The Disaster Artist is a 2017 American biographical comedy-drama film produced and directed by James Franco. Written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, the film is based on Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell’s non-fiction book of the same name, and chronicles the making of Tommy Wiseau’s 2003 The Room, widely considered one of the worst movies ever made. The film stars brothers James and Dave Franco as Wiseau and Sestero, respectively, alongside a supporting cast featuring Seth Rogen (who also produced), Alison Brie, Ari Graynor, Josh Hutcherson, and Jacki Weaver.
The movie tells the story of how Greg met Tommy in acting class as they two lived in San Francisco and asks for help to get rid of his shyness as the former is impressed by the latter’s no holds barred style. As they become friends while trying to get an acting career moving, they decide to move to Los Angeles where they stay in an apartment that Tommy, who seemingly has a lot of wealth though no known source of income, owns. Greg soon finds a talent agency who signs him on but Tommy keeps getting rejected. reg develops a relationship with Amber, whom he meets at a nightclub, and Tommy grows jealous; as he fails to find work, he becomes disheartened. As Greg’s auditions also dry up, he shares his frustrations with Tommy, who decides to make a movie for them both to star in.
Tommy writes the screenplay for The Room, a melodrama about a love triangle and betrayal between banker Johnny (played by Tommy), his fiancée Lisa and his best friend Mark. Greg accepts the role of Mark and an associate producer credit and the two select the cast. They rent out a production house; Tommy insists on buying all the production equipment, and shooting the film on 35 mm film and HD Digital simultaneously, costly and unnecessary measures. Production starts smoothly enough as there is a lot of issues as Tommy always arrives late, forgets his lines (in a hilarious scene on the rooftop) and doesn’t supply his crew with necessities like air conditioning and water, causing an older actress to faint. He even insults the actress playing Lisa during their sex scene.
He also secretly has another camera man record his crew who criticize him and his plans. While at a cafe, Greg runs into Bryan Crantson who knows Amber, and the actor ends up offering him a role in an episode of Malcolm In The Middle. he part requires a beard; as Greg is due to shave his beard for The Room, he begs Tommy to postpone shooting, but Tommy refuses. On the last day of shooting, Greg accuses Tommy of being selfish and duplicitous throughout their friendship, and questions his real age and origins. 8 months pass with no contact between the friends, when Greg gets an invitation for the premier, as do the entire cast and crew and they all show up.
Tommy makes a strange and late entrance and the movie starts with a packed audience (no doubt some of them influenced by the large billboard that Tommy has rented for the movie’s advertising) – the audience reacts first with horror then laughter at the film. Tommy is upset walks out, but Greg comforts him, telling him they have delighted the audience, not angered them. With Greg’s urging, Tommy comes back in and greets the audience takes credit for his “comedic” movie, and receives a standing ovation. the film made $1,800 against its reported $6 million budget during its initial release (Wiseau kept it running for two weeks, allegedly to qualify for the Academy Awards), but it has since become a profitable cult film. Wiseau and Sestero remain friends and, to this day, Wiseau’s age, past life and source of income remain a mystery.
It is strange how good this film is, ironically as it is about the worst film to have been produced, atleast in the US. I’m sure that there are even worse films elsewhere. There are awesome acting moments here. It’s a fun and entertaining flick but I do think you should watch The Room atleast once before you see this one. 8.5 outta 10!