
Bradley Cooper's Is This Thing On? Will Make Its World Premiere at NYFF63 as the Closing Night Film.
After announcing their Opening Night and Centerpiece selections, Film at Lincoln Center has revealed that Bradley Cooper's *Is This Thing On?* will serve as the Closing Night film for the 63rd New York Film Festival. The movie will have its world premiere at Alice Tully Hall on Friday, October 10, with Cooper and cast members present. A release from Searchlight Pictures, *Is This Thing On?* draws inspiration from the true story of British comedian John Bishop and marks Cooper's third time as a director, following *A Star Is Born* and *Maestro*.
Here’s a brief synopsis: “In two powerful and heartfelt performances, Will Arnett and Laura Dern portray Alex and Tess Novak, a couple whose marriage has come to a standstill. With shared sadness, they decide to amicably part ways, while raising two young boys. However, in Bradley Cooper's astute comedic drama, their separation sparks unexpected midlife self-discovery, particularly for Alex, who dramatically changes careers to pursue a confessional stand-up comedy path in New York City’s West Village, where he finds new purpose and friendships. This seemingly far-fetched premise—based on a script by Cooper, Arnett, and Mark Chappell, inspired by John Bishop's real-life experiences—is never played for cheap laughs. Instead, Cooper’s naturalistic approach allows the actors to delve into their complex emotions. In this richly layered third feature, after *A Star Is Born* and *Maestro* (NYFF61), Cooper showcases his skill in portraying the intricacies of human relationships, creating a film that is both incisive and heartfelt, humorous and tender. *Is This Thing On?* boasts an impressive supporting cast, including Andra Day, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, Sean Hayes, Peyton Manning, and Amy Sedaris, along with notable contributions from New York stand-up comedians like Chloe Radcliffe, Reggie Conquest, and Jordan Jensen, lending the film its authentic downtown vibe. A release from Searchlight Pictures.”
Bradley Cooper expressed his excitement about the selection: “We are honored and humbled to premiere our film at the New York Film Festival. Earlier this year, we were fortunate to film this story throughout the city, making it even more special to debut it on the festival's closing night. New York City brings an energy to filmmaking that is impossible to replicate. Having attended numerous premieres at NYFF over the years, the support from Dennis Lim and his team means a great deal to us. Thank you! On behalf of Will, Laura, and the entire cast and crew—we can’t wait!”
Dennis Lim, Artistic Director of the New York Film Festival, stated, “We are excited to conclude the festival with Bradley Cooper’s charming third feature. *Is This Thing On?* is a multi-faceted film filled with surprises: a heartfelt homage to New York City’s comedy scene, a sensitive examination of midlife dissatisfaction, and a contemporary comedy of remarriage, perfectly balancing humor and emotion.”
The 63rd New York Film Festival (NYFF63) will take place from September 26 to October 13, with passes currently available for purchase.
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Bradley Cooper's Is This Thing On? Will Make Its World Premiere at NYFF63 as the Closing Night Film.
After revealing their Opening Night and Centerpiece selections, Film at Lincoln Center has now chosen Bradley Cooper’s Is This Thing On? as the Closing Night film for the 63rd New York Film Festival. The film will have its world premiere at Alice Tully Hall on Friday, October 10, with Cooper and some cast members present. A Searchlight Pictures production.