Is This Thing On and What Happens After the Applause Fades

Is This Thing On? marks Bradley Cooper’s third directorial effort and sees him switch the grandiose romances of A Star Is Born and Maestro for one a little more charming. It tells a fictionalised account of Liverpudlian comedian John Bishop’s marriage and his start in the world of stand-up comedy. The film follows Alex Novak, portrayed by Will Arnett, as he explores his new separation from Tess, Laura Dern, and stumbles upon a rather unusual coping mechanism: open-mic stand-up comedy.

Cooper seems to have approached this outing with a very different outlook compared to his last two features. He switches the steady and stylish cinematography for a scrappier, more documentarian style. Much of the camerawork is up close, handheld and roaming. We are right up in there when experiencing the emotions of our characters, whether it be the tenderness of a couple struggling in their relationship or the initial awkwardness of Alex’s attempts at comedy. I feel the cinematography is a key function in grounding the story being told. It makes these characters feel lived in and reflects the unstable circumstances this family unit is going through.

At the heart of this film are two charismatic performances in Will Arnett and Laura Dern, whose characters might not see eye to eye, but whose scenes as performers certainly do. Beginning with Arnett, he truly is our protagonist as we follow him through his journey of self-discovery. In the past, Arnett rose to fame for his absurd comedic characters, but in Is This Thing On? he gets to flex his comedic muscles while also showcasing his dramatic abilities. Alex Novak is a man at a crossroads. There is a sadness not just about his situation, but also about him as a man. A recurring theme throughout the film is the sacrifices that come with adulthood, and Alex and Arnett work as the perfect guide for these ideas.

Right alongside Arnett is Laura Dern’s Tess, who is wonderful as a counterbalance to the hijinks Alex gets up to. Dern won her Oscar playing a divorce lawyer in 2019’s Marriage Story, and now it is her turn to be front and centre in this film’s floundering relationship. Tess goes on her own voyage of self-discovery but, instead of becoming an inept stand-up comedian, she is used to explore the dynamics of relationships and the intricacies of love. Dern weaves a delicacy into the film that counteracts Arnett’s melancholy and provides a much-needed optimism about where their relationship can go.

Arnett and Dern are accompanied by a set of colourful characters that showcase the different worlds the couple live in, whether it be Alex’s comedian friends or the couple’s mutual friends.

Bradley Cooper rose to fame first and foremost as an actor and, while the past few years have seen his focus shift behind the camera, he still makes an appearance here as Alex’s best friend, Balls. Cooper is a scene-stealer within his own film and this marks the first time the actor-director has taken on a supporting role rather than leading the picture. Balls has an eccentric quality that separates him from many of the more down-to-earth characters and provides comic relief within an already funny film.

All of these qualities work together in Is This Thing On? to create a scrappy tenderness that elevates the film from a starry romcom into a character study of a couple who feel real and who must learn who they are as individuals.

For more film reviews and Arts and Culture coverage, follow EyeOnLondon and stay up to date with what’s on in cinemas now and what’s about to close.

Follow us on:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!

We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!