LOS ANGELES, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Is This Thing On?, in theaters Dec. 19, is a mature take on finding new interests later in life. Though made by very famous faces, it offers a refreshing take where the pursuit itself is the success.
Alex (Will Arnett) and Tess (Laura Dern) decide to divorce when their sons are 10. One night, Alex visits The Comedy Cellar in New York and puts his name on the list because he doesn't have cash for the cover charge.
When they call his name, Alex takes the stage and improvises some actual jokes while being real. He likes it enough that he continues to do standup and makes friends with the other comedians.
Director Bradley Cooper never shows Alex at his day job, but he says it is in finance. He explicitly confirms he's not quitting his career, but standup is more than just a hobby.
It is refreshing that the plot of Is This Thing On? is not about Alex becoming great and trying to get signed. That's the Hollywood underdog version, but here it's enough that Alex just wants to be good enough to keep doing it.
