By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
"IS THIS THING ON?" FINDS COMEDY IN SECOND CHANCES
In the offbeat dramady
"Is This Thing On?" director
Bradley Cooper,("Superman") continues his streak of thoughtful, character-driven storytelling.
Co-written with
Will Arnett (TV's "The Morning Show") and
Mark Chappell, ("See How They Run"), the film is loosely inspired by the life of British comedian
John Bishop and unfolds as an unexpectedly tender, often uncomfortable, and ultimately rewarding look at marriage, identity, and second chances.
Arnett stars as Alex Novak, a New York businessman whose marriage to Tess (a terrific Laura Dern, TV's "Palm Royale") is quietly unraveling.
Tess, a former Olympic volleyball star, sacrificed her own ambitions to raise their two sons, Felix (Blake Kane, TV's "New Amsterdam"), and Jude (Calvin Knegten, "Trip to the Moon").
That unspoken resentment has finally bubbled to the surface. As Tess considers a possible coaching comeback tied to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Alex is left grappling with the realization that love alone hasn't been enough to keep their family intact.
The emotional fallout is messy and deeply felt, especially for their children, who are struggling to understand why their parents can't stop arguing. When Alex moves out, the separation shocks not only their sons but also Alex’s baffled parents, played with warmth and humor by Ciaran Hinds (TV's "The Dry") and Christine Ebersole (TV's "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story"). Even their close friends Balls (Bradley Cooper) and Christine (an excellent Andra Day, "Exhibiting Forgiveness") are blindsided, despite facing cracks in their own relationship.
The film finds its most unexpected turn when Alex wanders into a local comedy club and impulsively steps onstage during open mic night. His routine isn't polished or laugh-out-loud funny, but it's raw, honest, and painfully relatable. For the first time, Alex feels heard. Stand-up becomes his emotional lifeline, a place where heartbreak turns into something resembling purpose.
The timing couldn't be worse--or better--when Tess goes on a date with an old acquaintance, Laird (a surprisingly funny Peyton Manning, "You're Cordially Invited"), only to hear Alex airing their marital laundry on stage.
What follows isn't a traditional comeback story, but something more modest and human. Comedy doesn't fix Alex's life, but it helps him understand it. Tess, rather than feeling betrayed, is drawn to his vulnerability and growing sense of self, opening the door to the possibility of reconciliation.
"Is This Thing On?" is an odd little film, but that's part of its charm. It's filled with naturalistic dialogue, strong performances, and an emotional honesty that often sneaks up on you.
While it lacks the grand sweep of Cooper's previous work like "A Star Is Born" or "Maestro," it earns its place by embracing life's quieter moments, the ones where people stumble, overshare, and slowly figure out who they are when the applause fades.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Check Out This Trailer For
"IS THIS THING ON"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
