In the new holiday film "Oh. What. Fun.", Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Claire, a stressed-out mom facing the challenges of family gatherings during Christmas. The film, which is now available for streaming on Prime Video as of December 3, presents a lighthearted yet critical look at the overlooked efforts of mothers amidst holiday chaos. However, despite its promising setup, the film fails to fully utilize its talented cast and unique premise.
Claire finds herself overwhelmed by her grown children's (played by Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Dominic Sessa) lack of appreciation for her efforts. Meanwhile, her husband (Denis Leary) offers support but falls short in practical assistance. Claire operates as a one-woman show, juggling the burdens of cooking, cleaning, and planning to ensure her family's holiday is enjoyable. Her frustrations reach a tipping point following a particularly insensitive incident, prompting her to leave her suburban life and pursue her own desires for a change.
Despite its potential, Oh. What. Fun. ultimately opts for a generic narrative trajectory. Claire begins the film at a so-called “low point,” where she expresses her frustrations to children in a neighboring car at a gas station, leading to a voiceover that sets a self-deprecating tone for the movie. The film attempts to advocate for the recognition of mothers' contributions during the holidays, though its execution lacks depth and nuance.
The film's director, Michael Showalter, along with co-writer Chandler Baker, aims for a light-hearted tone throughout. However, this approach results in a screenplay that glosses over deeper familial connections and character chemistry. The characters are presented with oversimplified problems, which does not allow for authentic interactions or connections among family members. For instance, Claire's oldest daughter Channing (Felicity Jones) struggles with her marriage to Doug (Jason Schwartzman), who is desperate for her younger sister Taylor (Moretz) to see him in a positive light, despite her cruel tendencies.
The narrative escalates when Claire wishes for her family to submit her as a contestant to meet her beloved talk show host Zazzy Tims (played by Eva Longoria). However, she realizes that her family is attending an event she organized without her, making her feel unnoticed and undervalued. Consequently, instead of joining them, she seizes an opportunity to drive to Burbank in an attempt to attend the Zazzy Tims show, setting the stage for her road trip adventure.
While attempting to create a journey reminiscent of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, the film fails to fully commit to the buddy comedy format when Claire and another character, played by Danielle Brooks, quickly part ways rather than exploring their shared experiences. Moreover, the film does not make adequate use of the vast talent at its disposal, failing to effectively utilize Schwartzman's character or give a substantial role to Joan Chen, who plays a stereotypical perfect neighbor.
Interestingly, Oh. What. Fun. unintentionally taps into a broader cinematic moment in which female characters are portrayed as struggling under immense pressure. This year has seen other films featuring mothers in crisis, highlighting their emotional turmoil. However, while lighter narratives can provide much-needed relief, the film’s treatment of the subject matter feels rushed and minimally considerate—like a hastily written birthday card lacking in sincerity and thoughtfulness.
Overall, Oh. What. Fun. offers a holiday-themed tale that, despite its intentions to shine a light on maternal struggles, ultimately comes off as superficial and disconnected. With a running time of 106 minutes, the film is rated PG-13 and leaves viewers yearning for more substantial storytelling that aligns with its core themes.
