Is This Thing On?
Alex Novak (Will Arnett) is brushing his teeth beside his wife, Tess (Laura Dern), when she abruptly declares 'We need to call it.' The next thing he knows, his kids are visiting his Manhattan singleton apartment from the suburbs and he's stumbled into stand-up comedy where he talks about his marriage and wonders "Is This Thing On?"
Laura's Review: B+
Cowriter (with Will Arnett and Mark Chappell)/director Bradley Cooper goes for a more relaxed vibe with his third film, a midlife crisis divorce romcom kicked off by Arnett when he was inspired by a true story to write a screenplay. When an Englishman, John Bishop (who shares a story by credit with Arnett and Chappell), who'd broken up with his wife couldn't afford the entry fee to a pub, he agreed to join their open mic comedy night instead, then was surprised to find it therapeutic and continued to perform. One night, his wife inadvertently showed up and when they chatted after his show, they began to patch things up. The movie's title is a double entendre, referring to both a microphone sound check and Novak's marriage. Arnett and Cooper flesh out the tale with Tess' perspective on the separation while also surrounding the couple with a circle of friends, Alex's well meaning parents Jan and Marilyn (Ciarán Hinds and Christine Ebersole) and plenty of real life stand-up comedians (Jordan Jensen, Chloe Radcliffe and Reggie Conquest) to add flavor.
Tess is a former Olympic volleyball champion who now finds herself a soccer mom running after the schedules of Irish twins Felix and Jude (Blake Kane and Calvin Knegten), a traditional wife who, after twenty years of marriage, is not feeling fulfilled. The couple attends a party at the home of close friends, but keeps their decision under wraps. Christine (Andra Day, "Andra Day in The United States vs. Billie Holiday"), Tess's bestie, is a career professional beginning to tire of supporting her charming goofball husband Balls' (Bradley Cooper) acting dream, one which has never progressed beyond theatrical understudy parts and various small roles. Stephen and Geoffrey (Sean Hayes and his real life husband Scott Icenogle) comprise the rest of their group.
As Alex begins to make new friends in the stand-up circle, Tess spreads her wings, reveling in her freedom, yet we can still see the intimacy between them as they perform the mundane task of coming out their kids' hair for lice in Alex's apartment, Alex tenderly checking Tess's hair. Tess begins to think about becoming an Olympic Coach, something encouraged by her former colleague Laird (Peyton Manning) who has made the same transition and who offers to take her out to dinner, one which seems headed toward romance. Alex never lets on about his new side gig, however, so when Laird suggests heading out for a drink to keep their evening going, where does he happen to take Tess but the very club Alex is performing in that night. And while Alex talks about missing his wife, he also mentions having his awkward first sexual experience with another woman. Tess is shocked in the audience and Alex is shocked when he sees her departing the club, racing after her to find her waiting for him, alone on the sidewalk. At first she frets, then admits seeing him that way 'turned her on' and they end up in Alex's bed, giggling like two young lovers. They begin an affair, Alex driving out from the city to pick her up from her training sessions, an excuse to see her, and when they attend a rented house party with all their friends, they now go the opposite route, hiding the fact that they've been seeing each other again.
Don't go to "Is This Thing On?" expecting to see a film about stand-up, because while some of that is featured, Cooper's film is more an exploration of a marriage that is fine except for the roles its participants have settled into and how the Novaks' relationship crisis affects those around them. Their Irish twins couldn't be more different, yet both boys worry about their dad 'being alone.' Christine and Balls both reconsider their own relationship and that house party, where Alex sleeps on the couch to preserve his and Tess's secret (it's blown of course) leads to some heartfelt conversations, Christine telling Alex she 'watched him disappear' over the years, Stephen moving everyone with his view that 'people change, but love stays the same,' the film's underlying theme.
Arnett, asea separately, and Dern, energetic on her own, are just wonderful together, convincing of a long held partnership that could use some refreshing, each changing for the better having been given room to grow. Cooper is great comic relief, introduced with a pratfall, an amusing flake throughout. Ciarán Hinds is also notable, a concerned father offering solid life advice. Jordan Jensen is the comic who makes a play for Alex, more comfortable having sex with him than he is with her. Amy Sedaris is the encouraging open mic wrangler.
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique uses handheld camera (and a boxy 1.66:1 aspect ratio), going in very close on Arnett's face and making a wide arc around him when he hits the stage, Alex getting his own spotlight for the first time. And while this film is a lot more chill than his last, Cooper repeats a device he used in "Maestro," having Alex walk from his bedroom directly up to that stand-up mic. Composer James Newberry's score uses odd tones and chorals which are oddly complemented by Jude and Calvin practicing 'Under Pressure' for a school show, their performance the film's final, joyous scene.
Robin's Review: B
For Alex (Will Arnett) and Tess (Laura Dern), their marriage is at an end. Once apart, she rekindles her past successful volleyball career while he wanders through life trying to find himself. He does, but it is a hard beginning for a standup comic in "Is This Thing On?"
Bradley Cooper directs and co-writes, with star Arnett and Mark Chappell, a story of a middle aged couple who have grown both apart and unfulfilled. Tess was once a champion Olympic volleyball star but, now, her life is intertwined with Alex and their family. He, though in business, does not know what he wants in his life that will be that fulfillment.
On a whim, Alex goes to an open mic night at a local comedy club and performs. He is not very good but he gets the standup bug and starts going back. Each time, he gets a bit better and, more important, picks the brains of the veteran comics and begins to hone his standup skills – in secret.
Tess, meanwhile, is considering taking an offer as the assistant coach for the US women's Olympic volleyball team, something that is perfect for her. So, we have two people, grown apart by familiarity and lack of spark in their marriage. It looks like the marriage will stay split and they will go their separate ways. Then, by chance, Tess and her friends stop at the club, only to see Alex using their marriage as material for his stand-up. She is both appalled and fascinated, things she has not felt before.
This simple story about a married couple, after years together but now growing apart, is rejuvenated when each finds, or re-discovers in Tess's case, something that they love to do, For Alex, his stand-up is the balm that soothes his heart and mind as he finds something that he loves to do. It is about individual accomplishment but, more, about rekindling a lost relationship.
Searchlight Pictures opens "Is This Thing On?" in select theaters on 12/19, wider on Christmas Day.
