There are bad films and then there are films which are so bad that they almost deserve their own category. Plan 9 from Outer Space by director Ed Wood is there one. But The Room by Tommy Wiseau also belongs to the same group. Just like Tim Burton made a film that captured the essence of Ed Wood, James Franco does the same for Wiseau. More specifically about how his film The Room came about.
When Greg (Dave Franco) witnesses how Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) pours his soul into his performance during acting lessons, he sees him as an inspiration. He talks to him and a friendship slowly forms. Greg is part of “Planet Tommy” and he soon finds out that Tommy is far from your everyday person. He does not like to talk about himself a lot and seems to be very wealthy, even though he does not tell how he has become so rich. They decide to go to Los Angeles together to land roles, but when they are both rejected, Greg proposes to make a movie themselves. Tommy sees it as a brilliant idea and starts writing a script. He also decides to make the film himself, something that does not turn out to be easy with a person like Wiseau.
I have never seen The Room and I did not get the feeling that it was compulsory viewing in order to appreciate this movie. Of course I want to see the film after watching this title, it made me curious. What The Disaster Artist does is to show in a fascinating way which factors all played a role in creating The Room. And although various situations are funny, Franco manages to show that Wiseau might be different, but still has a drive and vision to realize something and that he is willing to do a lot for the people he cares about. It makes it an interesting portrait and at the same time, also an entertaining film.
[score8]
While I wasn’t a huge fan of the movie there was something about it that kept me glued to it. It’s a weird one but you’re right, an interesting portrait.
Yeah, it’s not a movie I’ll be rewatching but happy to have seen it.