Bradley Cooper has proven he can direct a tearjerker with A Star Is Born, but his latest project, Is This Thing On?, is a comedy that never quite finds its footing. Despite a promising premise—a middle-aged man diving into the New York stand-up scene—the film quickly devolves into a tired, unoriginal mess that even a cast including Will Arnett, Laura Dern, and Peyton Manning can't save.
The story follows Alex (Arnett), a recently separated father who, in a moment of desperation, decides to try his hand at stand-up comedy. It's a classic "rediscovering purpose" narrative, but Cooper's execution feels stale. The film's take on stand-up is painfully inaccurate, with Alex's first open mic set going off without a hitch—a far cry from the brutal reality most aspiring comics face. If you've ever been to an open mic, you know that getting a laugh on your first try is about as rare as a unicorn sighting.
What's more, the film's portrayal of the comedy community is overly rosy. In reality, veteran comics are often wary of newcomers, but here, everyone is instantly supportive, which rings false. The only bright spots are brief appearances by real-life comedians Dave Attell and Jordan Jensen, who bring genuine humor to their scenes but are woefully underused.
Character development is another casualty. Alex is a walking cliché of midlife ennui, and his wife Tess (Dern) is given little to do beyond being the long-suffering spouse. Cooper himself appears as "Balls," an obnoxious actor friend, but his character is so insufferable that you'll wish he'd stayed off-screen. Even the supporting cast, including Andra Day, fails to inject any life into the proceedings.
It's a shame, because the premise had potential. With the rise of streaming platforms and viral comedy clips, stand-up has never been more popular, and a film exploring that world could have been timely. But Is This Thing On? squanders that opportunity, offering nothing new or insightful. It's neither funny nor heartfelt, and the best part of the movie is arguably Jordan Jensen's few minutes of screen time.
For those looking for a better comedy fix, you might want to check out Dominic Cooper's charming turn in a recent thriller, or revisit Mike Flanagan's The Midnight Club for a different kind of entertainment. But as for Is This Thing On?, it's a misfire that even the most devoted Cooper fans might want to skip.
In the end, Is This Thing On? is a comedy that forgets to be funny, a drama that lacks heart, and a film that wastes its talented ensemble. It's a disappointing addition to Cooper's filmography, and one that will likely be forgotten quickly.
