Eddie Murphy Struggles to Shine in Amazon's Holiday Flick 'Candy Cane Lane'

2023-12-02 14:37:04

Eddie Murphy's 'Candy Cane Lane' Falls Short on Holiday Cheer on Amazon Prime

Starring in the holiday flick 'Candy Cane Lane,' Eddie Murphy is akin to wielding too much firepower for a simple task. The film—a rather unremarkable Christmas offering—sees Murphy bring a sparkle to Amazon Prime, yet the presence of such a big star feels like an overstated luxury for such a straightforward goal.

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Eddie Murphy's character, Chris, is enticed by an alluring bargain offered by a cunning elf, played by Jillian Bell. This turns out to be a pact loaded with unforeseen consequences, a classic case of "always read the fine print."

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Throughout the story, Chris’ pact remains a secret from his wife (Tracee Ellis Ross) and their children, who are each grappling with their own challenges related to Chris' overpowering nature. The family dynamic unfolds with comedic and heartfelt consequences as they confront personal dreams and family expectations.

Reginald Hudlin takes the helm as director, bringing back his synergy with Murphy since their last collaboration on "Boomerang" over three decades ago. 'Candy Cane Lane' throws in a smidgen of humor regarding Christmas festivities under the California sun, including a notable scene where Murphy's character, a dedicated USC supporter, is horrified by his daughter's potential athletic scholarship from Notre Dame.

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Despite these moments, the film largely stumbles through the festive season, struggling to conjure even a flicker of holiday spirit. Its by-the-books approach to Christmas magic makes even the final outtakes sequence fall flat, unable to elicit a giggle.

In what seems to be a transition into paternal roles, Murphy has taken on a series of less than remarkable projects, such as 'You People' and the long-awaited 'Coming 2 America.' It's a change of pace that, while understandable, hasn't quite captured his comedic and dramatic prowess as 'Dolemite is My Name' or 'Dreamgirls' once did.

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In the giving spirit of the holiday season, one might consider 'Candy Cane Lane' a tolerable addition to the myriad of Christmas films released yearly. However, it struggles to make much of an impact, barely generating enough enthusiasm to "keep the lights on."

'Candy Cane Lane' is available starting December 1 on Amazon Prime Video. The movie is suitable for general audiences with a PG rating.

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