“The Disaster Artist” is a strange beast. It is a comedy about making a terrible movie, and it knows exactly what it is doing. Directed by James Franco, the film tells the story of Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero, the odd couple behind the cult classic “The Room.” It is a true story, but it plays like a farce, and that is the point.
The film follows Sestero, played by Dave Franco, as he meets Wiseau, played by James Franco, in an acting class in San Francisco. Tommy is a mystery man with a thick accent, a mysterious past, and a fortune no one understands. He is fearless, eccentric, and completely committed to his own vision. Greg is the straight man, a young actor trying to break into Hollywood. Their friendship is the engine of the movie, and it drives everything forward.
Trailer, via A24.
The Friendship at the Center
The relationship between Tommy and Greg is the heart of “The Disaster Artist.” Tommy is the kind of person who walks into a room and immediately becomes the center of attention. He is loud, theatrical, and utterly convinced of his own genius. Greg is the opposite, a quiet observer who watches Tommy’s antics with a mix of admiration and horror. Together, they are a perfect pair of opposites.
Their move to Los Angeles is a turning point. Tommy suggests they should make a movie together, and Greg goes along with it. The idea is simple: they will star in a drama about a love triangle. Tommy writes the screenplay, and he insists on shooting on 35 mm film and HD Digital at the same time, which is a costly and unnecessary decision. He hires a cinematographer named Raphael and a director and script supervisor named Sandy. He casts Juliette Danielle as Lisa, the love interest. And he insists on buying all the equipment, not renting it.
The production is a disaster from the start. Tommy forgets his lines, arrives late, and refuses to provide his crew with basic necessities like drinking water and air conditioning. He is controlling, demanding, and completely out of his depth. But he is also relentless. He believes in the project, and he will not let anyone stand in his way.
The Supporting Cast
The supporting cast is a parade of familiar faces. Alison Brie plays Amber, Greg’s girlfriend. Ari Graynor plays Juliette Danielle, the actress who lands the role of Lisa. Jacki Weaver plays Carolyn Minnott, the mother of the bride in the wedding scene. Josh Hutcherson plays Philip Haldiman, the actor who gets cast as Denny. Zac Efron plays Dan Janjigian, the actor who gets cast as Chris-R. Seth Rogen plays Sandy Schklair, the director and script supervisor.
These actors bring energy to their roles, but they are mostly there to support the central dynamic between Tommy and Greg. They are the witnesses to the madness, and their reactions are often the funniest parts of the film. The film also features a prologue with Kristen Bell, Ike Barinholtz, Adam Scott, Kevin Smith, Keegan-Michael Key, Lizzy Caplan, Danny McBride, and J. J. Abrams, who appear as themselves discussing “The Room” and its reputation. This framing device sets up the film as a documentary of sorts, and it gives the story a sense of weight.
The Making of “The Room”
The bulk of the film is dedicated to the making of “The Room.” It is a slow burn, and it requires patience. The audience watches as Tommy and Greg struggle to find a location, cast actors, and get the film made. There are setbacks, delays, and arguments. Tommy’s insistence on perfection is a running joke, but it is also a source of tension. He wants everything to be exactly right, and he is willing to push everyone to the brink to get it.
The film does not hold back on the absurdity of the process. Tommy’s refusal to discuss his personal life or the source of his wealth is a constant thread. He claims to be from New Orleans, but his accent is unmistakably European. He can afford apartments in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, but he will not explain how. These contradictions are part of the charm. They make Tommy a larger-than-life figure, and they make the film a portrait of a man who is completely unique.
The Chemistry Between the Frantos
The success of “The Disaster Artist” rests on the chemistry between the two Frantos. James Franco is a physical performer, and he commits fully to the role of Tommy. He captures the man’s energy, his charisma, and his obliviousness. Dave Franco is the anchor, playing Greg with a mix of exasperation and loyalty. The two brothers have worked together before, but this is their first major collaboration, and it is a revelation. They have a natural rapport, and they play off each other with ease.
The film is at its best when it is focused on their relationship. The scenes of Tommy and Greg rehearsing lines, arguing about direction, and trying to figure out what they are doing are some of the funniest moments in the film. They are also the most human moments. Beneath the absurdity, there is a genuine bond between these two men. They are friends, and they are trying to make something together. That sincerity is what makes the film work.
The Reception
“The Disaster Artist” premiered at South by Southwest in March 2017. It was later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, where it won the Golden Shell, the top prize. It became the first American film to win that award since “A Thousand Years of Good Prayers” in 2007. The film was distributed by A24 in North America and Warner Bros. Pictures internationally. It opened in limited release on December 1, 2017, and expanded to wide release on December 8, 2017.
The film received positive reviews from critics. They praised the chemistry between the Frantos and their portrayals of Wiseau and Sestero. They also noted the film’s humor and screenplay. The film is a tribute to a strange friendship, and it celebrates the failure of “The Room” as a kind of triumph. It is a comedy, but it is also a love letter to the people who make movies, even the ones that do not work.
The Legacy of “The Room”
“The Disaster Artist” is not just a story about a bad movie. It is a story about ambition, friendship, and the strange things that happen when people try to make art. Tommy Wiseau is a man who believed in himself, and he was willing to go to great lengths to prove it. He spent years making “The Room,” and he did it on his own terms. That commitment is admirable, even if the result is a mess.
The film captures that spirit. It does not mock Tommy. It does not ridicule him. It shows him as a flawed, passionate, and ultimately tragic figure. The tragedy is that he never understood why his movie was so bad. He thought it was beautiful. The film respects that misunderstanding, and it makes the story feel real.
The film also captures the moment when “The Room” became a phenomenon. It was not a hit when it was released, but it found an audience. People started watching it, and they started laughing. It became a cult classic, and it became a symbol of everything that can go wrong in filmmaking. The film documents that journey, and it shows how a movie that was meant to be serious became a joke.
The Verdict
“The Disaster Artist” is a good movie about a bad movie. It is funny, moving, and occasionally frustrating. It is a tribute to a friendship, and it is a cautionary tale about the perils of creativity. It is also a reminder that failure is not always a bad thing. Sometimes, a failure can become something else. Sometimes, a disaster can become a legend.
The film is not perfect. It drags in places, and it spends too much time on the minutiae of production. It is also a bit uneven, with some scenes landing and others falling flat. But the overall effect is strong. The film captures the essence of Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero, and it makes their story feel alive.
It is a film about the power of belief, and it is a film about the absurdity of fame. It is a film about the things we do for love, and the things we do for art. It is a film about the strange world of Hollywood, and the people who live in it. It is a film about the room where dreams are born, and the room where they die.
Key Facts
- Title: The Disaster Artist (2017)
- Director: James Franco
- Screenplay: Michael H. Weber, Scott Neustadter
- Runtime: 104 minutes
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Premiere: South by Southwest, March 12, 2017
- Release: Limited December 1, 2017; wide December 8, 2017
- Score: 7.6/10
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