Oh. What. Fun. Parent Guide

“Don’t Get Your Tinsel in a Twist” says the pillow on the Clausters’ couch. It’s good advice: Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer) is well and truly wound up over the failure of her family to do the one thing she’s asked for this Christmas. A devoted fan of the Zazzy Time TV show, Claire desperately wants to be nominated for the Holiday Moms Contest. She’s spent weeks sending the contest link to her three kids, but even that unsubtle hint might not be enough.

Her family’s lack of appreciation isn’t uncommon but it’s noteworthy because Claire is no minimalist mom. She goes all out with home-baked goods, thoughtful surprises, elaborate décor, and clever ideas for her Elf on a Shelf. Frankly, watching Claire whirl through her elaborate Christmas plans exhausts me.

As it turns out, even a holly, jolly mom like Claire has a breaking point. When her family pushes her too far, she snaps and heads off to achieve her Christmas dream, with hilarious results.

Oh. What. Fun. is a movie that will hit a chord with every burned-out mom who’s juggling gifts, cookie bakes, school concerts, and visiting relatives, and who is expected to feel cheery and festive while doing so. Heaven knows we need a movie that recognizes moms who are slowly unraveling under the pressure and puts a comic spin on the seasonal insanity. Unfortunately, Oh. What. Fun. is not that film. Yes, it has funny moments, but it also feels confused and overlong. (The whole Planes, Trains & Automobiles bit should have been left on the cutting room floor.) The story also treads a fine line between validating women and throwing a pity party: when it does the former, the movie is freeing and funny, when it slides into the latter it just feels painful.

In addition to its tonal problems, this script also contains totally unnecessary negative content. Once again, I’m reviewing a film that could easily have earned a PG rating had it ditched superfluous negative content. There are frequent scenes of main characters drinking alcohol (sometimes to the point of intoxication) and smoking both cigarettes and marijuana. There are also unnecessary sexual conversations and pointless profanity. There’s even a shoplifting episode that’s treated as comic fodder instead of as a criminal activity and large red flag.

My complaints aside, there will certainly be an appreciative audience for this film. Frazzled moms will laugh, feel seen, and maybe reassess their holiday workloads. (Or just chuck the whole thing.) And even viewers like me who are frustrated with the movie’s flaws will nod vigorously when Claire shares the three magic words of Christmas…..”Can I help?”

About author

Kirsten Hawkes

Kirsten Hawkes has a BA in Political Science and English and has worked in international development and medical education and marketing. Kirsten enjoys reading, watching movies, and debating politics with her husband and sometimes unwilling children.