The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but for some, it's a different story. 'Oh. What. Fun.' is a movie that attempts to shed light on the struggles of a mother during the festive season, yet falls short of leaving a lasting impression. But is it a forgettable film, or is there more to uncover beneath the surface?
The film stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Claire, a mother who is on the brink of a breakdown during Christmas. Her family, including her grown-up children (Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Dominic Sessa) and supportive but unhelpful husband (Denis Leary), seems oblivious to her efforts. Claire juggles the endless tasks of cooking, cleaning, and organizing, all while trying to maintain a cheerful atmosphere. But her family's lack of appreciation pushes her to a breaking point.
Here's where it gets interesting: Claire, feeling unappreciated, decides to take a spontaneous trip, leaving her suburban life behind without a word. The movie, however, fails to capitalize on this intriguing setup. Despite a talented cast, including Danielle Brooks, Joan Chen, Maude Apatow, Rose Abdoo, and Eva Longoria, the film opts for a generic and rushed narrative.
The opening scene sets the tone with Claire's interaction at a gas station, where she tells some children to appreciate their mother more. This leads to a voiceover about the lack of holiday movies centered around mothers, a theme the film attempts to address. But even this noble intention falls flat as the movie struggles to find its footing.
A controversial take? Director Michael Showalter, co-writing with Chandler Baker, aims for a lighthearted approach, but the result is a film that feels unsure of its own premise. The characters are one-dimensional, each assigned a single issue or flaw, and the family dynamics lack depth. The eldest daughter, Channing (Jones), is married to Doug (Jason Schwartzman), who desperately seeks approval from his sister-in-law, Taylor (Moretz), a character who comes across as simply mean. The youngest son, Sessa, is underemployed and recently single, and the grandchildren are barely present.
Claire's Christmas wish is for her family to enter her into a contest to meet her idol, daytime talk show host Zazzy Tims (Longoria). When she realizes her family has forgotten her yet again, she takes matters into her own hands and embarks on a road trip to Burbank to crash the Zazzy Tims show. Showalter tries to mirror the classic 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' journey, but the attempt falls short, and the potential for a heartwarming buddy adventure is lost.
The film's underutilization of its talented cast is a missed opportunity. Schwartzman, as Claire's son-in-law, and Chen, as the 'perfect' neighbor, are both reduced to one-note characters. Interestingly, the movie unintentionally aligns with a recent trend in cinema: mothers on the edge, as seen in films like 'Die My Love' with Jennifer Lawrence, 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' with Rose Byrne, and 'Hamnet' with Jessie Buckley. Even Teyana Taylor's character in 'One Battle After Another' could fit this mold.
While 'Oh. What. Fun.' aims to be a lighthearted comedy, it fails to deliver a meaningful message. It's as if the filmmakers settled for a hastily written script, leaving viewers wanting more. And this is the part most people miss: Is this a commentary on the lack of appreciation for mothers, or a missed opportunity to explore a deeper theme?
So, is 'Oh. What. Fun.' worth your time? Well, that's for you to decide. With a PG-13 rating and a runtime of 106 minutes, it might be a quick watch, but will it leave a lasting impression? The verdict is out, and the comments section awaits your thoughts.
