In “Is This Thing On?,” director Bradley Cooper explores the complexities of marriage and personal rediscovery through the lens of stand-up comedy. The film features Will Arnett as Alex Novak, a father and husband who finds himself at a crossroads with his wife Tess, played by Laura Dern. Their marriage has hit a wall not due to any dramatic event, but simply because they have drifted apart and made the difficult decision to separate.
Seeking an outlet for his feelings, Alex stumbles onto an open mic night at a bar, where he discovers an unexpected catharsis through performance. While he isn’t a comedian in the traditional sense, he uses the stage to express his thoughts on his divorce repeatedly, surprisingly gaining traction in New York’s competitive comedy circuit despite the unrealistic premise that an inexperienced performer could easily win over notoriously tough crowds.
A pivotal moment in the film occurs when Alex performs unknowingly in front of Tess, who is on a date with a character played by Peyton Manning. This scene is charged with emotional intensity, as it propels Alex and Tess to reconsider their relationship and rekindle feelings they thought were lost. The film juxtaposes comedy with the more serious elements of their lives, including their roles as parents to two children, Felix and Jude, who navigate their parents’ changing dynamics.
Cooper appears in the film as Alex’s friend Balls, a wannabe actor grappling with his own relationship struggles, while Andra Day plays his girlfriend Christine. The filmmakers, including Arnett and co-writer Mark Chappell, seem to grapple with the significant themes of midlife crises and personal fulfillment, but at times the execution feels disjointed and underdeveloped, lacking the depth needed to credibly portray such experiences.
Despite its flaws, “Is This Thing On?” highlights the power of self-expression and the unpredictability of relationships, presenting a narrative that resonates with anyone who has faced challenges in personal connections. While the film’s premise may stretch believability, it ultimately invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of love and the possibilities of renewal.
The film is rated R for language, sexual references, and some drug use, running just over two hours, and it’s currently showing in theaters, allowing audiences to dissect its themes of love, loss, and personal reinvention.