Watching a Christmas film typically is a cosy ride, where the narrative gently tugs at your heartstrings, culminating in a feel-good crescendo. I love this cinematic formula, reminiscent of the timeless It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), which is often a safe bet. However, the recent Edie Murphy starrer Candy Cane Lane (2023) left much to be desired. The film was neither in the fantasy bracket nor elicited humour, it was a swing and a miss. Available on Amazon Prime, but Mangoidiots recommends you give this one a pass, stamping it with our ‘rotten’ verdict.
The film narrates the tale of a quintessential family – a loving father, his wife and their three kids. The father suddenly loses his job the day before Christmas and he wishes to make it up to his family by decorating his house the best and winning the local TV prize. Did things go as planned?
Interwoven in this narrative is a peculiar twist, of problems from an elf of Santa Claus who has gone rogue, but the question is why does she try so hard to create trouble even when she seems to have extraordinary magical powers.
Eddie Murphy as Chris Carver, Tracee Ellis Ross as Carol Carver and their onscreen kids
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