Richard Crouse

SYNOPSIS: In “Is Thing On?” a new feelgood divorce drama now playing in theatres, Will Arnett plays a suburban dad who uses stand-up comedy as self-therapy during a difficult divorce.

CAST: Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Cooper, Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole and Ciarán Hinds. Directed by Bradley Cooper.

REVIEW: A mix of drama, comedy and catharsis, “Is This Thing On?” is an intimate story of mid-life discovery and risk taking.

Loosely based on the true story of British comedian John Bishop, “Is Thing On?” wastes no time in jumping into its story. When we first meet longtime couple Alex (Will Arnett) and Tess Novak (Laura Dern) a sense of stagnation has settled on their marriage like a shroud. “We need to call it,” says Tess, “right?” Dissatisfied and struggling to find a sense of identity outside their marriage, they split. It’s amicable, but both are quietly devastated, as they co-parent their two young sons.

As former Olympic volleyball player Tess forges a new path forward in life, Alex finds an unexpected but therapeutic outlet, stand-up comedy. He’s never been on stage, but when the doorman at the Comedy Cellar in NYC tells him he doesn’t have to pay cover if he signs up to do a set, he gives it a shot. Mixing vulnerability and humor, the outlet stand up offers teaches him how to get in touch with his feelings and his relationship with Tess. “The whole experience,” he says, “to be honest, made me miss my wife.”

“Is Thing On?” director Bradley Cooper, who also plays Alex’s best friend, puts aside the formalism of his last movie “Maestro” in favor of a looser, more intimate style. His handheld camera provides an up close and personal look at the action.

For the actors that means there is nowhere to hide. The vérité style reveals the subtleties of the performances, particularly of the leads Arnett and Dern. As each character looks inward, searching for answers, the camera studies them. Later, as answers reveal themselves the camera pulls back, taking in a more fulsome view of the couple.

Arnett has never been better, riding the line between comedy and drama in a raw, vulnerable performance.

Dern, whose story blossoms in the film’s second half, takes full advantage of the film’s intimate nature. Her ability to portray nuance in the space between sadness and grace brings Tess to vivid life.

“Is This Thing On?” uses these natural, quiet performances as the backbone of an observational movie that weaves melancholy, humor and introspection into a thoughtful film of self-discovery.