IS THIS THING ON? proves that comedy can be therapeutic in this true story written by Will Arnett, Bradley Cooper, and Mark Chappell. The film shines on many levels, especially with Cooper’s direction (which reminds me of David O. Russell’s chaotic style in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK), Matthew Libatique’s raw, shaky camera work, and the vulnerable performances from Will Arnett and Laura Dern.
We don’t often get to see love stories about people in their 50s, but this year we have IS THIS THING ON? and SONG SUNG BLUE. IS THIS THING ON? stood out to me because it looks at what happens when a marriage breaks down, and how people move forward. SONG SUNG BLUE, on the other hand, is about a lasting love. What I appreciated about each of them was their raw honesty in capturing how “people change, but love (in marriages) always remains the same.”
My main nit with IS THIS THING ON? is that it feels small. This is Will Arnett and Laura Dern’s acting showcase. Both of them are figuring out how to “be okay” after a separation, and that journey is at once terrifying, relatable, and brave.
Final Thought: I was hoping IS THIS THING ON? would be one of my favorite films this year. It didn’t quite get there, but it’s the kind of comfort movie I’ll happily rewatch when it hits streaming.
It’s coming to theaters on Friday, December 19th.
