Christina Murphy reviews Is This Thing On?, the much anticipated adult coming-of-age story and latest feature from Bradley Cooper.
Is This Thing On?, the new dramedy directed by Bradley Cooper, starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, will be released on January 31st in Ireland. Beyond his successful acting career, Cooper has been recognized for his directing work on A Star Is Born (2018). Is This Thing On? follows similar romantic themes which Cooper has previously excelled in illustrating. He achieves this through strong character development and an examination of relationships, focusing on the central couple learning to understand each other and fall back in love.
The movie follows Alex (Arnett) and Tess (Dern) as they struggle to navigate the impending end of their marriage. The film’s trailer utilises Queen and David Bowie’s famous duet “Under Pressure”, a fitting choice as the movie centres on giving love another chance. A key quote from the film: “people change but love stays the same”, as well as the message of “Under Pressure”, become pertinent as the story unravels.
After twenty years of marriage, Alex turns to stand-up comedy as his mode of coping with his separation and mid-life crisis, which he is in denial about. He finds solace in the community stand-up offers; connecting with people outside of the confined social circle that married life brought. As his life grows to revolve around the snippets of exhilaration that is comedy, Alex returns to himself. Pressure builds in his relationship with Tess, even in separation, as the pair keep finding themselves in conversations and confrontations over their messy feelings.
After twenty years of marriage, Alex turns to stand-up comedy as his mode of coping with his separation and mid-life crisis, which he is in denial about.
While Alex struggles to find himself outside of a marriage he has grown bored of, Tess finds herself in a similar position. A former Olympian, she returns to her old love of volleyball which she gave up to become a wife and mother. This creates a personal dilemma for Tess as she wrestles with two personas: who she once was, and who she is now. She grapples with how she wants to be perceived.
The main thing keeping the parted lovers tied together is their two sons: Felix (Blake Kane) and Jude (Calvin Knegten). At the beginning of the film, they are the ones to suggest to their father that he should set proper goals for the new year. This action identifies the children as the catalyst for this beautiful story of self discovery. The pair offer comedic relief amidst the stress of their parents' relationship, adding a feel-good sentiment to the film. The boys learn to perform “Under Pressure” for a talent show as their parents fall back in love; creating the perfect soundtrack to their love story.
Cooper offers a well-rounded and gratifying watch with Is This Thing On? as he shows how Alex and Tess learn, grow and change. The film offers a hopeful message. Even with late-in-life self discovery, there is something to be said for those who stick by your side. Ultimately viewers understand that learning to give second chances is crucial, and love will stay the same even when we change.
Even with late-in-life self discovery, there is something to be said for those who stick by your side.