Bradley Cooper’s new comedy film, Is This Thing On?, is now available for wide audiences following its initial screening at the New York Film Festival last October. The film, which focuses on the aftermath of a divorce set against the New York stand-up comedy scene, explores personal growth through quiet moments, offering a fresh perspective on relationship breakdowns.
Bradley Cooper Directs but Leaves the Spotlight to Will Arnett
Following his acclaimed work on Maestro, Cooper returns to the director’s chair for Is This Thing On? but chooses not to appear in front of the camera this time. Instead, the film stars Will Arnett as Alex, a middle-aged man navigating a painful separation. Arnett’s character turns to comedy as he tries to heal and understand his shifting life, setting the stage for a thoughtful exploration of post-divorce realities.
Critical reception has been strong, with many noting the effective combination of Cooper’s sensitive direction and Arnett’s authentic performance. The story avoids dramatising divorce with grand confrontations, preferring instead to dwell on tenderness and the internal journey to recovery.
The Film’s Approach to Divorce and Personal Healing
Will Arnett recently discussed with MovieWeb how the film handles the breakdown of marriage in a way that feels real and unembellished. Is This Thing On? opts not to dramatize the end of a relationship with spectacle; instead, it focuses on the subtle, often aching silences and personal reflections that follow.
“That was something that was really important to us, because we didn’t need to see that we could get to later and understand how they had gone to that place. But to start at that point was really, really important to us, so that you do feel, as you say, dropped into the middle of it. There’s something about that we trust the audience, that they understand that, and we’ve all, a lot of us have been there and experienced these emotions, and it’s not always some big, crazy, dramatic breakup. Generally, it’s sadder, because they usually are.”
– Will Arnett, Actor
This method trusts viewers to connect with the characters’ world and feelings, emphasizing that breakups are not always marked by overt drama; often, they are defined by quieter, more sorrowful moments. Both Cooper and Arnett believed this honest approach would resonate with people, making the film’s themes more relevant and relatable.
Laura Dern Highlights Peyton Manning’s Impactful Role
Another pivotal figure in the film is Laura Dern, who portrays Alex’s wife Tess. Dern spoke to MovieWeb about the presence of Peyton Manning, who plays Laird. She noted that Manning’s background as a celebrated NFL player strengthened his character’s arc around change and personal growth, themes at the heart of Cooper’s movie.
“… We were so excited about him being in the movie. He’s hilarious. He is such a natural actor. So all those things were great news for Bradley in terms of him playing this character, but specifically for Tess. You know, he being Peyton, not only in stature, but in in understanding what it means to have been at the the greatest at a game, and having to let it go, not playing every day for the rest of your life, and redefining what the game means to you in new ways, be it coaching, commentating, and feel like you’re you have a major impact on what you love still is the story of Peyton.”
– Laura Dern, Actress
Dern explained that Manning’s role is not hindered by his sports background; instead, his experience of stepping away from a glittering career aligns seamlessly with the film’s narrative focus on life after significant transitions and redefinitions of success.
Stand-Out Performances and Critical Praise
Is This Thing On? has earned praise for how well it captures the complexity of relationships. Reviewers have consistently pointed to the synergy between its cast and the careful attention given by the film’s director. Arnett’s portrayal of Alex, coupled with Dern’s nuanced performance as Tess and Manning’s authentic depiction of Laird, draws attention to the film’s sincere and heartfelt storytelling.
The film’s New York backdrop and its intimate journey through the world of stand-up comedy provide fertile ground for exploring themes of vulnerability, resilience, and emotional truth. In addition, critics have highlighted how the supporting cast’s chemistry enhances the authenticity of the narrative, making it easy for the audience to empathize with the characters’ challenges and hopes.
Cast Members and Their Roles
The film features Laura Dern as Tess Novak and Will Arnett as Alex Novak, anchoring the primary story of a dissolving marriage and the struggle to move forward. Peyton Manning’s presence as Laird introduces themes of reinvention and finding purpose beyond previous success.
Cooper’s casting decisions, including bringing in talents like Dern, Arnett, and Manning, have been integral to the film’s emotional depth and believability. Each performer brings their own lived experience to their roles, reinforcing the central theme of everyday challenges in relationships and the paths individuals travel toward healing.
The Significance and What Lies Ahead
Is This Thing On? stands out in the landscape of relationship dramas for its deliberate focus on understated heartbreak and recovery. Bradley Cooper’s direction and the collective effort of the cast have delivered a moving depiction of divorce and renewal, handled without exaggeration but with genuine care. As the film continues to reach wider audiences, it is expected that its compassionate, nuanced portrayal of life’s turning points will further its reputation as a significant work in contemporary cinema about heartbreak, resilience, and the complexity of human connections.
