Is This Thing On? Review

 

So this time were taking a step back from murder mysteries and sci-fi action and focusing on a comedy drama.

Is This Thing On? is a comedy drama movie that's loosely based on the life of British comedian John Bishop. Lea Pictures and Archery Pictures produced with Seachlight Pictures doing distribution. Bradley Cooper directed but he also wrote the story along with John Bishop, Will Arnett, and Mark Chappell.

The story is, after spending so many years together Alex and Tess have reached an end to their relationship. Now they're in an awkward stage where they're living separately but still try to raise their two boys. Soon Alex starts a new hobby and in the process starts to learn somethings not only about his self, but his relationship as well.

Initial Reaction

I wanted to see this movie for a very simple reason. While I enjoy my big blockbusters and such, I also enjoy seeing movies that are much more smaller in scale. And what's more smaller in this day and age then a man trying to get through a tough divorce and being a stand up comedian at the same time?

Cons

I've got nothing.

Middle Ground

My only mix feelings was with the pacing. It's pretty good with the comedy bits because they go on at just the rate. But sometimes the movie does feel a bit slower in some scenes, mainly in the group setting stuff.

Pros

Alright now for the good stuff! Let's start off with Bradley Cooper's directing. This is his third time directing and out of his three movies this is a least flashy. Which is fine. For a movie like this is suppose to be small, raw, and realistic. And I found Cooper did a great job at capturing as story that's personal and grounded. I actually hope he does another one of these kinds of movies. Then there's the performances from Will Arnett and Laura Dern. Laura Dern shines her own story with it's own emotional depth. Her grieving process of this marriage coming to an end was just as interesting to watch as it was for Arnett's character. Speaking of whom, I loved Will Arnett is this. Now don't hang for me this but I haven't watched Bojack Horseman, so I don't know how great his serious acting chops were in that so I'm only going by what I saw here. But I digress, anyways, Arnett is incredible here. He's role of a man going through a divorce and mid-life crisis was great. I was focused on his story throughout the whole movie. Arnett brought humor, but he also brought a blend of vulnerability as well. But my absolute favorite part of the whole movie was the story. I loved the story. And I don't just mean the divorce stuff, I mean what it said about comedy and humor. The main theme of the movie is how humor can be bring you out of a dark place your here. How laughter can bring back your smile. All of that stuff. And it true. Maybe not for everybody, but for a lot of people comedy has helped them in life. The movie's not romanticizing comedy as an end all be all. It just has a very powerful and mature theme going for it, and I loved it.

While the pacing could've used some work, I still found myself enjoying the movie. I think you should really check it out. Well after the Christmas season is over. Also remember to spend time with the family first.

My final rating is, Great.

That's gonna do it for me. Come back on Thursday, Dec 25th, Christmas Day, for my Classic Film Night review of, It's a Wonderful Life. I know I just made a big family message, but me and my family celebrate Christmas early in the day so that gives me plenty of time to do a review. But until then, enjoy the rest of your day.