Did you hear the one about the lonely husband who went into a bar? That’s the set up for Bradley Cooper’s third film as director, Is This Thing On?, a shaggy-dog movie that feels a world away from his musically-themed, Oscar-nominated earlier directorial efforts, the A Star Is Born remake and Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro. Those films played out on a grand scale – featuring concerts where the world was watching. Here, the feeling is more intimate. A man on stage, alone, with a mic, pouring his heart out.
Scripted by Cooper, star Will Arnett and British writer Mark Chappell (who penned the delightful murder-mystery from 2022, See How They Run), the film comes loosely inspired by the life of comedian John Bishop. The Scouser stand-up, so the story goes, got into comedy after being at a low-ebb in his personal life. Cooper et al simply transpose this idea to New York. Father-of-two Alex (Arnett) has quietly separated from his wife Tess (Laura Dern), a former volleyball player who gave up her dreams to raise kids.
At first, it’s excruciating as he stands there, like a rabbit in the headlights. But then he starts talking about his impending divorce, poignant material that gets unexpected laughs. It’s a brave and exposing act, one that offers him a much-needed catharsis, so it’s no surprise when he returns for another bash. Around him are experienced comics (played by real strand-ups, including Chloe Radcliffe), willing to offer him advice and a bit of a roasting because, hey, that’s what they do.
View Green Video on the source websiteMeanwhile, Dern yet again offers up a very real, fully fleshed-out and classy turn in a film that feels like a more low-key take on Marriage Story, the Noah Baumbach film that won her an Oscar for her shark-like divorce lawyer. Cooper, meanwhile, feels like a distraction in his role, an oafish character who causes mayhem in the very first scene due to his clumsiness. It never quite works as a bit of casting, even if there must’ve been the temptation to self-cast in the way Woody Allen once did.
Certainly, Is This Thing On? feels like an early Allen movie, a rambling, slightly indulgent but nevertheless sweet New York story. With some fine actors fleshing out the cast, including Ciarán Hinds, who plays Alex’s father, it’s a good exercise for Cooper in creating something more low-key, even if it doesn’t quite come off. Still, in the days where adult-skewing dramas are becoming an endangered species in movie theatres, this should be applauded for attempting the subject of divorce with a level head.
Hence then, the article about is this thing on review bradley cooper turns john bishop s life into sweet but indulgent comedy drama was published today ( ) and is available on Radio Times ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Is This Thing On? review: Bradley Cooper turns John Bishop's life into sweet but indulgent comedy-drama )
Also on site :