Isso Ainda Está de Pé?

Watching the trailer I noticed something Marvelously familiar in the story line. Just as Midge Maisel found herself bottoming out in life, Alex finds the stage as "nothing left to lose" moment and lets it out. I will have to wait until January 8th or until it comes to town to find out if I shares the same story line as the Marvelous Ms. Maisel.

I'm convinced Bradley Cooper is becoming the new Oscar-Bait filmmaker because it shows.

What Cooper offers is a very strong performance from Will Arnett and Laura Dern, yet, a predictable, cheesy, and basic narrative and concept, that doesn't really offer anything new to the core of comedy-drama. First thing is first, Cooper's direction on the atmosphere, presentation, and style, is mostly okay. The presentation is acceptable, there are some solid humor moments, and has some nice colors presented throughout. Having loved Arnett's vocal performances on Bojack Horseman, Arnett's performance was pretty good, as his personality and dynamics were the best aspects about the movie.

Unfortunately, as a whole, the narrative, as mentioned, is predictable. Each moment whether on it's humor dynamics, writing, and the concepts feel slim, cheesy, and follows pretty much most basic and non-creative comedy-drama. Beat per beat, which makes each moment too easy to follow, and easy to guess. The characters, were quite unlikable. Unlikeable characters can be well-written and engaging if they are given more depth and personality, unfortunately, Cooper offers little to nothing to the characters, which makes it a little difficult to believe them nor engage with their conflicts, and dynamics.

The musical score feels cheap, and there are some pacing aspects that feel a bit too slow. The dialogue feels clunky. As at times, there are some good dialogue moments between characters, and at the same time, some of them felt off-putting, weird, and fake.

Overall, Cooper, once again, just made another okay movie. Sadly, his remake of A Star Is Born and Maestro are pretty much good examples of Oscar Bait, and here, once again, comes another.

When did marriage vows incorporate the promise of living an inviolable life of happily ever after? It often feels like many of those who enter into such a contract believe that there's supposed to be an inherent entitlement to perpetual wedded bliss, but, as they often discover, that proves not to be the case. So then what? Where do couples who've hit rough patches go from there? For most, it's often separation and/or divorce, but is that really the most effective solution? As this latest offering from writer-actor-director Bradley Cooper illustrates, the trouble may lie with considerations other than a husband and wife's compatibility - and if that issue proves not to be at fault, continued happiness might ensue, and no need for a parting of the ways may be required. Having been married for 20 years, Alex Novak (Will Arnett) and his wife, Tess (Laura Dern), have found their marriage faltering, but they don't seem particularly hostile toward one another. Still, they decide to separate and begin investigating divorce. However, why would they go this route if they don't feel contempt for one another or a lack of chemistry between them, especially given the complex logistics involved in expenses, setting up two households and figuring out how to share custody of their two sons (Blake Kane, Calvin Knegten). Perhaps their difficulty rests more with a lack of personal fulfillment in their individual lives than in the nature of their relationship. And having some time apart may be just the ticket to learning this and finding a way to restore the missing individual satisfaction that has made each of them feel unfulfilled (and thereby affecting the character of their marriage). For Tess, this means exploring the possibility of getting into coaching women's volleyball, a sport she once excelled at herself. And, for Alex, it involves an impromptu stab at stand-up comedy at a New York open mic night, a lark that ends up proving to be a talent he never knew he possessed and that gives him enjoyment, recognition and an informal but viable form of therapy that helps him get his life back on track. Their respective endeavors change the way they see themselves and their relationship. But, since they've publicly proclaimed their intention to part company, what do they do now that they've discovered that their marriage may not be the problem after all? Do they keep up the pretense of separation, or do they bite the bullet and announce that initiating divorce proceedings was a mistake? In that regard, then, the film's title thus becomes an ironic double entendre, one that characterizes the resurgent on-again/off-again nature of their relationship, in addition to a common face-saving observation comedians make about the alleged malfunctioning of their on-stage microphones when a routine appears to be heading south. "Is This Thing On?" provides viewers with not only an intriguing look at the world of stand-up, but also how an impulsive venture might unwittingly help to transform an unsatisfying life into something richly rewarding at a time when such a change is least expected. Its therapeutic nature, coming at a seemingly inopportune time, reveals much that had long been hidden, breathing new life into an undertaking that was nearly (and erroneously) written off for good. And it accomplishes this with a frankness and honesty rarely seen in movies about relationships, both with a partner and with oneself. This is largely made possible by the superb performances of Arnett, who shows off acting chops many of us probably never knew he possessed, and Dern, who turns in yet another signature portrayal, continuing to illustrate the tremendous range she possesses as an actress. It's been disappointing to see this release shut out of awards season consideration thus far, but here's hoping that turns around in the remaining competitions. And, from where I stand, that's no laughing matter.

I was really looking forward to this. A depressed stand up comedian is a nice premise, usually a solid mix. It feels grounded in realism from start to finish.

I attended a Q&A screening, where I learned the film is partly based on the true story of a British comedian. That point was mentioned almost defensively like, "if you think this isn't realistic, you're wrong because it actually happened!" But honestly, the story never felt fabricated at all. It already felt authentic and didn't need to be defended. The start of Alex's comedy career reminded me of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel".

Bradley Cooper also shared that Arnett spent time performing real stand-up sets at the Comedy Cellar to prepare and the stand-up scenes were filmed in front of real, non-actor audiences which keeps the raw, uncomfortable energy.

As someone who watches a lot of stand up, I loved how many real comedians were cast. Instead of just one or two, the film is packed with actual New York stand-up regulars like Chloe Radcliffe, Jordan Jensen, and Reggie Conquest. I even recognized bits from some of their real routines, which added so much to the authenticity.

On the dramatic side, the cast is excellent. And despite the premise, this isn't really a movie about stand-up comedy. Alex actually works in finance; so this is a story about divorce, identity, and self-discovery through art, with stand-up as the vehicle rather than the destination.

It didn't feel like watching a movie, felt like observing people's lives. The film offers an intimate look at a marriage unraveling without slipping into melodrama. It's a warm, introspective dramedy. I didn't laugh much though; instead, I found myself invested in the characters. Ironically the funniest moment wasn't a joke onstage, it was the dog wandering out scene.

One potential point of debate is whether the stand up routines themselves are funny. Early on, the awkward, unfunny sets felt very true to what beginner comics actually sound like. While it might've been nice to see a truly killer set by the end, it also makes sense that we don't, Alex is still early in his journey. He's not a polished comic yet.

Unlike comedy films that fast track success or center around seasoned comics, this one focuses on the drudgery. It portrays stand up as therapy, and where bombing is part of the process. That realism really worked for me.

The film also feels deeply New York. It feels nice to recognize the spaces and the overall vibe. It avoids a glossy, romanticized version of the city and instead opts for something scrappier and more lived-in. Large portions were shot at the Comedy Cellar and the Olive Tree cafe just there.

Will Arnett gives a vulnerable, grounded performance as Alex, and the chemistry between him and Laura Dern is the emotional backbone of the film. Their dynamic feels painfully real, sad and authentic. Every character feels carefully crafted and fully lived in, which makes some scenes tough to watch because felt real.

I really loved this movie. It made me appreciate Bradley Cooper as a director more, I'm mostly indifferent to him. Made me more inclined to revisit his stuff as a director.

I didn't expect the ending at all - and it genuinely made me happy.

Thank you, Bradley, for giving me something hopeful to watch on Christmas night while navigating life after a long, painful divorce. This film reminded me that marriages can evolve, change, and sometimes work in ways we don't expect. I'm grateful for that message. Screw the haters. I look forward to seeing you again in New Hope, you're such a gentleman. Kimberly.