With the holiday season in our midst there are well over two dozen Christmas films, comedies, rom-coms and everything in between on their way, and among them is Prime Video’s Candy Cane Lane starring Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross. The two lead the new family comedy as parents Chris and Carol Carver who are participating in their neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. When Chris enlists the help of an elf (Jillian Bell) to gain the upper hand and win, the elf tricks him, bringing the 12 Days of Christmas to life as chaos and hilarity ensue.
Candy Cane Lane marks a reunion between director Reggie Hudlin and star Eddie Murphy, who first collaborated in the 1992 hit Boomerang. In an interview with Actors With Issues, Hudlin revealed that once he learned during a meeting with the folks at Amazon Studios that Murphy was attached to Candy Cane Lane, it was a no-brainer. “They showed me the script and I loved it and when they said Eddie Murphy was attached, I said ‘that’s it! Let’s go to work!’”
The film’s screenwriter Kelly Younger grew up El Segundo, California, the setting of the film, at the very top of the famous Candy Cane Lane which features lavish displays of Christmas lights and decorations every year. “My dad’s a truck driver but he’s such a craftsman and artist, always building things so he’d go over-the-top with the decorations in the front yard, much to my mother’s chagrin.”
“Every year he’d do a new theme and the following year, our neighbors would ask for the hand-me-downs and my dad’s work would start to spread down the street,” Younger explained. “This is a place that’s near and dear to my heart and a love letter to this quirky town of El Segundo. I also wanted to have a Christmas movie set in a place where it doesn’t snow, it’s mostly sand! It’s unique in that way.”
As the 12 Days of Christmas comes to life, the film uses many special effects, from flocks of geese and swans to talking miniatures voiced by Chris Redd, Nick Offerman and Robin Thede and the members of singing group Pentatonix. “Integrating the animated characters along with the live-action was interesting,” explained the film’s director Hudlin. “I’ve done effects before but this was on a much bigger scale. We didn’t want to get too caught up with the technology that would interfere with the actors interacting and all the other good stuff. We kept it fun!”
When we asked what advice they have for actors looking to write or direct, the filmmakers had this to say. “Write your truth, write what you know and what you see,” Younger advised. “If you’re telling the truth, that’s going to be the way that you find your own unique voice.”
“You should try everything. Even if you do it badly, it teaches you a lot. I’ve had friends say ‘Reggie, I want you to act in my movie,’ and I’m terrible! But it gave me a deep respect for actors.” Hudlin added. “Try everything, learn what you’re good at, learn what your weaknesses are and bring people to help you in those areas, but remember and respect that craft, particularly if it’s one that you can’t do.”
Candy Cane Lane premieres Friday, December 1 on Prime Video!
