The comedian's dramatic turn is now a time-honored tradition in Hollywood, and the next in line to receive his dramatic mask will be a Canadian. Will Arnett.
After years of making funny Developmental delay, 30 Rock, BoJack Horseman and many other shows (as well as lending his earnest baritone voice to Lego Batman and those failed RBC commercials), Arnett takes on a role that not only expands his dramatic abilities, but also gives the actor a more personal side that we haven't yet seen. As Alex, Arnett portrays a middle-aged man dealing with the end of his marriage to Tess (Laura Dern), and find solace and stability in stand-up comedy.
Is this thing on? This is Bradley Cooper's third directorial effort and is undoubtedly my favorite of his works to date. Cooper creates an intimate world, merciless, but at the same time tender in its reality. As Alex and Tess try to find a new normal as parents and friends, they go through all the crap that all couples go through as they unravel their story together, for better or for worse. The scale is significantly reduced compared to the grandiose elements of show business. A star is born and superb nature Maestrooffering a look at a more modest Cooper.
The story is loosely based on British comedian John Bishop's breakup and eventual reconciliation with his wife, although Bishop was not given writing credit in the film. Instead, Cooper, Arnett and British screenwriter Mark Chappell co-wrote the script, and, at least for the first two of them, their high-profile divorces in recent years lend a degree of familiarity that adds to the film's depth.
While Arnett's performance reveals him as an actor, Dern's portrayal of Tess reminds us of the incredible consistency she has given audiences over the decades. Neither character explicitly asks for our sympathy, but Dern demands it for Tess. She gives the character a thousand minute-long expressions and sharp breaths, creating a person many of us recognize either in ourselves or in those around us: the kind-hearted woman at the end of a rope.
Is this thing on? It might not be a big deal this awards season, but that's not the point of the film. This movie wasn't made to take home trophies or even big box office numbers; instead, for Cooper and Arnett, it feels like a way to communicate through a medium in which they find safety and comfort, a way to express themselves as artists. And it's a job well done.
