Film Review – Is This Thing On? (2025)

      Is This Thing On?, 2025.

      Directed by Bradley Cooper.

      Featuring Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Andra Day, Bradley Cooper, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, Sean Hayes, Amy Sedaris, Chloe Radcliffe, Scott Icenogle, Jordan Jensen, Peyton Manning, Reggie Conquest, Tomos Eames, Gabe Fazio, Blake Kane, Calvin Knegten, Derek Gaines, and Matt Richards.

      SYNOPSIS:

      As Alex navigates the challenges of middle age and divorce, he seeks new meaning in the New York comedy scene amid the unraveling of his marriage. At the same time, his wife Tess reflects on the sacrifices she's made for their family, compelling them both to manage co-parenting and their evolving identities.

      The idea of a man using open mic nights and comedy clubs to display vulnerability and deal with personal issues might seem like a quickly tiring gimmick. However, under the direction of Philadelphia Eagles superfan Bradley Cooper in Is This Thing On?, these performances do not dominate the film but rather provide a beacon for the recently separated Alex Novak (played by Will Arnett, who skillfully channels his talent as a comedian while also utilizing LEGO Batman’s somber voice for a deeply emotional performance) to process his complex feelings towards his ex-wife and former Olympic athlete Tess (Laura Dern, who impressively offers more depth than anticipated) and to understand the reasons behind the decline of their marriage.

      From the outset, the chemistry between Will Arnett and Laura Dern is palpable, suggesting that their once-ideal family life has gradually shifted the dynamics of their relationship, leaving them with an emotional gap. Although they have had numerous arguments in the past, they maintain a cordial relationship, with Alex now living separately. At times, they meet mutual friends, including a couple portrayed by Andra Day (who dislikes Alex and encourages Tess to explore new romantic connections) and Bradley Cooper as a struggling actor, a role seemingly crafted to allow him to poke fun at himself (especially given how the Internet has relentlessly critiqued him, and likely will continue to do so, for aspiring to create an Oscar-worthy film).

      This writing team also cleverly finds a humorous reason for Alex to end up performing on stage by using stand-up comedy as a way to avoid paying for drinks. Importantly, while the film offers plenty of laughs, the aim is not for Alex to become an instant comedic genius or for Will Arnett to showcase his skills ostentatiously. Instead, the performance focuses on someone who, rather than crafting intentional jokes, simply steps onto the stage to vocalize his dissatisfaction, confusion, and sadness about his current life, attempting to cope with his experiences through dark humor while recounting stories from his marriage. These sequences resonate with genuine emotionality.

      As previously mentioned, Bradley Cooper understands that the film cannot depend solely on an amateur stand-up routine and wisely shifts focus away from Alex’s unexpected success in comedy. Instead, the narrative continually returns to Alex and Tess's personal lives, with Tess heeding advice to re-enter the dating scene (featuring a delightful cameo from a sports superstar). Is This Thing On? employs stand-up comedy as a medium for Alex to unravel the issues in their marriage, pushing him to face these problems with Tess.

      Their discussions reveal a somewhat cynical reality that feels authentic to the characters. The film also includes heartbreaking moments, such as when Alex's young children, preparing for a performance of Under Pressure with their elementary school band, stumble upon a folder containing potential comedy material, consequently learning more about their parents' separation than they're ready to handle.

      Collaborating once again with regular cinematographer Matthew Libatique, the film showcases some stylish elements. One notable scene features a heated argument between Alex and Tess that transitions from a hallway into a comedy stage, representing the one place where he feels heard and able to address his feelings in a therapeutic manner. Although there is a slightly slow beginning, the film gains momentum, building up to an awkwardly hilarious central sequence that serves to deepen the complexities of the domestic drama. One instance where Alex's frustrations and anger feel exaggerated, both in writing and performance, does detract somewhat, yet this marks Bradley Cooper's return to the type of intricate relationship themes that made his remake of A Star is Born so compelling.

      With what may be considered a career-best performance from Will Arnett, Is This Thing On? adeptly explores stand-up comedy as a form of therapy and authentically messy relationship dynamics, culminating in a poignant application of Under Pressure.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder