The Room (2003)

It’s time to finally review this film that would be the breakout of a cult icon by the name of Tommy Wiseau.

Johnny is a successful banker who is living the great life in San Francisco. He lives in an apartment with his fiancé Lisa and spends time hanging out with his best friend Mark. However, his “perfect” world is about become unraveled in a way he never imagined. Lisa, realizing she needs more out of her life, successfully attempts to seduce Mark when she gets bored with Johnny. To give Johnny the hint, she begins to accuse him of abuse and makes his life insane. When everything is revealed at a party, Johnny finds his life completely turned upside down, changing it forever.

Many have called this “the worst movie to ever come out”, but let’s face it. There have been far worse films than this. Yes, the acting is really bad to the point of funny. And it is believed to be a romantic drama film but Wiseau even mentioned after the release that he meant to release it as a “so bad it’s good” comedy and if that was his intention, he succeeded in more ways than one.

This is the story of a love triangle, a very insane love triangle. Despite the hilarious combination of monotony and an over the top performance, Wiseau’s Johnny is the type of character you can only feel sorry for. He had it all only to be turned away out of nothing more than boredom on the part of Lisa, played by Juliette Danielle. And Lisa has her own issues as her mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer. However, it is clear she finds Mark, played by Greg Sestero, more attractive and hence the love affair begins.

It is sometimes hard to feel sorry for Mark as he finds himself attempting to stay loyal to best friend Johnny and yet succumb to Lisa’s charms. It is like he is dragged in the middle and forced to choose. And then let’s not forget the film’s complete sense of “randomness”. This includes Johnny, Mark, and some other guys decked out in tuxedos and playing football. Wiseau’s use of football is similar to that of let’s say, John Woo and his use of the white doves in his films.

The film can be considered an ultimate “cult classic” and co-star Sestero wrote a book about the making of the film called The Disaster Artist, which in turn was the basis for the hilarious film that marked the directorial debut of James Franco, who played Wiseau.

While there are those who consider The Room to be the worst movie made, there are clearly far worse films but it is safe to say this is an ultimate cult classic and made Tommy Wiseau an ultimate cult icon.

WFG RATING: B+ for its so bad it’s good quality.

A Wiseau-Films production. Director: Tommy Wiseau. Producer: Tommy Wiseau. Writer: Tommy Wiseau. Cinematography: Todd Barron. Editing: Eric Chase.

Cast: Tommy Wiseau, Juliette Danielle, Greg Sestero, Philip Haldiman, Carolyn Minnott, Robyn Paris, Mike Holmes, Dan Janjigian, Kyle Vogt, Greg Ellery.