Michelle Pfeiffer Leads Star-Studded Cast In Heartfelt Ode To Moms In Oh. What. Fun.

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In the film Oh. What. Fun., Michelle Pfeiffer plays Claire Clauster, a mother who feels overwhelmed and considers abandoning her family. The movie, based on a short story by Chandler Baker, centers around Claire’s decision to take a spontaneous road trip after a particularly difficult year, despite always going above and beyond to make Christmas special for her large family. At its heart, the film explores the emotional struggles within a dysfunctional family.

When Claire goes missing, her family starts searching for her while also confronting their own flaws and realizing they often took her for granted. The film features a talented cast including Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dominic Sessa, Denis Leary, Maude Apatow, Devery Jacobs, and Jason Schwartzman.

Before the release of the film on Prime Video, ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender spoke with stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Felicity Jones, as well as co-writer, director, and producer Michael Showalter, about Oh. What. Fun. When discussing the relationship between Pfeiffer’s character, Claire, and Jones’ Channing, the three-time Oscar nominee explained that both women feel ignored and undervalued by each other. She added that this is largely because Claire struggles to accept change and allow things to develop naturally.

Michelle Pfeiffer believes her character is stuck in the past, which creates conflict with Channing’s character. This prevents Channing from growing and making her own decisions. However, both characters do experience some development throughout the story.

Showalter, thinking about working with Jones and Pfeiffer—who called Oh. What. Fun. a “love letter to mothers”—realized the movie isn’t just about moms, but also about how children grow up and eventually “become our own parents.” She explained that whether people are starting their own families or living independently, everyone eventually “replaces the parent at a certain point,” taking the lessons they’ve learned and applying them to their own lives.

As a critic, I found Showalter’s take on growing up particularly poignant. He describes it as a ‘bittersweet transition’ – that universal feeling of wanting to become the adult and create your own traditions, especially around the holidays. With Oh. What. Fun., he’s really exploring that. He’s hinted that the film has a lovely surprise: you’ll discover Claire isn’t always the one with all the answers. Apparently, Pfeiffer’s character has some growing to do herself, which adds a really interesting layer to the story.

As a critic, what struck me most about this film is its potential for connection. It’s the kind of movie that, ideally, will inspire kids to reach out to their mothers, but just as powerfully, it could prompt mothers to connect with their children. It’s a beautifully reciprocal idea, and I think that’s really special. It’s not just a one-way street of familial love; it’s about sparking a conversation going in both directions.

Oh. What. Fun.’s Confrontation Of Dysfunctional Families Comes With A “Genuine” Message Of Truth

I was really struck by the funny relationship between Felicity’s brother and husband in the movie. I was curious what Channing thought about all their little arguments, because Felicity clearly doesn’t want to take sides – she’s stuck in the middle!

What I love about the film is how it captures the complexity of family at Christmas. There are lots of little stories unfolding, and these quiet, heartwarming conversations between everyone. You really feel the warmth, but also the tension that comes with being cooped up together. It’s fun to watch them initially put on a happy face, only to eventually drop the pretense and be completely honest with each other. That honesty is what ultimately allows them to connect and build more real relationships.

ScreenRant describes “Oh. What. Fun.” as a sweet and heartwarming tribute to mothers, saying it made them want to reach out to their own moms. They asked the creators about where the idea for the project came from.

I received a short story from Chandler Baker, a fantastic writer, that was about a mother who felt overwhelmed and unappreciated. It was only about 20-30 pages long, but I immediately knew it could make a great Christmas movie. I’ve always loved Christmas movies and wanted to create one that told a fresh story – one that recognizes and celebrates the moms who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the holidays happen, often without getting the recognition they deserve.

ScreenRant asked if a particular holiday memory or tradition was the starting point for the story, or something the creator really wanted to feature.

I was drawn to the idea of a quirky family crowded together in one house. Having experienced many Thanksgivings and Christmases with my own family and in-laws, I really connected with the humor and warmth that comes from those chaotic gatherings. I loved the chance to capture that feeling with a talented group of actors, each dealing with their own personal issues within that confined space. That was really where the idea started.

ScreenRant asked if, given the film’s strong cast and the complex relationships between characters within scenes, the director had discussed the characters’ unseen histories and motivations with the actors, even details not explicitly shown in the movie.

We didn’t go too overboard, but the cast and crew really connected with the goal of creating a believable atmosphere. The actors were fantastic at staying present and natural, and everything felt interconnected. I really wanted the set to feel like a real neighborhood – like you could walk out of their house and see their neighbors. We actually built it on a real block, which helped us live and breathe the environment. The set allowed for a lot of freedom with the camera, because there was always something authentic happening, even in the background. Sometimes we’d have to ask people to quiet down because there was too much happening! It was a challenge for the sound team, but for me and the actors, it was perfect.

ScreenRant asked about the interesting relationship between Michelle and Joan Chen’s characters, suggesting it felt substantial enough for its own story – a rivalry between competitive mothers. The interviewer wanted to know how showing this seemingly ‘perfect’ family next door impacts Claire’s storyline.

There’s a neighbor, Jean Wang-Wasserman, who lives across the street from the main character and seems to have it all together. Her kids are all grown and successful, creating this ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ dynamic where everything about their family appears perfect compared to the main character’s kids, who are still finding their way. But as the story unfolds, you realize even Jean isn’t flawless. Nobody is! Joan Chen, who plays Jean, is fantastic – I’ve admired her work for years, and she brings a lot of comedic talent to the role. There’s a wonderful, complex relationship between Jean and Michelle’s character, Claire. They playfully act like they dislike each other, but secretly, they’d genuinely miss each other if one of them moved away. Their scenes are some of my favorites in the film.

ScreenRant asked about the casting choices, noting that the actors were perfectly suited for their roles and included both well-known veterans and exciting new faces. They wanted to know if there were any actors the team had specifically envisioned from the beginning, or if anyone particularly impressed them during auditions.

When casting the film, I didn’t have specific actors in mind at the start, but certain performers came to mind as the script developed. I initially envisioned Eva Longoria in the role of Zazzy Tims. The cast is a great mix of rising stars like Dominic Sessa, Havana Rose Liu, and Chloë Grace Moretz, alongside established actors such as Denis Leary, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Joan Chen. Felicity Jones and Jason Schwartzman, who I’ve known for some time, are both fantastic, and Devery Jacobs, who plays Chloë’s girlfriend, is truly exceptional. Everyone worked together seamlessly and seemed to enjoy themselves. I knew the actors were talented, so I wasn’t surprised by their performances, but I really appreciated the combination of experienced and new faces. That blend is what makes casting fun – finding interesting qualities in different performers. I think it especially fits the holiday setting, as everyone experiences the season differently. For example, Dominic Sessa’s character, Sammy, is a young man eager to escape home, while Felicity and Jason’s characters are trying to forge their own paths but feel stuck in old routines. What I love about an ensemble project is the variety of energies and tones, and I’m thrilled with how this cast came together.

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2025-12-03 01:01