Is This Thing On (2025)

Plot of Is This Thing On: After many years of marriage during which they have brought two children into the world Alex and Tess Novak decide on an amiable divorce. Tess lives in the former family home, Alex lives in a small apartment. One night, lacking the $15 entry fee, he puts his name down to do stand-up in the Olive Tree Café cellar. He takes his turn and is surprised when his description of his marital situation raises a laugh; this leads him to ongoing performances, on one occasion with his wife, and her male escort in the audience. His wife is a former volleyball star and is offered the port of assistant coach to the Olympic team. They bounce off each other but both are offended by the other’s amorous activities. Alex has had sex with a fellow comic and Tess is going out with a man who Alex despises. Meanwhile their relationship is observed by their friends Balls, and his wife Christine.

Content: We know that sex between Alex and Jill has taken place and some thrusting involving Alex and Tess is viewed through the lens of someone’s glasses. In the background most of the female comic’s jokes seem to involve genitalia. Also some social drinking and a bit of smoking of weed. The high points of the film are probably Alex’s various performances in the café cellar, and he also socialises with the other comics. They are amiable. He gets to see his children at which times he is usually seen in a suit, although we have no idea what his job is. His friend Balls, who is something in the film industry, with wife Christine, entertain the couple and at times both Alex and Tess interact with Alex’s parents, who are supportive of them no matter what.

A View: This a stunningly thin plot which results in the film just staggering along, Will Arnett keeping it afloat. He has a very good voice but it seems a bit obvious that both he and Laura Dern are playing characters who are quite a bit younger than their actual ages. There is an impression, probably intentional, that they are making it up as they go along, with people talking over each other often in semi-darkness, generally making it difficult to watch. I like my films to have scenes and don’t object to ‘acts’. So, in conclusion, only go out to see this film if you like outings about American ’relationships’.

Fun Fact: Jill, who Alex has sex with, is played by Jordan Jensen who is a real comic.