The Disaster Artist is counter-programming to the happy holiday fare we have come to expect in December. It is an artsy movie for those people who are prepared to be introduced to a strange guy who made a bad movie.
The Disaster Artist (James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan) – If you have never seen The Room (not to be confused with Room or In The Bedroom), you aren’t alone. The Room is one of the worst films ever made. We’re talking way worse the Ishtar or Waterworld. Off the charts BAD. As a result, it has become a cult favorite in those big city midnight shows where people dress in costumes and recite dialogue. Yes, I know this sounds like The Rocky Horror Picture Show but don’t confuse the two. IRHPS is a real movie that was made to be camp and hip. The Room was a serious attempt at art written, directed, and starring Tommy Wiseau and featuring his friend Greg Sestero. It failed!
The Disaster Artist is an attempt to tell the story about Tommy, Greg and the making of The Room. Anyone who has followed the career of James Franco knows that he is a prolific and talented actor, producer, and director. He has done grunge comedy and serious parts, having been nominated for Best Actor for 127 Hours. He doesn’t seem to care much about the commercial success of his projects. He likes to push the envelope and to induce discussion, debate, and controversy.
The Disaster Artist accomplishes this. It is a really odd film about a really odd film. Nobody knows much about Tommy; how he got his money; where he actually came from; and how he ended up making a movie almost no one ever saw. After seeing James Franco’s salute to The Room, you will have no further insight. James’ performance, already nominated to a Golden Globe, is over-the-top and unrepentant. His brother, Dave, plays Greg, the wide-eyed theater student who has little talent but lots of ambition. At least Dave’s performance as Greg seems natural and real. But it is James who will get the attention and rightfully so.
Tommy was clearly a wacko. He could be petty, jealous, volatile, and warm. But, unlike so many stories about misunderstood geniuses, Tommy proves to be none of these. He’s a guy with money, a story (no one understands) to tell, and a commitment to become famous. He is one weird dude who made one really bad movie.
The question is whether telling the story of that film is enough to intrigue an audience to the theater. I doubt it. But the Franco Brothers hope you will come and sample this quirky dramedy.
I enjoyed the small supporting performances of Seth Rogan, Jacki Weaver and Ari Graynor and got a kick out of the cameos from Zach Efron, Megan Mullally, Sharon Stone, Melanie Griffith, Bob Odenkirk, Keegan-Michael Key, Kristen Bell, and J.J. Abrams.
But those appearances don’t make this a good movie. It just means that James Franco can attract his friends to a day or two of work in an artsy movie about a movie.