The divorce dramedy Is This Thing On?, directed by Bradley Cooper, made its debut at the New York Film Festival, presenting a story focused on the emotional upheaval following a breakup. Centered primarily on Alex, an emotionally fragile finance professional played by Will Arnett, the film attempts to explore divorce through a blend of humor and drama. Cooper himself stars as one half of a married couple alongside Andra Day, portraying a pair of irritating, pseudo-comic figures who contrast with Arnett and Laura Dern’s newly separated couple. The story unfolds in Manhattan and uses Alex’s stand-up comedy as a lens to process his marital breakdown.
Director’s Style and Narrative Approach in “Is This Thing On?”
Cooper employs a directing style similar to his previous works such as A Star Is Born and Maestro, favoring hand-held camera work that stays physically close to the actors, often at the expense of providing broader context or visual variety. This approach results in an intimate but sometimes claustrophobic viewing experience. The film’s dialogue frequently drops viewers into mid-conversation moments, relying heavily on coincidences and subtle allusions to deeper emotional issues that never fully surface. These narrative choices contribute to a feeling that the characters’ struggles are underexplored and underdeveloped.
Focus on Alex’s Emotional Journey and Secondary Storylines
Much of the screenplay, co-written by Cooper, Arnett, and Mark Chappell, revolves around Alex’s fragmented emotional state. Tess, played by Laura Dern, is given a smaller, less fleshed-out role as a former volleyball star attempting a comeback as a professional sports coach. While her subplot offers a potential avenue for growth, it primarily raises questions for Alex without delivering satisfying answers. Despite Dern’s strong screen presence, Tess largely functions as a mirror to Alex’s struggles, rather than a fully realized character with her own narrative arc.
Stand-up Comedy as a Window into Alex’s Mind
Several scenes feature Alex performing at Manhattan’s Comedy Cellar, delivering stand-up routines that reveal his inner turmoil. Although the audience’s response is mixed and somewhat muted, these sequences depict comedy as a crucial outlet for Alex to express his pain. An interaction with a fellow comedian, who bluntly tells Alex that his comedy skills are lacking but that he’s a “nice guy,” underscores Alex’s discomfort on stage and the tension between his vulnerability and performance. However, the direction and editing reduce these moments’ emotional impact, making the comedy appear more stilted than cathartic.
Supporting Characters Highlight the Complexity of Relationships
The story is enriched by conversations with side characters, including Alex’s wise yet blunt 10-year-old sons, played by Blake Kane and Calvin Knegton, who offer candid perspectives on their family’s changes. Christine Ebersole and Ciarán Hinds portray Alex’s parents, adding moments of comic relief and philosophical musings about marriage’s challenges. Hinds’s character struggles with communication, and at one point delivers a hesitant line attempting to excuse Alex’s shortcomings by acknowledging his confusion. Meanwhile, Ebersole’s character exhibits a more forgiving and pragmatic attitude but receives less narrative attention.
Friends’ Role in Reflecting Marital Insecurity
Cooper and Day’s characters, known as Balls and Christine, respectively, represent a married couple that appears less stable than initially suggested. Their exaggerated and somewhat shallow dynamic contrasts with the more emotionally volatile main couple. Balls, an actor portrayed by Cooper himself, and Christine’s often self-centered comments serve as a foil to Alex’s moodiness, though their interactions frequently underscore the superficiality of their relationship and their insufficient support for Alex’s healing process.
Moments of Authenticity in Male Friendship
The exchanges between Alex and Balls emerge as some of the film’s most genuine and entertaining scenes, despite lacking distinctive insight or memorable staging. Their interactions reveal two neurotic men who expend great effort trying to shield each other from uncomfortable truths about their marriages. The camaraderie between Arnett and Cooper translates naturally on screen, providing brief relief from the film’s otherwise uneven tone. However, outside these moments, the movie often feels incomplete and distracted.
Film’s Emotional and Visual Limitations
While the story centers on Alex’s emotional distress, Cooper’s heavy focus on Arnett’s often glazed and wounded expression limits the character’s emotional range, resulting in a portrayal that seems stuck in a loop of vulnerability without progression. Arnett excels in playing hapless, self-pitying roles—as seen in projects like Arrested Development and Bojack Horseman—but the film’s visual style and truncated dialogue clips hamper his performance from developing fully. Ultimately, Is This Thing On? feels more like a carefully rehearsed preview than a polished, fully formed drama.
Release Date and Audience Expectations
Is This Thing On? is scheduled for theatrical release on December 19, inviting audiences to experience Cooper’s attempt at blending humor and tension in a story about divorce, friendship, and self-reflection. Given the film’s challenges with pacing, character depth, and stylistic choices, its reception may hinge on viewers’ willingness to engage with its uneven narrative and intimate but sometimes frustrating portrait of emotional fallout.
“Is This Thing On? opens in theaters on Dec. 19.”
– Unattributed
