Rent The Disaster Artist (2017)

An interesting if not particularly well-made look at the behind the scenes turmoil making The Room - The Disaster Artist review by TB

In 2003, The Room was released. Branded one of the worst films ever made, this went from being a slur to a badge of honour, provoking fascination & laughter from the many fans who came to see it as an extra-ordinary piece of entertainment. As is the case with most cult films, a huge amount of interest was generated with how the film was created, which only intensified after multiple behind-the-scenes reports of the chaos as well as the behaviour of Tommy Wiseau, the writer/director/lead actor/producer.

A best-selling book about the production, called The Disaster Artist, was written by Greg Sestero who played Mark & also was Wiseau's friend & producing partner, without whom the film could not have been made. The book itself became a cult best-seller, which led to this film being made by James Franco, himself an avid fan of The Room.

The best part of this film is without doubt the portrayal of Wiseau as in many ways a deeply lost & troubled man, who desperately wants to be an actor and totally buys into the American Dream of being able to do anything he wants, in his case become a famous actor & successful filmmaker. As much as there is also ridicule flung at Wiseau from all directions, the film is very empathetic in its portrayal of him.

It is clear that James Franco, who also writes & directs, has fully committed to his performance, his voice in particular indistinguishable from the real Wiseau. Dave Franco is also good as Sestero, showing him as a deeply ambitious actor but also a man with a good heart, who sticks by his friend even though he is many times used & exploited by Wiseau.

However, when it comes to the rest of the film, it is actually fairly disjointed & unfocussed. I do fully appreciate that the vast majority of people watching will be doing so because they are fans of The Room or heard about the backstage chaos, so in effect they already have skin in the game. But for me this was never more than a 3 star film, simply because it adds nothing particularly new to what is already known. There are some funny moments, particularly with infamous scenes which would have taken a professional actor 1 or 2 takes to shoot & which Wiseau was still struggling to get through after 30.

Worth a watch, but nothing to get too excited about.

I did not hit her. I did not. Oh hi Mark! - The Disaster Artist review by F15HF1NG3RZ

I absolutely loved this film from beginning to end. I had never even heard of The Room when I added this to my Watch List, so I looked into it all when the disk arrived and saw it was actually based on a true story it just made it a million times more hilarious! The Blu Ray has loads of extras on, I sat and watched the whole thing. Loved it. James Franco was spectacular and unrecognisable as Tommy! Watch the whole end credits for the scene of a lifetime at the very end.

I see what they were going for...but not good. - The Disaster Artist review by EP

This film is a story telling of the making of another film called The Room which became famous because it was so bad. This film is similar in my view, i.e. bad. I see what they were going for - a tongue in cheek perspective black comedy on what has become a cult film but I didn't finish watching this and unless you're a fan of The Room I would say watch something else, like I ultimately did.

Different - The Disaster Artist review by SB

Well the main character or the actor who plays him is convincing and funny also a character who would not be out of place in any situation. I think this portrayal really makes this movie as it would otherwise be poor and boring.

Amusing, surprisingly character focused story of the entertaining, worst film ever made - The Disaster Artist review by Tommy

The irony of Tommy Wiseau and "The Room". He wanted and thought/thinks he is a great thespian. He made a film with a decent amount of money (somehow), which he should have spent or invested in something else, but you have to admire his determination and desire. But it was so bad it made him famous and, eventually, it made money as it became so popular. If you haven't heard of this then look it up and watch clips of the real film on Youtube.

I was hoping for a piss take to be honest but credit to James Franco, really, he focused on the character, his motivation and his love of performing and his determination to succeed. He didn't really but he got something most people won't get despite his massive lack of talent and plain, straight up weirdness. Despite being laughed at by his own crew he carried on. Delusional, sure, but he made a film and became famous. What a nutter but good on him.

There are the expected farce, silly moments. My favourite being during Tommy's (also my name. We took at hit with Wiseau but we have Hardy, Hanks, Holland etc) first scene. He can't remember his lines despite writing the bloody script. They read it out for him ... many times. Then the whole crew, after many, many takes, keep telling him the line. They just want it done and are so happy when it is. Wiseau is delighted, thinking he is James Dean.

This is what Franco focuses on. Wiseau is delusional, talentless, strange but determined, brave and passionate. Just misplaced. He wants to be famous but doesn't recognise he shouldn't be doing it - or should he? It was his own money. He also shows a lack of knowledge of actors, films, and anything to do with making a film like not know what a DOP is. Something a director should know. Was he just naive?

Even though it probably made the film better, focusing on Wiseau and Greg (Dave Franco), the other main actor, i didn't laugh as much as i thought or hoped. I did want more silliness expected from a Franco, Rogen comedy. It's still funny and amusing but i heard better things. This doesn't bring anything new to biopics or this sort of comedy. It could of been funnier, had more drama, been weirder too. Still worth the watch. You shouldn't be let down. At the very least you should watch it for the end credits showing the real scenes from "The Room". Hilarious, but you can get online to be fair.