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