The Disaster Artist: A Close-Up Portrait of Tommy Wiseau

Our blog editor, Sam Phillips, is a friend of Tommy Wiseau and sometimes works with him on projects.  He turned me on to Tommy's now-legendary movie classic, "The Room," which premiered on June 23, 2003.  (To see my June 24, 2015 review of "The Room," click HERE!)  Although it is preferable to see "The Room" prior to seeing the "Disaster Artist," one can enjoy this film without having done so.  "The Room" is considered by many to be the worst film ever made, although I think "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" (1978) can give it a run for its money! Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) is a man of mystery.  He claims to be in his 20's, but looks at least 35; he claims to be from New Orleans, but has a thick foreign accent; he wants to be a famous actor, but has, at best, marginal talent.  Tommy is taking acting classes, but trying the patience of his acting coach.  He befriends a handsome young man in the acting class, Greg Sestero (Dave Franco).  Fortunately, Tommy is also a man of means, and he convinces Greg to move out to L.A. with him, where they will both surely make it big. After arriving in L.A., Greg gets an agent and has a few auditions, but things aren't going well.  Tommy isn't even able to get an agent.  Tommy gets the inspiration to bypass the Hollywood machinery and write, produce, direct, and star in his own film!  The "Disaster Artist" essentially tells the story of how Tommy wound up making "The Room," as well as the filming of "The Room" itself, which comprises the second half of the film.  Sandy (Seth Rogan) serves as Tommy's script supervisor, but Tommy blows off just about every one of his suggestions. James Franco does a wonderful job as Tommy, and the film is often funny.  Beneath all the levity, however, is the actual Tommy himself.  Whatever Tommy's idiosyncrasies, he had the courage, determination, and persistence to pursue and actualize his dream, despite having no experience acting or making movies.  The story is also about the power of friendship, especially to help us through challenging times.  Fortunately, the story has a happy ending.  When the film premiered, it was a dismal critical and financial failure, but after it became a cult classic, Tommy and Greg became famous and the film eventually became profitable. Sam told me that Tommy liked the film, although Tommy wants all of you to know that he plays football much better than what is shown in "The Disaster Artist."  The film will work fine as a rental, but it's worth seeing now on the BS if Tommy's remarkable story interests you.