I have been on the Bradely Cooper director train (very short train)since the beginning, but people seem to dislike his attempts. With Is This Thing On? I was once again hooked and entranced with the story he was telling. This follows a man, Will Arnett, in the beginning of a midlife crisis and his turn towards stand up comedy as a form of therapy. First off, I think Bardley cast Will as the lead because he looks exactly like him now, or like if you were to draw him from memory. Arnett doesn’t quite have what it takes to be a leading man in this type of role, but it works 75% of the time. I’m glad Cooper did not cast himself as the lead this time around, because his presence as the friend stole the show and made for one of, if not the best, comedic performances of the year.

I was impressed with the abundant handheld long shots that solely focus on Arnett’s face as he worked through every line of his routine. Justice was brought to the New York comedy scene through many facets and utilizing the real Comedy Cellar and the comics that hang out there was such a nice touch that I applaud the realism. I have been to that club a few times and it was so cool to see it on the big screen as a character of its own. It’s a complicated and insane movie that also pursues the awkwardness of breakups in a graceful way. I love the idea of working through pain with comedy and it leads to my favorite transition shot of the last year or two, you’ll know when you see it.

Looking back on my time with this film, I noticed it worked as a personal form of therapy. This taught me that life happens to us, which is something I really need right now. Cooper crafts another adult film that will hopefully work for the masses. It’s filled with cameos that are let off the leash and situations that are justified and hilarious stories about life. It inspired me to look at relationships and life choices differently. There’s just something so real within the way Cooper chooses to tell stories about larger than life people in a smaller world.

3.8/5