Pfeiffer's Holiday Road Trip: Comedy or Crisis?

Michelle Pfeiffer delivers a captivating performance as Claire Clauster in 'Oh. What. Fun.', a mother feeling overlooked, especially during the holidays. Her adult children, preoccupied with their own lives, fail to acknowledge her desire for recognition. This sets the stage for a dramatic turn when Claire is inadvertently left behind by her family during their Christmas Eve outing.

What follows is a spontaneous, albeit implausible, road trip from Texas to Hollywood, driven by Claire's quest to appear on 'The Zazzy Tims Show'. Despite facing numerous setbacks, including a towed car and an overnight stay with strangers, she miraculously reaches the studio for a live taping. This part of the narrative, however, strains believability, presenting Pfeiffer as overly invested in a dated daytime show concept.

While the film attempts to highlight the unappreciated role of mothers, its latter half veers into overly comedic territory, struggling to balance heart and humor. Director Michael Showalter, known for acclaimed films, aims for holiday classic tones but falls short, leaving the audience questioning the plot's logic despite Pfeiffer's best efforts to ground the character.