Michelle Pfeiffer Shines in Amazon’s Heartwarming Holiday Movie, But Are There Credibility Concerns?
Film Review: "Oh. What. Fun." Lacks Seasonal Magic
The holiday film Oh. What. Fun. has captured attention primarily for its star, Michelle Pfeiffer, but it struggles to maintain the charm one would expect from a Christmas movie. While the film begins with promise, it ultimately falters due to questionable plot decisions in its latter half.
Pfeiffer, well-known for her captivating performances in The Fabulous Baker Boys, French Exit, and Dangerous Liaisons, delivers a heartfelt portrayal of Claire Clauster, a mother navigating the challenges of a dysfunctional family during the festive season. From the outset, Claire’s character is established as a devoted matriarch who yearns for appreciation, especially during her favorite time of year—Christmas. Her overwhelming desire for recognition prompts her to hope her children will submit a letter for the Holiday Mom of the Year contest on the talk show The Zazzy Tims Show, revealing her underlying struggles for validation.
Claire’s children, however, seem preoccupied with their own lives. Channing, played by Felicity Jones, is managing her family responsibilities; Taylor, portrayed by Chloë Grace Moretz, brings a series of partners to family gatherings; and Sammy, acted by Dominic Sessa, grapples with romantic disappointments. As Claire dims in the background, her loving husband, Nick (Denis Leary), remains unaware of her discontent, leaving the audience to ponder her emotional plight during the holiday season.
The story takes a turn when the family embarks on their traditional Christmas Eve outing, forgetting Claire in the process. This misstep leads to her spontaneous decision to embark on a comedic road trip to Hollywood, aiming to crash The Zazzy Tims Show in a bid to win the contest. This sequence of events quickly spirals into absurdity, straying from the believability of Claire’s character—a talented actress now portrayed as merely a figure of comedic farce.
While the film attempts to highlight the often thankless role of a family matriarch, it ultimately risks reducing Claire to a mere stereotype. Despite Pfeiffer’s best efforts to inject nuance into her performance, the script written by director Michael Showalter and Chandler Baker does not support the emotional depth her character deserves. Showalter, known for his work on films like The Big Sick and The Eyes of Tammy Faye, might have stumbled in balancing comedy with the essential heart of a holiday story.
In attempting to weave themes of motherhood with festive humor, Oh. What. Fun. struggles to define its tone. It borrows elements from classic holiday films like Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, yet fails to capture the essential warmth expected from a Christmas movie. As the plot veers into silly territory, even Pfeiffer, a seasoned actress, finds it challenging to fully engage the audience in Claire’s journey.
As the film wraps up, viewers are left with a sense of missed potential. While it offers moments of laughter, the dissonance between Pfeiffer’s performance and the material ultimately hinders its effectiveness as a heartfelt holiday tale.
Title: Oh. What. Fun.
Distributor: Prime Video
Release date: December 3, 2025 (streaming)
Director: Michael Showalter
Screenwriters: Michael Showalter and Chandler Baker
Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, Denis Leary, Felicity Jones, Jason Schwartzman, Chloë Grace Moretz, Eva Longoria, Dominic Sessa, Joan Chen, Danielle Brooks, Havana Rose Liu, Maude Apatow
Rating: PG-13
Running time: 1 hr 47 mins
