The Disaster Artist (Review)

Edited by: Caitlin Gunst

To make a movie that becomes a mainstay in pop culture in the vein of Star Wars or Harry Potter is no easy task, and no filmmaker can determine how their film will be received by the world. So, picture this: a director who has little to no skill as a producer, actor or, well, a director—but has the determination to get their film out to the world and a vision that defies general convention.

This is what self-proclaimed “mastermind” Tommy Wiseau did nearly a decade and a half ago. His movie The Room and its midnight, interactive screenings have remained constants in the same pop culture that champions Lord of the Rings and Batman. Spoon-throwing, chanting, and yelling are expected to this day at the interactive screenings, as well as endless amounts of laughter. So why do the masses flock to see this film? Why do they laugh with something they originally laughed at? It’s an experience, as simple as that. It brings people together again and again with its unique retelling of a man following his dreams – however, err, misguided they may be.

Naturally anyone who has seen The Room would be curious to see the story behind one of the most (in)famous films of the last 20 years. How does director and star James Franco bring nuance, character arcs and in-focus cinematography to the story behind a film that had none of these? This retelling could easily come off as a gimmick and a quick way to make money, but Franco and co. don’t make the same mental leap as the rest of us when they think of Tommy Wiseau—weird and creepy. I mean, sure, he’s a bit weird and creepy, but he also had a whole lot of heart and a whole lot more stubbornness.

Just like other people from LA, Tommy Wiseau and friend, Greg Sestero (who wrote the book The Disaster Artist is based on), had dreams and aspirations to make it big like their hero James Dean. The film certainly touches on the mysterious backstory of Tommy Wiseau, such as his age, origin and where he gets his money from; yet while it’s certainly part of Wiseau’s character, it can’t sustain a 105-minute film. James Franco brings a charm to the role, whether that be his ignorance to what people think of him when he plays out a scene in a diner, or his spontaneous decision to visit the site of James Dean’s car crash. If you’ve seen The Room you would be familiar with Wiseau’s unique speech patterns and syntax, which Franco doesn’t force down our throats the way impersonators do at the interactive screenings. The performance really succeeds, not because it’s intentionally comedic, but because it’s an honest portrayal of a real person, even if that person is strange.

The Disaster Artist’s small moments and nuances often feel like The Room’s and the film certainly benefits from this, just as it manages to get some genuine laughs. Fortunately, it also manages to remain witty and not come off as forced or unintentional, as was the downfall of The Room. Franco is aware that this is an unusual story and he’s sure to not treat it as a fairy tale or an atypical Hollywood success story, but rather a story that focuses on the friendship of two men, and a vision they both believed in almost as much as they believed in each other.

The Room’s set-like look is echoed to create nostalgia towards the original film. The spontaneity of story threads, alien performances, and people that don’t feel like humans are improved upon by Franco’s ability to recognise the humanity within abnormality. We see people on the set of The Room dealing with the troubles they’re having with Tommy, but it’s brought up to serve the main narrative unlike the complete non-linear structure of The Room. Wiseau’s lack of dimension manages to be an asset to Franco and his performance. People who like stories about odd friendships will certainly find something in this film, as we see Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) get to know Tommy and as they bond over football, James Dean, and their dreams. They share the same vision and determination, but this is ultimately put to the test when they are shooting The Room and Wiseau becomes ever more demanding and erratic. This puts a strain on their relationship, and for the cast and crew it soon becomes a nightmare rather than the once-pleasant dream of success.

Overall Score: 9/10

The Disaster Artist is in cinemas now.

What do you think of The Disaster and The Room?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Director: James Franco

Written by: Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber

Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan, Ari Graynor, Alison Brie, Jackie Weaver, Paul Scheer, Zac Efron, Josh Hutcherson, and many, many celebrity cameos.

Cinematography: Brandon Trost

Music: Dave Porter

Editor: The Disaster Artist