What's the Deal with Bradley Cooper's Film, 'Is This Thing On?'

The brilliant filmmaker behind A Star Is Born—and the not-so-brilliant filmmaker behind Maestro is back with Is This Thing On? For some reason, I’m only just now hearing about it, even though filming wrapped this month and Searchlight Pictures is eyeing a fall release, which suggests that maybe Bradley Cooper is angling for another shot at Oscar gold.

Or maybe not. Cooper isn’t the lead this time; he plays the best friend (maybe he figures he’s got a better shot at a trophy as a supporting actor after 12 losing nominations in other categories). The film stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern as Alex and Tess, a couple who’ve reached an amicable end to their marriage after several happy years together, “thus beginning the awkward stage of figuring out how to live separately while raising two boys and maintaining their friendships. Alex discovers a new hobby and, in the process, learns more about himself and his relationship.”

That new hobby? Stand-up comedy. Which explains why the cast is packed with rising stand-up comics like Jordan Jensen, Reggie Conquest, James Tom, and one of my personal favorites, Chloe Radcliffe. Peyton Manning is in the film too, for some reason, as are Sean Hayes and his husband.

In addition to directing and acting in the film, Cooper also operated the B-camera, which explains why he’s holding a camera above while Will Arnett and Laura Dern kiss. Also, that facial hair? Serious dirtbag energy.

Stand-up films haven’t exactly lit the box office on fire (see Judd Apatow’s Funny People or Tom Hanks’ Punchline), but maybe Cooper can crack the formula and deliver a rom-com-adjacent film that actually works in theaters.