‘Oh. What. Fun.’ Review: Michelle Pfeiffer Mocks Holiday Cheer in a Lackluster Tribute to Undervalued Mothers

At first glance, Oh. What. Fun. seems like a promising holiday release for Prime Video: Michelle Pfeiffer leads a cast of familiar faces under the direction of Michael Showalter, promising a heartfelt tale centered on the rarely spotlighted perspective of mothers, complemented by a soundtrack featuring festive songs from well-known artists. Yet, the film struggles to deliver, offering uninspired comedy, irritating characters, and predictable conflicts, leaving viewers longing for the darker, more nuanced story hinted at beneath the glossy, overly polished surface.

Set in Houston, Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer) lives for Christmas. Obsessed with every aspect of the season, she dreams year-round of creating perfect holiday experiences. Her husband, Nick (Denis Leary), indulges her passion without question, while Claire delights in organizing family celebrations for their grown children.

The holiday gathering begins with eldest daughter Channing (Felicity Jones), her husband Doug (Jason Schwartzman), and their twins, Lucy (Rafaella Karnaby) and Ben (Drake Shehan). Next is youngest son Sammy (Dominic Sessa), recently heartbroken, and middle child Taylor (Chlo Grace Moretz), who arrives with her latest girlfriend, Devery Jacobs. The family dynamics take a turn when Claire realizes none of her children has given her the heartfelt gift she secretly wanted: an entry in a Best Holiday Mom contest, which would also earn her a chance to meet her self-help idol, Zazzy Tims (Eva Longoria).

Claires disappointment manifests in passive-aggressive interactions with her neighbor Jeanne Wang-Wasserman (Joan Chen) and escalates when her family forgets her on a city outing, sparking chaotic events that are meant to be comedic but rarely land.

Showalter, experienced in directing female-led films, focuses on Claires anxieties through voiceover narration, highlighting her frustrations and the subtle slights she endures. Pfeiffer portrays Claires internal struggle convincingly, yet the weak script, co-written with Chandler Baker, undermines her performance early on. The film fails to give real depth to Claires unraveling, as her questionable actionslike fat-shaming her daughter, shoplifting, and sneaking onto a studio lotlack meaningful consequences.

By the films third act, Claires emotional journey is underdeveloped. Her self-awareness of the toxic patterns she perpetuates is minimal, while other characters face no real accountability for their selfish behavior. The comedic elements, including a mall security chase, an abrasive delivery driver, and Zazzy Tims unconventional therapy session, often feel forced. Subplots, such as Doug trying to bond with Taylor and Sammys choreographed dance, are awkward and uninspired. The only moments of genuine humor arise from a dad struggling to assemble a complex toy for his kids.

Where the film shines is in its fleeting embrace of its darker, unconventional potential. The soundtrack, blending 80s hits and yacht rock classics with quirky cover versions, offers a refreshing twist on holiday music. Though reminiscent of films like The Family Stone and Happiest Season, Showalters attempt ultimately feels closer to a stretched sketch than a fully realized holiday comedy. The premisea stressed mom having a meltdown while pursuing her idolis ripe for indie comedy, but the films cheerful, high-profile production smooths over its darker, more interesting edges.

In the end, Oh. What. Fun. struggles to live up to its title, delivering a polished but uninspired holiday tale that underutilizes Michelle Pfeiffers talents and misses an opportunity to explore the complexities of a mothers experience during the festive season.

Author: Maya Henderson