Actor and director Bradley Cooper was joined by his co-stars Will Arnett, Laura Dern and Andra Day at the London premiere of his latest film, ‘Is This Thing On?’ on Tuesday (October 14).
Loosely inspired by the life of British comedian John Bishop and his entry into stand-up comedy, “Is This Thing On?” sees married couple Alex (Will Arnett) and Tess (Laura Dern) decide it’s time to go their separate ways, after several decades together.
Alex faces middle age and divorce and searches for a new purpose in the New York comedy scene.
Meanwhile, his wife, Tess, is confronted with the sacrifices made for their family, forcing them to deal with co-parenting and new identities.
“Is this thing on?” is Bradley Cooper’s third film as director, following “Maestro” and “A Star Is Born.”
“It’s about engaging with life in one way or another” and “coming out of stagnation,” Cooper told Reuters at the film’s premiere at the London Film Festival.
Bishop said it was “so surreal” to write a film based on his life – especially one directed by someone of Cooper’s stature.
Unlike Bishop, who debuted in front of a small crowd of seven people at a modest pub, Arnett’s character Alex began his career at New York’s legendary Comedy Cellar.
Speaking about the film’s message, Arnett told Reuters he hoped people would understand the message that it’s “never too late to be happy.”
“Is this thing on?” is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 19.
