From the Editor: It’s rare to go to the movies without getting some form of political lecture. Whether being preached at about racism, sexism, or whatever “ism” the propagandists are obsessed with at the moment, moviegoing has become an excruciating experience.

That’s why I was hesitant when my husband suggested we go see “Is This Thing On?” Sure, it was plugged by Joe Rogan, but comedians love to help each other. And Laura Dern is an uncertain actress for me, being that she was a purple-haired cat lady feminist in the awful woke Star Wars reboot. But she was David Lynch’s favorite actress, and I’m always willing to give comedy a chance.

So off we went. We paid and got some burgers (thank God we can get burgers at the movies instead of popcorn now), and we sat down, promising each other we could always leave if it was the usual awful Hollywood schlock.

I found myself as anxious as the main character, Alex, played by Will Arnett. The movie starts with him and his wife calling their marriage quits after 20 years. They still hang out with friends together, but he moves out, and they work hard to ensure their two children that the separation isn’t the end of the world. But it really seems like it is for Alex.

He’s on his own most of the time now and lonely. This drives him to try and get a drink at a nearby dive, but he doesn’t have the cover charge. It’s open mic night, and the only way to get in without paying is to sign up to do stand-up. So he puts his name on the list.

He’s not hilarious at first, but his experiences are, and so is his journey finding himself through comedy. This new outlet/coping mechanism gives him something positive to look forward to between visits with his kids. It also helps him understand why he and his wife grew apart.

Spoiler alert: She struggles without him, too, and starts to find herself. This leads them back to each other, and it strengthens their family and friendships.

Alex’s character not only realized the importance of his family, but he also leans on his parents for support. That is an incredible element that we never experience enough. Strong family ties and real friendships matter.

I haven’t enjoyed a movie like this in years. I loved “28 Years Later,” and it also explored the importance of family, but I’m a comedy girl. I want to laugh, a REAL laugh. Not a forced puff of air, or a sarcastic sneer. I want stomach aching, tear-streaking laughter. That’s become a rarity in this over-politicized movie industry. But I got it with “Is This Thing On?”

There was quite a bit of weed use and way too many F-bombs for my taste, but the characters and their journey were so good, that didn’t matter.

Not only that, but as a mother of five who has been through a divorce and second marriage (who will never get divorced again), this story is incredibly moving. It’s all about family and being honest with ourselves in life.

The best line is when Alex tells his wife: I was unhappy in our marriage, I was not unhappy with our marriage.

We’re not always going to be happy, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean we need to shut anyone out. Best of all, a story like this doesn’t mean we can’t laugh when things get rough. If anything, it displays that laughter truly is the best medicine.

Loved it.