"Oh. What. Fun." finally recognizes moms' importance during Christmas

Every Christmas, many of us remember the childhood urge to demand the perfect gifts. Some of us meticulously crafted lists with prices, store names, and even hyperlinks to make sure our parents had no excuse. Amid the chaos of holiday programs, homework, and family duties, these reminders often made parents feel more overwhelmed than festive. Looking back, those little demands might have made us seem like tiny holiday terrors.

Michael Showalters new Prime Video holiday film, Oh. What. Fun., flips this scenario, centering on the mothers who actually shoulder the seasons workload. Michelle Pfeiffer plays Claire, a mother devoted to creating the perfect Christmas for her grown childrenChanning (Felicity Jones), Taylor (Chlo Grace Moretz), and Sammy (Dominic Sessa)largely without support from her husband, Nick (Denis Leary). Having orchestrated countless flawless holidays, Claire hopes to enter a festive contest hosted by talk-show personality Zazzy Tims (Eva Longoria), but theres a catch: only children can nominate their mothers. Despite hints and reminders, Claires children overlook this simple wish, leaving her unacknowledged in her own holiday plans.

The star-studded Oh. What. Fun. is unapologetically targeted at moms seeking a relatable holiday experience. Early in the film, Claire remarks on the lack of Christmas movies about mothers, highlighting a cultural gap. Indeed, most festive films focus on fathers, children, or other archetypes, while moms often remain in the background, even in classics like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Showalters film seeks to celebrate mothers efforts and the emotional labor they contribute year-round.

The movies charm lies in its attention to detail and heartfelt performances. Pfeiffers Claire navigates her festively decorated home, complete with glowing lights and playful yard inflatables, while dealing with her self-absorbed children who overlook the depth of her efforts. The contrast between Claires joy and her childrens indifference sets up both comedic and touching moments, culminating in Claire taking charge in a decisive moment that leaves her family behind on the road to a holiday event.

Although the film occasionally keeps Claires frustrations more restrained than the situation might warrant, it regains momentum as she embraces small rebellions, like enjoying wine and holiday treats, and ultimately appearing on the Zazzy Tims show. Showalters signature emotional beats shine through, especially in heartfelt exchanges between Claire and Channing, which provide the films emotional core and reflect the real dynamics of family holiday tensions.

At its heart, Oh. What. Fun. is a reminder of the importance of recognizing and appreciating mothers. It explores how we communicate our needs and extend grace for the imperfections of family life. While not flawless, the film resonates with anyone who transforms into a holiday demanding child, knowingly or not, and delivers a warm, relatable story for mothers everywhere.

Author: Lucas Grant