At the 2025 London Film Festival, Bradley Cooper steps behind the camera for a deeply personal comedy that blurs biopic and stand-up special. Is This Thing On? takes inspiration from Liverpool comedian John Bishop’s own marital misadventures, and transforms them into a warm, witty exploration of love, laughter and second chances.
An unusual premise comes to life
On paper, the idea sounds almost absurd: Cooper directs a film inspired by Bishop’s real-life experience, yet he refrains from turning it into a straightforward documentary. Instead, Is This Thing On? follows Alex (Will Arnett), whose wife Tess (Laura Dern) inadvertently discovers a stand-up routine in which he mercilessly roasts her. Faced with public humiliation, the couple spirals toward divorce—only to find unexpected pathos and humour as they rebuild their bond.
Stand-up as a form of therapy
Cooper co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Chappell and Arnett himself, and the result crackles with the energy of live comedy. The film deftly toggles between on-stage performances and private moments, emphasising how humour can both heal and hurt. One of the most striking lines, delivered by Arnett’s Alex, is: “I wasn’t unhappy with our marriage; I was unhappy in our marriage.” It lands like a punchline that cuts deep, revealing raw truths behind every joke.
Laura Dern and Will Arnett’s electric chemistry
Laura Dern brings emotional gravity to Tess, a woman whose pride is shattered on stage. She navigates heartbreak and indignation with a nuanced balance of vulnerability and dry wit. Opposite her, Will Arnett bursts with a confident swagger as Alex—his timing impeccable, his delivery razor-sharp. Together, they create a couple you both root for and roast by turns.
Bradley Cooper’s memorable cameo
Although he appears on screen for barely fifteen minutes, Bradley Cooper steals every scene he touches. As Arnie, Alex’s outlandish best friend and struggling actor, Cooper indulges in playful meta-gags—winking at the audience with self-aware humour. Far from merely patting himself on the back, he uses each appearance to escalate the film’s comic intensity without ever overshadowing the main story.
Precision editing drives the narrative
The film’s editing plays a crucial role in maintaining a brisk tempo. Transitions from stand-up stage to deserted bedroom, from laughter echoing in a club to stunned silence in a kitchen, are handled with deft cuts. These juxtapositions heighten the emotional stakes, reminding viewers that comedy often masks deep insecurities.
Nostalgia tinged with sentimentality
John Bishop serves as an executive producer, and his real-world perspective is woven into the narrative. Yet in bringing his story to screen, the film occasionally opts for a rose-tinted view of love. Tess and Alex’s reunion feels almost too inevitable, as though the script has smoothed away the messy complexities of modern marriage. At times, you may find yourself longing for a bit more grit to balance the tear-jerking moments.
A heartfelt homage to a comic legend
Ultimately, Is This Thing On? is a love letter to stand-up comedy and its power to restore faith in relationships. It honours Bishop’s legacy while forging its own identity—a heartfelt divorce comedy that earns its laughs through sincerity rather than cheap sentiment. As Cooper, Arnett and Dern navigate the minefield of miscommunication and misplaced humour, they offer a surprising reminder: sometimes the most memorable punchlines are those that hit home.
Release plans and festival buzz
Premiering at the London Film Festival, the film has already generated enthusiastic buzz among critics and audiences alike. While no UK release date has been confirmed, distributors are keen to bring this uniquely British comedy to cinemas in early 2026. Expect queues at midnight showings—after all, laughter and love know no time limits.
