Searchlight Pictures is ready to bring Bradley Cooper’s latest directorial effort, Is This Thing On? to Hulu and Disney+ on March 20. The film follows Alex (Will Arnett), who turns to late-night comedy clubs as an unlikely form of therapy while navigating a faltering marriage. To prepare for the role, Arnett spent roughly six weeks writing and performing stand-up material in real clubs nearly every night. Arnett also co-wrote the film with Cooper and Mark Chappell (See How They Run), from a story by Arnett, Chappell, and John Bishop (The John Bishop Show), whose life inspired the character of Alex.
Who Else Stars in Cooper’s Dramatic Comedy?
The film features an ensemble cast including Laura Dern, Andra Day, Cooper, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes (one of Arnett’s partners on the popular podcast Smartless), and Scott Icenogle (real-life husband of Hayes, adding to the authenticity of their roles).
Our Thoughts on Is This Thing On?
Our reviewer to the stars, Alex Maidy, shared his thoughts on Cooper’s film last year, calling it a “sweet and uplifting” feature that showcases Arnett and Dern’s immense talents and their fantastic chemistry.
“While it could have turned into a feel-bad movie, Is This Thing On? remains a sweet and uplifting film about a subject that you wouldn’t expect to leave you in a good mood,” Alex says in his review. “I have come to expect a little more depth and substance from Bradley Cooper as a director, but he does a nice job with this lighter project. It is not on par with either A Star is Born or Maestro, but Is This Thing On? does deliver on a showcase for Will Arnett and Laura Dern, whose chemistry helps make this movie work. I would have liked a little more tension and a less cloying ending, but I still enjoyed joining these characters on their journey—a nice movie with some solid moments that will leave you feeling better than you may have expected.”
While I find most stand-up comedy awkward, I still want to see Is This Thing On? In addition to being a skilled comedian, Arnett is surprisingly adept at delivering drama to screens as well. Pairing him with someone as talented as Laura Dern sounds like a can’t-miss combination, and I’ve already got a Disney+/Hulu subscription. I’ll definitely check this out later this month.
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