Bradley Cooper’s exacting look at a fragile relationship is reminiscent of Robert Altman’s films, remaining close to the people and plunging right into the thick of things. When the film starts, the relationship has just ended. While brushing her teeth in the bathroom, Tess (Laura Dern) soberly says to Alex (Will Arnett): “shall we call it?“ He soberly agrees and suggests to sleeps on the sofa. Tess says no. Both of them are visibly tired, exhausted from year-long conflicts that are felt without having to be verbalized. IS THIS THING ON? follows what happens after a separation which isn’t a radical break, because Alex and Tess continue to be connected through children, parents, and mutual friends. But they search for new paths: Tess remembers her volleyball career and tries to start a career as a trainer, and Alex stumbles into a comedy club one night and gets on stage. A charming aspect of IS THIS THING ON? Is that Alex isn’t an especially good stand up comedian. He’s likable when he somewhat self-pityingly talks about his life, but his gags are pretty thin and stale. That doesn’t play a role: in his sets, he finds a challenge that distracts him and he finds a community outside of his circle in the amateur stand up colleagues. Cooper, Arnett, and Mark Chappell's screenplay cleverly intertwines the ups and downs of Alex's new relationship status with his varying degrees of success. All the situations and characters, even the supporting roles, feel real and believable. It's just a bit of a shame that the film doesn't give Laura Dern's Tess the same amount of screen time.

Hendrike Bake

Translation: Elinor Lewy