A collaboration between Alice Springs Cinema and 8CCC - Current/Coming soon Cinema CCC, begins. Kate Lyons-Dawson presents a weekly film review on Brekky each Thursday.

First one now showing! Is this Thing On?

Directed by Bradley Cooper and based on true events, the sceenplay was written by Cooper, Mark Chappell and Will Arnett, who also plays the leading man.

Extreme close-up shots clue us in to where the film might be going – and we’re watching, almost in free fall, the unfolding of a marriage breakdown, with Laura Dern, well-cast as the other half. This is based on a true story of a British stand up comedian and it starts out in familiar territory, until a stolen cookie quietly alters the direction and our assumptions.

There’s some clever exposition of the generation above and below this troubled 40-something couple, in ways that many audience members will relate to, especially well-meaning elderly parents. The kids and dogs do a gentle job as useful props and light relief to the ongoing drama. The tension remains quite tight throughout so that the audience is never quite sure what way it will turn.

NY stars with both its suburbs and its live comedy scene, as well as a side trip to the Hamptons and the camera follows the constant action. There’s just enough humour and celebration to balance the sad themes. The James Newberry score never overwhelms and knits it all together, peaking with the apt track by Bowie & Queen - Under Pressure.

Now Showing - check times at https://www.alicespringscinema.com.au/movie/is-this-thing-on

Support the show: https://8ccc.com.au/donate

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