James Franco made a movie about possibly the worst movie ever made, and somehow it might be his best movie to date. I don’t know how he did it but I do know that “The Disaster Artist” is a fantastic film about friendship that will make you care and laugh at the same time.
“The Disaster Artist” is a film based on the making of the critically tarred and feathered film “The Room” written, directed and starring Tommy Wiseau, whom Franco (“127 Hours,” “Pineapple Express”) plays immaculately well. After its release in 2003, “The Room” became a cult classic for just how bad it was and the enigma that is Wiseau, a person that apparently has no past, no family and millions if not billions of dollars to burn through.
This film lives and breathes on the relationship between Franco and his younger brother Dave, who plays Wiseau’s best friend and co-writer of “The Room,” Greg Sestero. The two are extremely believable in the roles of an unintentionally hysterical mystery man and a young actor with dreams of becoming famous. The duo of opposites hit it off one day after taking acting lessons in San Francisco, bond over filmmaking and decide to move to Los Angeles to follow their dreams of becoming stars. After continuously being told that they’d never make it in the business, the two decide to make their own film.
And so the legend of “The Room” is born.
“The Disaster Artist” could have devolved into two hours of poking fun at Wiseau and his film but Franco and Co. do a incredible job of always toeing the line between jokes and drama. Franco conveys Wiseau’s patented craziness but he also offsets it with his undeniable passion and devotion to his friendship with Sestero, while also adding in a bit of vulnerability to make you fall in love with the character despite his (several) flaws.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of laughs to be had. Most come from Franco but several others come from the solid supporting cast, including Seth Rogen, Ari Graynor, Paul Scheer, Zac Efron, Josh Hutcherson and Jason Mantzoukas. They all portray a member of the cast or crew that was a part of the making of “The Room” and they all serve as the audience’s eyes and mouth.
This film was done with so much care to the original material. I can imagine that this idea had been floating around the Hollywood atmosphere for a few years and I’m glad that Franco and Rogen’s team were able to get their hands on it. This film is funny — there’s no doubt about that — but anybody could’ve done that. This team made me care about Wiseau and Sestero’s journey. I never thought that would be possible.
8/10
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BOX OFFICE REVIEW
1. “Coco”: $18,452,315 (week 3); Buena Vista/Disney. Total gross: $135,658,005.
2. “Justice League”: $9,664,297 (week 4); Warner Bros. Total gross: $212,129,668.
3. “Wonder”: $8,447,762 (week 4); Lionsgate Films. Total gross: $100,300,868.
4. “The Disaster Artist”: $6,366,242 (week 2); A24. Total gross: $7,963,017.
5. “Thor: Ragnarok”: $6,271,374 (week 6); Buena Vista/Disney. $301,136,438.
COMING SOON
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” — Having taken her first steps into the Jedi world, Rey joins Luke Skywalker on an adventure with Leia, Finn and Poe that unlocks mysteries of the Force and secrets of the past.
Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher
“Ferdinand” — After Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Cast: John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Bobby Cannavale, Jack Gore
“Permanent” — Permanent is a comedy about bad hair, adolescence, and socially awkward family members. It involves life-altering permanents and poorly-made toupees. Obstacles to daily survival ensue.
Director: Colette Burson
Cast: Patricia Arquette, Rainn Wilson, Kira McLean, Devin Albert
