As their marriage unravels, Alex faces middle age and divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene. Meanwhile, his wife Tess confronts sacrifices made for their family, forcing them to navigate co-parenting and identities.
Chuck says:
People handle difficult situations, like divorce, in different ways. Some turn to therapy or get support from friends and family. Others begin to exercise in an effort to transform themselves. There are those who take up drugs or alcohol in an effort to escape.
Alex Novak turns to stand-comedy.
Based on the experiences of British pharmaceutical salesman John Bishop, Bradley Cooper’s “Is This Thing On?” follows one lost man’s journey towards finding his voice, something he hadn’t realized he’d lost in the first place. Sharp and insightful, the film successfully walks the line between drama and comedy, never veering too far in either direction, allowing the emotional stakes of those involved to take hold. Using a hand-held camera, tight shots, and warm-lighting, Cooper creates an intimate tone that lends the film a sense of realism that proves effective.
Alex (Will Arnett) is knocked back on his heels when his wife Tess (Laura Dern) casually asks for a divorce by asking, “We need to call it, right?” Moving to New York City to an apartment fashioned for lonely guys, one night he winds up at a stand-up club after aimlessly wandering about, a bit high from a marijuana cookie. To avoid paying the $15 cover, Alex signs up for an open mic slot. Though he approaches the stage with trepidation and fails to deliver a single punchline, he finds a sense of belonging that proves cathartic. He finds himself returning each week, having found a forum through which to work through his pain.
Meanwhile, Tess is struggling to find her way, unsure of how to deal with her newfound freedom, at times doubting whether this new life is what she really wants. Dipping her toe in the dating pool, she’s found no one she’s interested in, yet hopes to perhaps rekindle her passion for volleyball, vying to become a coach for the Olympic team she was once a part of.
Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of the film is that it’s obvious Alex and Tess still care for one another. Whereas most divorce dramas revolve around the soon-to-be-exes tearing each other to shreds, the Novaks are more confused about their situation than angry at one another. The conversations they engage in smack of realism, the questions they pose to one another prompted by genuine concern and sincere soul-searching.
This unique approach helps set the film apart and gives the viewer something to hold onto as Cooper’s curious pacing makes for some dull moments. “Thing’s” biggest issue is that it overstays its welcome, losing focus of its theme at crucial moments. While the inclusion of Cooper and Andra Day as another couple in crisis produces a laugh here and there, scenes devoted to them kill the movie’s momentum and it struggles to get back on track.
It comes as no surprise that Dern is wonderful. She’s an asset to any film she’s cast in. However, Arnett is a revelation, bringing a nuance and poignancy to his role I never thought he was capable of. The actor portrays Alex’s growth with a delicacy that taps into the character’s pain, confusion, and growth, resulting in a sincere, memorable performance.
How the Novaks come to resolve their issues proves to be unexpectedly satisfying. While their experience is unique, it speaks to the importance of honesty between intimates, even if the truth may hurt. Only through this approach can any relationship be meaningfully salvaged. “Thing” serves as a reminder that while marriage at times may be a battlefield, seeing its absurdities through a prism of humor and honesty, may lead to its salvation.
3 Stars
