A Review of 'Oh. What. Fun.'
'Oh. What. Fun.' is a holiday film that stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Claire, a mom on the edge during Christmas. The movie explores Claire's struggles with her family, who don't appreciate her efforts, and her husband's lack of support. Claire's frustration reaches a breaking point when she realizes her family has planned an event without her, leading her to take a spontaneous road trip to meet her favorite daytime talk show host, Zazzy Tims.
Despite its promising premise and talented cast, including Danielle Brooks, Joan Chen, Maude Apatow, Rose Abdoo, and Eva Longoria in cameo roles, the film falls short. The story lacks depth and fails to fully utilize the potential of its setup. Claire's desire for a break from her thankless labor and the exploration of her relationship with her family could have been more compelling.
The movie begins with a seemingly low point for Claire, where she lectures children in a neighboring car about being nicer to their exhausted mother. This moment sets the tone for the film's light and breezy approach, but it also highlights the lack of depth in the characters and their interactions. The film's attempt to turn Claire's road trip into a buddy trip with Danielle Brooks falls flat, and the characters' flaws and problems are not fully developed.
'Oh. What. Fun.' also taps into the cinematic zeitgeist of mothers on the edge, with references to other films like 'Die My Love,' 'If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,' 'Hamnet,' and 'One Battle After Another.' However, the film's light and superficial treatment of Claire's struggles falls short of the depth and emotional impact of these other works.
In conclusion, 'Oh. What. Fun.' is a forgettable holiday film that fails to fully utilize its talented cast and promising premise. While it may appeal to some, it is not a thoughtful or engaging exploration of the complexities of motherhood and family dynamics.
Rating: Two stars out of four.
