Director: James Franco
By Alex Watson
Tommy Wiseau's 'The Room' is a movie that was truly awful. Savaged by critics, it opened on one screen and was expected to disappear into obscurity. Since 2003, a cult following has ensued and the movie holds a special place in the 'So Bad its Actually Good' category. The making of his picture was another story entirely and James Franco has come up with one of the funniest pictures of 2016. The Disaster Artist feels like the Ed Wood of the 21st century and Franco gives us the most offbeat character in Wiseau.
Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) is a semi-talented actor living in San Francisco. One day during acting class he witnesses the bizarre yet utterly fearless Tommy Wiseau (James Franco). From this, an unlikely friendship is born. Both attempt fame and fortune by moving to Los Angeles, but their severe lack of talent and contacts extremely hinders them. Frustrated by the Hollywood machine, Wiseau decides to create his own movie titled 'The Room'. His lack of experience behind the camera and his strange script will ruffle more than a few feathers though.
The Disaster Artist faithfully adapts Sestero's memoir. The story of the worst movie ever made is one that is a lot of love and respect. When we first meet Wiseau, he's a character with instant magnetism yet you feel a great sense of unease. Sporting an obvious Eastern European accent and looking like he's half asleep, question marks hover over him throughout. Where precisely does he get his seemingly endless supply of money? How old is he? Wiseau can give us laughs from the strangest of places "Don't look at robot crab, he shy!" Franco beautifully sums up his lack of talent and presence acting-wise. Frequently quoting and overacting Shakespeare, at one stage a famous producer (Judd Apatow) angrily tells him "You because you want it, doesn't mean it's going to happen!" suggests he become a villain. He may lack any kind of acting gift, but Franco respects his determination and his desire to become a star really draws us to him.
Sestero is a man with his own issues- although totally faithful to his friend this putting a strain on his relationship with girlfriend Amber (Alison Brie). Wiseau emerges as an insane genius during filming and Franco brilliantly recreates some The Room's most infamous scenes. Making full use of his heavily accented voice- the dreadful dialogue has never sounded better "URR TARRING ME APART LEESA!" From day one its apparent that this movie is a real stinker. Script supervisor Sandy (Seth Rogan) is the weary and frustrated voice of the crew as he picks apart some of the movie's many glaring errors. Fans of The Room will no doubt delight at this aspect. From Wiseau weirdly laughing during a supposedly serious scene to his awkward love scene where his 'position' makes everyone squirm. Although everyone tells Tommy to stop and to give up- he refuses to give in. The cast and crew are suspicious of this picture throughout and question and are confused what the movie is even about? Acting pro Carolyn (Jacki Weaver) is quick to point out that the infamous breast cancer reveal "Never comes back!"
Seemingly realizing his production is doomed- Wiseau soon becomes a tyrant on-set. Showing up late, refusing to provide air conditioning or water and now extremely jealous and petty with Greg. Tommy soon alienates everyone. Although he acts like a jerk we do hold a small amount of pity for him because he knows this is his one shot and it's going up in flames. The comedy aspect of The Disaster Artist is put on the backburner during the third act as Franco shows us the pain of art being misunderstood and the bewilderment of failure. He does provide us with an ending which is glorious in its failure. Showing us the disastrous premiere and the hilarious reaction of the audience members to this awful film. Franco also captures the spirit and the affection that filmgoers hold for this movie. A financial and critical failure upon its release- but despite this Tommy Wiseau has achieved his dream!
You couldn't have chosen a better Tommy Wiseau than James Franco. Superbly capturing his bizarre voice and his weird persona, this role fits Franco so well it hurts. Effectively channeling his softer side along with his more toxic one- this character comes across as a man with no quit in him. Coming up with moments of comedic gold, Franco is able to get laughs from audiences wherever possible and this might just be the funniest character of 2017. Brother Dave Franco also impresses as the more rational but equally talentless Greg Sestero. Against the unpredictable and often volatile Wiseau, Greg is the calm voice of reason whom his friend slowly grows to resent.
A love letter to the worst movie ever made The Disaster Artist is a picture that shows that sometimes even failures can make an impression. Remember to bring your spoons though!
