The Disaster Artist
2017
***½
Director: James Franco
Cast: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Alison Brie, Ari Graynor, Josh Hutcherson, Jacki Weaver
In the late 1990s, Greg Sestero befriends the mysterious, eccentric, and oddly wealthy Tommy Wiseau. The two move to L.A., but when their acting careers deservedly fail to take off, Tommy decides to fix this by writing, directing, and producing his own movie. James Franco's enjoyable comedy depicts the making of The Room (2003), a critical and commercial bomb which has since become a cult classic. Although the film doesn't quite hit the same heights as Tim Burton's brilliant Ed Wood, which offered a perfect blend of humour and pathos, this is another lovingly detailed portrayal of a talentless filmmaker who has a high opinion of himself. James Franco gives an irritating but wonderfully nuanced lead performance. Adapted from the book The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell.
