Is This Thing On?
Movies about crumbling marriages are pretty common. They often focus on the emotional struggle, which can feel heavy. But Bradley Cooper’s new film takes a different path. The story follows Alex and Tess Novak, played by Will Arnett and Laura Dern. After deciding to separate, Alex decides to perform stand-up comedy. He turns their relationship problems into jokes.
At first glance, it seems like the story leans more toward Alex’s side. But the script also explores Tess’s journey. Once a champion volleyball player, she left her career to raise their kids. As the story unfolds, both characters try to find happiness again, which results in unexpected twists, even flirting with the idea of cheating on each other.
This movie dives deep into what love really means. Sometimes, when we feel distant from our partner, it’s not them we’ve fallen out of love with; it’s how we feel about life itself. Cooper’s direction and the strong performances, especially by Dern, make this story engaging.
Recent statistics show that open-mic nights are on the rise, with a 15% increase in participation over the last year. This suggests that more people seek out laughter and creativity as a way of coping with life’s challenges.
Available January 9 in theaters.
January Special Screenings
KRCL’s Music Meets Movies: Dig! XX @ Brewvies features a special screening of the 2004 documentary about the Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre. Catch it on January 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, or 2-for-1 with a KRCL shirt. More details at brewvies.com.
Trent Harris Weekend @ SLFS: Experience two unique films—1991’s Rubin & Ed and 1995’s Plan 10 from Outer Space. These screenings show the quirky style of independent filmmaker Trent Harris. Join us on January 9 for a comedic adventure in the Utah desert with tickets at slfs.org.
Rob Reiner Retrospective @ Brewvies Sunday Brunch: Celebrate the work of Rob Reiner, with screenings of This Is Spinal Tap on January 11, The Princess Bride on January 18, and Stand By Me on January 25. All screenings are free, first-come, first-served. Check brewvies.com for details.
David Lynch Retrospective @ SLFS: Commemorate the legacy of David Lynch with screenings of films like Eraserhead and Mulholland Dr. from January 11 to January 19. Experience the world of Lynch on the big screen at slfs.org.
Death by Numbers @ Utah Film Center: This documentary by Kim A. Snyder tells the story of Sam Fuentes, a school shooting survivor using poetry to express her experience. Join us for a screening and a live Q&A on January 14 at 7 p.m. Registration is available on the Utah Film Center website.
