IS THIS THING ON?

Both Dern and Arnett do really great work; Dern is always fantastic, but Arnett really shines in a more dramatic role. My problem is that the focus on a man ranting about his marital problems at a bar isn't particularly compelling. The engaging part of this story is Tess - she is a woman who leaves her husband, who is now telling stories of their relationship to strangers in a comedic setting, while she now has the opportunity to focus on herself and become an Olympic coach. This, instead, is the B-plot, as we see Alex instead of tackling his feelings and frustrations head-on, simply ranting to a crowd of strangers each night. There is an interesting story here, even with Alex and his stand-up journey, but it doesn't all fall into place. The film is surface-level and enjoyable, but it feels as though there could have been a stronger film if they just gone a little deeper.

There is something interesting in Alex and Tess' relationship and break-up. This isn't a couple who hate each other; they have simply reached a point in their marriage where they have fallen out of love. This isn't something that is often portrayed on film, but the story doesn't explore this aspect of their relationship, and like other aspects of the film, it doesn't unpack this element far enough.

The last aspect is the stand-up itself. While Alex does enjoy speaking in front of a crowd, it never feels like he is writing bits and more so just unpacking aspects of his life. While the film does have stand-up comedians in supporting roles, the stand-up is much more background noise than a core focus.

'Is This Thing On?' once again proves Cooper's directing talents, Dern's phenomenal acting, and showcases that Arnett can do drama, but not much more. Its title might make you think this has more to do with stand-up than it does, when in fact it's a dramedy about a marriage that offers more light chuckles than thunderous laughs.