"For his first two movies as writer and director, Bradley Cooper cast himself in the starring role of tortured musical genius, with some degree of success: Both 2018's A Star Is Born and 2023's Maestro received a number of Oscar nominations and a reasonable degree of critical praise. His third film, Is This Thing On?, is also about performance, as Cooper dives into the world of standup comedy. However, in exploring the human need to perform and connect, he finds something fresh to say here."
"When we first meet the middle-aged Alex ( Will Arnett), he and Tess ( Laura Dern) are in the early stages of navigating their separation as a soon-to-be-ex-couple. They're communicating as much as they can, doing everything right for their two sons, and not making their mutual friends choose sides. They also appear to be financially stable in a way that removes a lot of stress from the process."
"Some people might consider therapy - Alex instead eats a weed cookie and stumbles across an open mic night at a comedy club. His first time on stage is a mess, but he immediately finds catharsis in spilling his guts to strangers in the hopes of making them laugh. Plus, the other comedians he meets that night are very open about how bad he was, but they also offer him support and kindness. It's hardly a shock that he immediately comes back for more."
Bradley Cooper's first two directorial features cast him as a tortured musical genius and earned Oscar nominations and praise. His third film, Is This Thing On?, centers on standup comedy and the human need to perform and connect. Middle-aged Alex (Will Arnett) and Tess (Laura Dern) are navigating separation while co-parenting and maintaining financial stability, but Alex struggles living alone in the city. After eating a weed cookie he discovers an open-mic night and experiences catharsis by spilling his feelings to strangers. Other comedians offer candid critiques alongside support, encouraging him to return. The film occasionally stretches believability by staging an open mic at The Comedy Cellar.
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