While he had already established himself as a leading man Bradley Cooper has made a successful transition into director with great films including A Star Is Born and Maestro. Now he is taking on multiple duties once again as director, co-writer and actor with his latest film Is This Thing On? starring Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, and Scott Icenogle. Could this be another successful return to form for Cooper or should it have avoided the open mic night?

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Is This Thing On? follows Alex who faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeks new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess confronts the sacrifices she made for their family, forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

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I must be honest despite the cast and no doubt that Cooper could deliver I was never really sold on this film before checking it out. It’s a slow burn dialogue heavy film that takes on real life and exceeds the expectations of what I thought I was getting here. There is a multi-layered story here with the backdrop catalyst being their struggling marriage that leads directly to her trying to find her way in life and him finding comedy. This brings an element of homage to the comedy scene that most know nothing about and is fantastic.

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Exploring the world of stand-up comedy could have carried this film all on its own. Will Arnett’s journey is interesting and cathartic for his life situation as he finds his way of expressing his issues through laughs both good and bad. Seeing him crash and burn on stage, but also finding his way is engaging and well executed. His performance is equally inspiring and heartbreaking as he finds passion in comedy and life in hopes to give him a new purpose in life and relationship.

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