Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without all the moms who work so hard to make the holiday beautiful and joyous. Moms do the shopping, decorating, wrapping, planning, and most make it all look so easy. Seldom do they hear those three little words: “Can I help?” They shoulder the bulk of the burden and, when things don’t work out, the blame. What’s a mom to do? In Claire’s case, she packs her bags and leaves.
In the run up to Christmas at the Clauster’s Houston home, Claire texts her three adult children with one request. She wants to be nominated for the Best Holiday Mom prize on her favorite show, The Zazzy Tims Show. The winner receives an all expense paid trip to Burbank and appears on the show. Not only do her children ignore her request (moms aren’t allowed to nominate themselves), but they forget to take her along when they leave to see a dance show.
Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Michelle Pfeiffer, Felicity Jones, Jason Schwartzman, Devery Jacobs (Photo Credit: Alisha Wetherill/Prime)
Upset and hurt that she’s been ignored, Claire decides to drive to California herself. When the family finds her missing they try, unsuccessfully, to carry on with Christmas, each suffering pangs of guilt. Channing (Felicity Jones) had told Claire that next year she, her husband, Doug (Jason Schwartzman) and their two children would be going skiing, rather than coming to Houston. Middle child, Taylor (Chloë Grace Moretz) and the youngest, Sammy (Dominic Sessa) were suffering romantic breakups and spent their time brooding rather than spending time with their mother.
While Christmas is the focal point, communication doesn’t seem top be a priority in the Clauster family. Channing, a successful novelist, tries to talk with Claire about having writer’s block with her latest book. Rather than listening, Claire dismisses Channing’s fears, falling back on the “everything will be fine” comeback, sure to shut down any further discussion. Taylor brings a different woman home each holiday, so Claire, and everyone else, spends no time getting to know the latest love interest, knowing the relationship won’t last. And Claire consoles Sammy with all the cliches most mons know all too well – “you’re great,” “she’s not worth it,” “you’ll find someone else.”
Michelle Pfeiffer (Photo Credit: Alisha Wetherill/Prime)
Even Claire’s husband, Nick (Denis Leary) can’t seem to get her attention. Yes, Claire is doing all the hard work, but is all that decorating, cooking, and planning what Christmas is really about? When she’s annoyed by her “perfect” neighbor, Jeanne (Joan Chen), Claire gets the pump and blows up all those inflated holiday characters that should be banned, not only in Houston, but everywhere. They are the perfect metaphor for Claire’s misplaced feelings about the holiday – she’s focused on the big picture and ignoring the small moments that really matter.
We miss Michelle Pfeiffer and while Oh.What.Fun isn’t going to win her any accolades, she still dominates the screen. The supporting cast is better than this script deserves. But the theme is one that everyone can relate to. Yes, moms work too hard to make Christmas happen. But make sure that what really matters, spending time with those we love and really listening to them, doesn’t get lost in the flashing lights.
Top photo: Alisha Wetherill/Prime
