Naomi Weisman is a Canadian-Australian and mother of three, who loves to Ramble with her dog, cook for family and friends, and laugh whenever possible.
As someone from Toronto—and a devoted listener of the podcast Smartless—I was immediately intrigued when I heard that Will Arnett was starring in Is This Thing On?, directed by Bradley Cooper. Knowing that Arnett is also originally from Toronto added a personal layer of interest; there’s a particular satisfaction in watching someone from your own city step into a role that challenges expectations—and succeed.
Like many listeners of the podcast, I had been hearing consistent praise from various guests—as well as from the other two members of the podcast, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes themselves—about Arnett’s performance. The enthusiasm surrounding his dramatic turn built steadily, making it hard not to feel invested before even buying a ticket. Hearing his familiar, easy banter on the podcast only heightened the intrigue, as it was difficult to imagine him stepping so fully into a dramatic space.
I’ll be honest: my familiarity with Arnett’s on-screen work is limited. I know him primarily through his voice—his dry wit, razor-sharp timing, and the effortless way he spars with the other “bros” on Smartless. That version of Arnett feels quick, clever, and emotionally guarded. So the idea of him stepping fully into a dramatic role felt like a leap. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was genuinely excited to see him stretch beyond the persona I thought I knew.
What unfolds on screen is a performance that is quietly astonishing. Arnett doesn’t rely on big gestures or dramatic flourishes. Instead, he gives us restraint, vulnerability, and a kind of emotional honesty that feels earned rather than performed. There is a weariness to his character—a sense of someone grappling with disappointment, regret, and the slow erosion of certainty—that he conveys with remarkable subtlety. It’s the kind of performance that asks the viewer to lean in, to pay attention to pauses, glances, and what remains unsaid.
This is where Is This Thing On? truly succeeds. The film is not interested in tidy resolutions or easy emotional payoffs. It sits with discomfort. It allows space for ambiguity. Under Cooper’s steady direction, the story unfolds at a deliberate pace, trusting the audience to engage with complexity rather than be guided by sentimentality. It’s a mature, thoughtful approach, and it suits the material well.
Arnett’s performance is beautifully complemented by Laura Dern, who plays his wife. Dern is, as always, exceptional. She brings a grounded strength to the role—one that balances empathy with clear-eyed realism. Together, they create a relationship that feels lived-in and painfully real. Their scenes are charged not by conflict alone, but by history: the shared memories, compromises, and quiet fractures that accumulate over time in long partnerships.
What struck me most was how this film reshaped my perception of Arnett. It reminded me how easy it is to flatten public figures into a single dimension—to assume that someone known for humour can’t also carry deep emotional weight. Much like realizing, as adults, that our parents are far more complex than we once believed, Is This Thing On? reveals new layers where we least expect them.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nomi’s Verdict: A quietly powerful film that rewards patience and attention. Will Arnett delivers a deeply moving, unexpected performance—made all the more satisfying to watch knowing he’s a fellow Torontonian—matched beautifully by Laura Dern. Thoughtful, restrained, and emotionally resonant, this is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.
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