A Mom's Christmas Meltdown: The Unforgivable 'Oh. What. Fun.'
A holiday film that promises a fresh take on family dynamics, but ultimately falls flat.
In the new movie 'Oh. What. Fun.,' Michelle Pfeiffer portrays a mom, Claire, who's at her wit's end during the festive season. Her character's sarcastic tone and the title's punctuation hint at a not-so-merry Christmas story.
Claire's adult children, played by Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Dominic Sessa, seem oblivious to their mother's efforts. Her husband, Denis Leary, offers support but falls short of being truly helpful. Claire feels like a one-woman show, tirelessly managing the holiday preparations and keeping up appearances, all while feeling unappreciated.
But here's where it gets controversial: Claire's frustration reaches a boiling point when her family overlooks her during a planned event. She decides to take a stand and do something for herself, escaping her suburban prison and embarking on a solo journey.
While the premise seems intriguing, 'Oh. What. Fun.' fails to deliver on its potential. With a talented cast, including Danielle Brooks, Joan Chen, Maude Apatow, Rose Abdoo, and Eva Longoria, the movie opts for a generic approach, missing an opportunity to explore deeper themes.
Streaming on Prime Video, the film opens with a low point for Claire, a stay-at-home mom in Texas. Her outburst at a gas station, urging children to be kinder to their exhausted mother, reflects her own struggles. The movie quickly apologizes for Claire's moment of honesty, setting the tone for its lack of commitment to its own story.
And this is the part most people miss: Claire's wish for a movie about the true holiday heroes - moms. While her examples might be debatable, the intention is clear. But 'Oh. What. Fun.' seems embarrassed by its own premise, rushing through the plot and failing to let the talented cast shine.
Director Michael Showalter, co-writer Chandler Baker, and their team seem hesitant to fully embrace the silly premise. The characters are reduced to one-dimensional problems, lacking the depth of familial connections.
Channing (Jones), the eldest, is married to Doug (Jason Schwartzman), who desperately seeks approval from his younger sister-in-law, Taylor (Moretz). Taylor, a serial monogamist, is mean to Doug, creating an awkward dynamic. Sessa, the youngest, is underemployed and recently dumped, adding to the family's tensions.
Claire's Christmas wish is simple: to meet her favorite daytime talk show host, Zazzy Tims (Longoria). But her family fails to understand, and the breaking point comes when they leave for an event without her. Instead of joining them, Claire decides to crash the Zazzy Tims show, turning her road trip into a 'Planes, Trains, and Automobiles'-style journey.
Showalter's attempt at a buddy trip falls short, with the movie barely committing to its own comedic potential. The restrained use of talented actors like Schwartzman and Chen feels like a missed opportunity.
In a year where cinematic mothers are portrayed in extreme states, 'Oh. What. Fun.' accidentally taps into this trend. From Jennifer Lawrence's feral performance in 'Die My Love' to Rose Byrne's waking nightmare in 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,' the portrayal of mothers in distress is a recurring theme.
While lighter versions are welcome, 'Oh. What. Fun.' feels like a rushed attempt at a heartfelt tribute to moms. It's akin to receiving a hastily written card on your birthday - a gesture that lacks thought and sincerity.
'Oh. What. Fun.' is an Amazon MGM Studios release, streaming on Dec. 3. Rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association, it runs for 106 minutes and receives a disappointing two stars out of four.
What do you think? Is 'Oh. What. Fun.' a missed opportunity, or does it offer a unique take on holiday films? Share your thoughts in the comments!
