Christmas on Candy Cane Lane

The Christmas on Candy Cane Lane writers went for absurdity and touching in the same movie, and they never sold me on either mode.

When you have a film where you're relieved when one character isn't in a scene, that's a bad sign. And not because you have a bad guy you don't like but just because the character is constantly annoying.

The whole subplot about "vandalizing candy canes" by moving them around was a non-starter for me. It wasn't serious enough to raise concern, nor funny enough to be amusing.

On the sentimental side, we have divorced parents coming to terms over their daughter and possibly becoming close again and an accused prankster who clearly isn't going to be the culprit.

More than halfway in, I looked over at my wife and said, "At an hour and sixteen minutes into the movie, I'm thinking it should have established SOMETHING I care about." Oops, and just after that Miss Annoying Neighbor walked into another scene to ruin it. We didn't turn it off but probably should have.

I'm not sure what's going on with IMDB but this is the third time I've written and submitted a review for this movie that did not go through and just disappeared???

On to the review. I started watching this movie and it just didn't click with me so I stopped watching half an hour into it. I did not delete it from my DVR because I figured I might try watching it the next day, maybe I wasn't enjoying it because I was tired and cranky, well I did start watching it again this afternoon and I ended up really enjoying it.

While the acting wasn't Oscar worthy it was pretty good a few actors were even excellent in their roles.

The messages were clear, it was about family, traditions, friendships, not judging, healing, forgiveness, love, and of course Christmas. Everything was decked out beautifully for Christmas! Loved the Santa dinosaur lol

This movie had romance, humor, and some warm and tender moments, it had me shed a tear or two that's how I know it's a very good movie when it can literally move me to tears! I will definitely watch this again next year. It's definitely worth watching at least once.

I do have a large gripe to pick with IMDB and GAC network. There are 3 African Americans that have huge roles in this movie, they actually had about equal time throughout the movie as the three that are supposedly the main characters but their pictures nor their names are listed anywhere!! I checked here, on the GAC network, online, and even on my DVR nope not listed. That really, really makes me mad! My favorite character and the best actor of the bunch was the Handyman but I don't know what his name is because he's not listed! What is up with that??

Christmas On Candy Cane Lane (2022) -

I did not like Andrea Barber in the lead role of Ivy, but Dan Payne was much better in his role of Rob and certainly more charming than his character was in 'How To Fall In Love By Christmas' (2023).

I didn't think that the two actors worked together either. I could understand why Rob had left her, because it's all very well being a strong independent woman, but independence is knowing when to ask for and accept help.

Dan was just so fricking hot though! I'd like to sit on his lap as Santa or not. Those eyes and that softly spoken voice - Yum!

The cranky neighbour Mrs. Walters (BJ Harrison) was way over the top. It was almost as if they wrote her in to give the actor something to do and there were a few others playing the ham and cheese a bit heavily too.

Actually the whole film seemed to be much more of an ensemble piece anyway, with lots of characters to potentially fall in love or cause problem and I liked the fact that to start with I didn't know who was going to end up with who for a change, although I did of course have my suspicions.

I do find it hard to see the fascination in something as specific as the light display event shown in this film, because it doesn't really happen here in the UK, where we might drive around and point out houses, but would never make a beeline for a certain avenue or cul de sac draped in lights or get out and wander around, mostly because light displays rarely appear on more than about 30% of houses and I don't feel the need to ooh and aah up close. Maybe I would if there were some planned arrangements with more than just lights like in this films case, but I'd probably still be one of only a few.

As for the actual story itself, sadly it wasn't comedy enough to be good for its humour and it wasn't serious enough otherwise. If they'd made it a proper comedy it might have worked better, because otherwise it just became a bit of a farce, with relationship issues thrown in as an attempt to create balance.

It wasn't the worst I've seen or ever will, but I felt that it could have worked better with a little bit more thought all round.

6.01/10.

If not for Dan Payne, this wouldn't be worth the time it takes to watch. I'm not sure who decided Andrea Barber could carry the lead in a movie, but they were wrong. She is cute, and would be fine in a supporting role. It actually looks as if they are trying to hide a pregnancy, but at 46, I think she is too old for that.

The movie tries to be heart-warming but just doesn't get there. At times it goes for silly, and doesn't quite make that work either.

Dan and Andrea have zero chemistry as a divorced couple trying to keep things good for their teen daughter as the holidays approach.

Throw in an obnoxious neighbor, a prankster, a female cop dealing with the tragic death of her fiancé, and a veteran trying to woo her, and you end up up with 90 minutes of meh.

One of the worst I've seen from GAF.

This is so hectoring and hard to take seriously. I gather this is intended to be a "film with a moral" but, if you want to produce a film that extols the virtues of reconciliation and renewal, you do need to write a believable screenplay.

I really struggled to see Rob (played by Dan Payne) as a well-rounded and consistent character. If someone had been through a traumatic experience, wouldn't he have at least shown some small amount of nervousness about jumping back in the deep end?

Since this is really built on the past, present and future of the relationship between Rob and Ivy (played by Andrea Barber), it fails to enthrall because the way their relationship evolves is simply implausible. So, all in all, a real dud of a Christmas film.