James Franco stars and directs the story of one of the most enigmatic filmmakers of our generation and his cult classic of a movie.
Aspiring actor Greg Sestero is in an acting workshop when he meets the mysterious Tommy Wiseau. Tommy and Greg strike up an instant friendship which leads the two to eventually move to Los Angeles together in hopes to pursue their acting dream together. Tommy claims to be rich enough for them to find an apartment together while Greg does modeling jobs to make ends meet. Tommy then comes up with the idea for him and Greg to make a movie together.
With a local cast and crew set, production on the film, called The Room, begins. As director and producer in addition to lead star, Tommy lets his ego make many feel weird and uncomfortable. Seeing Greg as his backup, he even finds that relationship slowly hinder when Greg decides to move in with his girlfriend and even resents Tommy when he is offered to audition for a major TV show. However, despite their obstacles, Tommy and Greg realize the meaning of friendship and eventually the movie is complete. But how will the film itself pan out when it’s released?
In 2003, a film would be hailed as one of the worst motion pictures ever made. That film would be an indie romantic drama called The Room and the mystery would surround the visionary behind it, a filmmaker named Tommy Wiseau. However, in the days since that film’s release, there are been far many worse films, the film itself is now considered even according to Wiseau a comedy cult classic, and yet the story of who Wiseau is still remains a mystery. Enter the co-star of the film, Greg Sestero, to co-write a book about making the film, which years later, would be the basis for this film.
Enter the Franco Brothers, Dave and James, to take the lead roles and James to direct the film. Dave Franco is great as Greg Sestero, the actor and co-author of the book, who finds himself living his dream but not in the way he expected. However, over the course of the film, we see the lessons of friendship learned from both Greg and the mysterious Tommy, played by James Franco. Now, Tommy Wiseau is a man who thrives on being a pure genius and knows what he wants. And that’s how James plays Tommy, as a man who go to great lengths to ensure his dream is fulfilled.
Even with some hilarious hiccups during production of the film, such as the famous line that starts with “I did not hit her!” and the love scene between him and Juliette Danielle, played here by Ari Graynor, it just shows why the actual film in question is hailed as a cult classic to this day. With the likes of Seth Rogen as the assistant director as well as cameos from the likes of Melanie Griffith (as Greg and Tommy’s acting teacher) and Sharon Stone (as a model agent who sees Greg and signs him instantly), it is clear that James Franco did a splendid job on this film and Tommy Wiseau himself has proven to be quite the cinematic genius, even on cult classic standards. Recently, the real Wiseau has made a major comeback with roles in Samurai Cop 2 and reuniting with the real Sestero on the two-part film saga Best F(r)iends.
The Disaster Artist is a great look at the making of one of the greatest cult classics of the millennium and the mystery of its visionary. James and Dave Franco are at the heart of the film as actors and buddies Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero. This is a dramedy that definitely should be seen by any film fan!
WFG RATING: A
A24 and New Line Cinema present a Point Grey/Ramona Films production in association with Good Universe. Director: James Franco. Producers: James Franco, Vince Jolivette, Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen, and James Weaver. Writers: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber; based on the book by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell. Cinematography: Brandon Trost. Editing: Stecey Schroeder.
Cast: Dave Franco, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Ari Graynor, Alison Brie, Josh Hutcherson, Jacki Weaver, Zac Efron, Paul Scheer, Megan Mulally, Jason Mantzoukas, Andrew Santino, Nathan Fielder.
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