Oh. What. Fun.<\/strong><\/em> derives its title from the “Jingle Bells” chestnut about the carefree joys of riding in a one-horse open sleigh. But as I watched this well-meaning attempt at Yuletide frivolity, I could not help thinking of the song\u2019s little known second verse: \u201cThe horse was lean and lank\/Misfortune seemed his lot,\/We got into a drifted bank\/And there we got upsot.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
<\/ins>\u00a0 While Oh. What. Fun.<\/strong><\/em> could have been a heartwarming paean to motherhood, the film gets positively slapsticky when the kids, caught up in their own celebrations, inadvertently leave Claire behind in a holiday trip, each thinking their mother is in a different car. Claire eventually makes it to Zazzy\u2019s show in Burbank after various adventures, including a hilarious segment where she is forced to share a motel room with a stranger (another woman). But this all-too-brief attempt at humor is not enough to rescue this labored production from the grinches.<\/p>\r\n Rating: C<\/p>\r\n If you liked the review, share your thoughts below!<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
If anything is to blame for this upsotting film, it is the lean and lank script co-written by Showalter and Chandler Baker from the latter\u2019s original short story. While their script nobly attempts to make the point that mothers are often underappreciated at Christmas, it too often relies on clich\u00e9-ridden and uninspiring voice-over narration to describe what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\r\n![\"Oh.](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Oh.-What.-Fun3.png\")
\u00a9<\/b>Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios
Pfeiffer at least deserves plaudits for her good intentions. \u201cWhen I read the script, I immediately connected with Claire because she represents so many moms who are the unsung heroes of their families especially during the holidays,\u201d Pfeiffer said. \u201cShe’s this incredibly capable person who makes everything look effortless. But inside, she’s yearning to be seen and appreciated. And what I really loved is that this isn’t just another holiday movie. It’s really a story about self-discovery and finding your voice all wrapped up in this wonderful [sic] comedy.\u201d
The narrative centers on the aptly named Clauster family, consisting of husband Nick (Denis Leary), his wife Claire (Jennifer Pfeiffer) and their three grown children, played by Felicity Jones, Chlo\u00eb Grace Moretz, and Dominic Sessa. Claire is plagued by an obsessive desire to celebrate the holidays, and feels ignored when her family neglects to promote her cause by singing her praises in a Best Holiday Mom contest run by her heroine, Zazzy Tims (Eva Longoria). The prize is an all-expense trip to Burbank to appear on the show\u2014remember “Queen for a Day”?<\/p>\r\n<\/ins>\r\n![\"Oh.](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Oh.-What.-Fun2.png\")
\u00a9<\/b>Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios<\/p>\r\n