Review – The Disaster Artist

Tommy Wiseau’s The Room (2003) is the epitome of a movie that is “so bad, it’s good.”  What was supposed to be a serious relationship drama about the human condition turned out to be one of the worst films ever created.  A film of blind ambition and passion with erratic direction, the film has become a comedic cult classic that still plays to sold out midnight screenings around the world.  How in the world this movie got made and released was a complete mystery to everyone except the people who were part of its creation.

Well, consider that mystery solved.  James Franco’s masterful The Disaster Artist shows us the bonkers production of The Room and it is something to behold.  But the movie is much more than just a behind-the-scenes look at a movie.  This is a movie that looks at friendship, artistic passion, and following your dreams, in what has to be the weirdest inspirational movie I’ve ever seen.

The movie begins by looking at the relationship between Tommy (Franco) and Greg Sestero (Dave Franco), who met by being outcasts in an acting class and formed a bond by one simple dream: to make it in Hollywood.  Even though Tommy is incredibly weird, with an unrecognizable accent, a boat load of money from some unknown source, and an age that could be anywhere from his mid-twenties to his forties, Greg vibes off of Tommy’s passion, and the two eventually move to Los Angeles to pursue acting.  After a number of failures, Tommy decides to write, direct, produce, and star in his own movie, The Room.  The production is a living hell, as Tommy’s ego and vision take over, which causes his relationship with Greg to waiver and force both of them to question their dream.

The Disaster Artist is based on a book written by Tom Bissell and Greg Sestero.  The book is a great read and dives into more detail than the movie does.  But what Franco and screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber have done is taken the themes and messages from the book and conveyed it in the movie.  Yes, we do see how the Best Worst Movie Ever was created, but what the movie really focuses on is the relationship between Tommy and Greg and the passion of artists and following your dreams.  Tommy did make a movie that, when taken seriously, is nearly unwatchable.  But what he accomplished is a feat only few people can claim.  There aren’t many people who can claim that they wrote, produced, directed, and starred in a movie that had a premiere, was released, and actually got an Oscar qualifying run.  Tommy did this with the help and motivation from Greg, even if their relationship was rocky at times.  This is a movie that tells us to follow our dreams no matter what anybody tells us.  It tells us to support our friends in their endeavors and to push them to go forward.  I never expected this movie to be this inspirational, but I was honestly moved more in The Disaster Artist than any other film in 2017.

This movie is a James Franco showcase.  In every aspect of the film, Franco owns it.  Maybe it is because Franco is very similar to Tommy in his passion for the arts.  Franco made headlines by doing essentially everything he could artistically.  Whether it was acting, writing, painting, directing, or even teaching at colleges, Franco was all over the place because it was what he wanted to do.  He brings that passion here in every way, directing a film that is uproarious, endearing, sad, and beautiful.  But it is his performance that is the show-stopper.  Franco went full method for this one and it paid off.  He disappears into Tommy.  He has the look, the mannerisms, and that iconic voice down to perfection.  He makes Tommy a rounded character, one who grows throughout the entire film.  He goes from a weird, mysterious dreamer, to arrogant hothead, to a man who’s dream has come true.  It is a powerhouse performance and one of the best of the year.

The rest of the cast is also perfect.  Dave Franco gives easily the best performance of his career as Greg.  Greg acts as the audience here.  Everything he is exposed to and feels is how we feel and it is a roller coaster of a journey.  Franco does a great job of keeping us on the roller coaster and making it a smooth ride.  I also really enjoyed the production team of The Room, with the likes of Seth Rogan, Paul Scheer, Josh Hutcherson, Jacki Weaver, and the hilarious and Zac Efron as the monstrous and oddly named Chris-R.

Speaking of The Room production, every shot from the making of the film is spot-on to the original movie.  Franco and all the actors did their homework on this one, hitting every line beat for beat and shooting every scene at the correct angles.  There is a nice split-screen montage at the film’s end that shows The Disaster Artist‘s actors acting out scenes from The Room right next to the actual scenes from The Room.  It is pure gold.

I loved everything about The Disaster Artist.  I happy, I was sad, I was moved, and I was inspired.  James Franco has created some truly special here.  This is one of the best movies of 2017 and a sensational ode to one of the wildest, weirdest, and worst movies ever made.

Did you see The Disaster Artist?  What did you think?  Comment below or hit me up on Twitter and Instagram, @kevflix, or on Facebook by searching Kevflix.