Shadows on the Wall | Oh. What. Fun.

Oh. What. Fun.

dir Michael Showalter
scr Chandler Baker, Michael Showalter
prd Kate Churchill, Michael Showalter, Jordana Mollick, Jane Rosenthal, Berry Welsh
with Michelle Pfeiffer, Felicity Jones, Chloe Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa, Jason Schwartzman, Joan Chen, Eva Longoria, Danielle Brooks, Devery Jacobs, Havana Rose Liu, Maude Apatow
release US/UK 5.Dec.25
25/US Amazon 1h47

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moretz, leary, pfeiffer, jones, schwartzman, jacobs and the grandkids

Continually calling back to Christmas comedy classics, this lively movie is packed with goofy antics and holiday cheer, this time focussing on an obsessive mother. It's never terribly original, but there's a lot of fun to be had with this enjoyably messy family. So even if these people behave like movie characters rather than people, and the story makes little sense, this corny film has a comfortable charm.

In Houston, Claire (Pfeiffer) loves going over-the-top at Christmas. She and husband Nick (Leary) welcome daughters Channing (Jones) and Taylor (Moretz), lovelorn son Sammy (Sessa), Channing's husband Doug (Schwartzmann) and Taylor's current girlfriend Donna (Jacobs). While trying to one-up too-perfect neighbour Jeanne (Chen), Claire gets left behind as the family heads to a festive show. So she drives off in a huff. Now they are worrying about her, and turning on each other, while she has a series of adventures on the road, heading to California to meet her favourite TV host Zazzy (Longoria).

Most plot points don't hold water, starting with the fact that Claire could have simply phoned the family as they drove away. But the idea that they could forget her is the point, the last straw after years of holding everyone together. As she travels, she has random encounters (including an unfinished run-in with Brooks) and hits silly obstacles. Meanwhile back home, there are various complications, including Sessa finally getting up the nerve to speak to his crush, Jeanne's daughter Lizzie (Liu).

None of this taxes this ace ensemble very much, and thankfully none of them overplay the comedy. As a result, characters are easy to identify with. Pfeiffer adeptly balances the nuttiness with a meaningful internal journey, adding spark and grit to even the silliest scenes. Jones, Moretz and Schwartzman have their moments, while Sessa has the most nuanced role as a young guy who has never taken control of his life. So while his trajectory is fairly simplistic, it keeps us engaged.

Underneath the dopey plotting, this is an enjoyable reminder that mothers are often overlooked for the work they do for their families. This message gets a little loud in the script's final act, but the point is important so we don't mind. As everything tumbles into a climactic moment and requisite coda, there isn't a single surprise. But filmmaker Showalter is gifted at making funny movies with something to say, and it definitely helps to be working with such a terrific cast.

themes, language 3.Dec.25

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