IS THIS THING ON? : Tuesday 10th February 2026

I saw the M Rated 'IS THIS THING ON' earlier this week, and this American comedy drama film is Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced, Directed and stars Bradley Cooper in his third Directorial outing following 'A Star is Born' in 2018 and 'Maestro' in 2023, as well as his numerous acting and Producing credits. This film is based loosely on the life of English comedian John Bishop, who was given a story credit on the film, after he met Will Arnett and told him about the night he decided to become a stand-up comedian, and how ultimately it helped save his marriage. The film had its World Premiere as the closing film of the New York Film Festival on 10th October last year, was released in the US on 19th December and here in Australia last week, has so far grossed US$12M and has garnered generally positive critical reviews. 

After twenty years of marriage and twenty-six years since they first started dating, Alex and Tess Novak (Will Arnett and Laura Dern respectively) have decided on an amicable end to their marriage. They now face an uncertain future as Alex moves out and takes a rental apartment while Tess remains in the family home. They continue to share co-parenting responsibilities with their two young sons Felix (Blake Kane) and Jude (Calvin Knegten). One evening after they have separated Alex finds himself unable to pay the US$15 cover charge at the Olive Tree Cafe, and so puts his name down for the open mic night at the Comedy Cellar, located in the basement of the Cafe. Alex begins to regularly do stand-up comedy routines, and he forms a bond with the other stand-up comic regulars at the cafe. In turn he has a one night stand with Jill (Jordan Jensen), a fellow comic. Tess returns to her passion of volleyball having retired from the sport after representing the USA at a professional level to raise a family. She is later offered a place as Assistant Coach for the 2028 Summer Olympics, and has dinner with Laird (Peyton Manning) a mid-40 year old former Netball player also turned coach, and also divorced. 

After dinner with Laird, he offers to take Tess to the Comedy Cellar which as it happens is the same night that Alex is offered a ten minute slot as a featured act. During his routine Alex opens up about having had sex with another woman for the first time in over twenty years and says that he was never unfaithful to his wife, and comments that he is not very good at it. Laird offers to leave but Tess wants to stay and can't believe her eyes and ears! Outside, Alex and Tess confront each other about moving on so quickly, but the two reconcile, laugh it off and have sex later that night. Later on, at Jude's tenth birthday party the pair seem to reconnect, while having fun with their family and close friends, but choose to maintain a casual distance at this point for fear of confusing their children.

When Alex and Tess see their friends Balls (Bradley Cooper) and Christine (Andra Day) at a coastal weekend getaway Balls confides in Alex that his separation has inspired him to consider the idea of separating from Christine. Balls is a background Actor who has aspirations beyond his talents it seems, but has been offered a role as a ranch hand in Season Four of a Western series being shot in Texas. Meanwhile Christine says that she has been looking down on Alex due to him reminding her of her past self, and his withering away has also led to herself reconsidering her marriage to Balls.

Tess gets upset when she hears from Alex about his hanging up a large blown-up photo of her from behind in mid-flight as a volleyball athlete at his apartment, as she later brings up during an argument that it makes it look like Alex was only in love with an idea of her. The two then accuse each other of not having each others backs during their relationship.

As a result of that argument Alex's next stand up routine is a bitter rant about relationships, where Alex's Dad Jan (Ciaran Hinds) is in the audience, unknown to Alex. After his routine Alex is sat on a step outside the Comedy Cellar having a cigarette, when he sees his Dad exiting. He tells his son that his thinking is dangerous and that two people in a relationship need to rub against each other. The pair embrace and upon parting company Jan tells Alex to include some jokes next time. 

Balls later visits Alex one morning at his apartment and says that he has talked things out with Christine, saying that they are okay with being confused with each other. Balls also says that they killed off his character in the series, but he has written a part with his character coming back as a ghost to wreak havoc on the ranch, which he is going to pitch to the Producers. He and Christine spent nine days in Texas on set and that helped work things out between them. Alex then shows up at Tess' door, saying that he was not unhappy 'with' their relationship, but rather unhappy 'in' their relationship and that he wants to be unhappy with Tess. The two then show up to Felix and Jude's school performance of 'Under Pressure' and Alex and Tess kiss, and seem very happy together in their renewed relationship.

This character study of Generation X'ers has enough comedy, drama and romance to satisfy anyone in the audience of that era, and in Director Bradley Cooper, he has here delivered a grounded, realistic and authentic tale of a couples fateful decision, and their ultimate retrieval from that decision into a stronger, solidified relationship. Laura Dern and Will Arnett give truly standout performances, whereas Cooper's role is under utilised, almost as though he had bitten off more than he could chew in this his third Directorial offering. Whilst this comedy drama is a shift in genre for Director Cooper, and for some I can see it failing to live up to those expectations, this is nonetheless a noteworthy entry in his film making portfolio and as such worthy of your consideration. That said, despite the ups, downs and up again of their relationship, I came away from the movie theatre with a sense that love conquers all, and that's no bad thing.

'Is This Thing On?' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-