Actor Bradley Cooper continues to make a name for himself behind the camera with his latest film, “Is This Thing On?”. As a director, this is Cooper’s third feature following his 2018 box office hit “A Star is Born” and his 2023 Leonard Bernstein biography “Maestro”. Much like his previous two efforts, the intensely hands-on Cooper once again shows his love for character-centric, emotionally resonant stories rooted in human experience. And similar to his earlier films, his latest reveals someone born to be a filmmaker who’s still looking for his first truly great movie.

“Is This Thing On?” is a form-fitting entry into director Bradley Cooper’s small but compelling oeuvre. It explores another complex relationship; it features another struggling protagonist; and it once again uses artistic expression as a key element in the main character’s journey. Cooper himself took the lead in his first two films. This time it’s Will Arnett, and he delivers the best performance of his multifaceted career.

The story begins with Alex Novak (Arnett) and his wife Tess (Laura Dern) agreeing to separate after many years of marriage. The split is amicable, but neither seems confident of what to do next, especially regarding their two young sons. They keep the news a secret for as long as possible, even hiding it from their eccentric best friends, the acerbic Christine (Andra Day) and her obnoxious husband Balls (Cooper). But eventually they’re forced to open up to their friends and family.

As the former couple attempt to navigate this awkward and confusing new phase, Alex is left lost and rudderless. He does his best co-parenting while trying to maintain some semblance of a friendship with Tess. But while alone, Alex struggles to find his identity. That is until he stumbles into a New York City comedy club during open-mic night. There he blithely takes the stage and to his surprise, he immediately wins over the crowd.

Alex begins frequenting the club, taking the microphone whenever he gets a chance. He discovers that he’s not only good at being funny, but performing stand-up offers him a cathartic release. It also becomes a way of processing everything he’s going through. Over time he begins connecting with other comics and finding a place within their tight, intimate community. Meanwhile Tess gets back into coaching volleyball – a passion of hers since her playing days.

Cooper’s willingness to spend time on Alex and Tess’s individual journeys has a significant impact on their story. As the two find happiness away from each other, they begin recalling the happiness they once shared. We see glimmers of it in their interactions, enough to make us wonder if they still have a shot together. But Cooper avoids the easy path, routinely reminding us of the anxiety and uncertainty often found in struggling relationships.

Ciarán Hinds and Christine Ebersole get some good moments as Alex’s loving yet opinionated parents. And there are several small supporting performances that energize Alex’s comedy group. But Arnett and Dern drive the movie, each bringing their own personality and sensibility to their characters. It’s an especially strong turn from Arnett who deftly juggles well-calibrated humor with emotional vulnerability. It’s a tricky role, but one he handles with awards-worthy know-how.

“Is This Thing On?” has occasional slow patches and a handful of second-half exchanges that seem yanked out of the blue. There’s also a certain odd cameo that is a little too distracting in the moment. But Bradley Cooper overcomes those gripes by giving us characters who earn our investment. He makes us care about them and their bittersweet journey in a way that keeps us involved till the end. And Cooper does it all while reinforcing himself as a filmmaker of such depth and passion that his movies demand our attention.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS