'The Disaster Artist' A Review

The Disaster Artist is a comedy based on the making of 'best worst movie' The Room. The film follows Greg(Dave Franco) an aspiring actor in San Francisco as he meets and befriends an odd and intense mysterious older(?) man Tommy Wiseau(James Franco, also director). The two move to Los Angeles and live off of Tommy's seemingly boundless(and nebulous) wealth as they attempt(and fail) to become working actors. After a disheartening two years Greg inspires Tommy to conceive and make his own movie.

Franco(James) gives his best performance since 2012's Spring Breakers, imbuing the character with a soulfulness, vulnerability, and dimension the real life Wiseau seemingly doesn't posses. Franco is totally immersed and plays it from the heart as well as being able to achieve a substantial amount of humor. Franco(Dave) is serviceable as the more milquetoast Greg. He brings his normal psuedo-adolesecent charm but doesn't do much beyond what he does in every film, play some version of himself(however likable). The rest of the cast is stacked with cameos and supporting turns by famous folks who all show up, are funny, and have fun. But the only real acting is done by Franco(James) and its impressive.

Visually the film is functional, almost utilitarian, which is fine because the film revolves around the comedy and Franco(James)'s performance. However one would hope for a bit more artistry and/or attention to framing given this isn't Franco's 13th directing venture(although you could argue this is the first legitimate project, certainly the only one so far with a substantial release). The score practical with some fun period songs but mostly all the production elements only serve to bolster the characters and the comedy.

Certainly more enjoyable than the unintentionally deplorable, boring, incoherent movie on which it's based, the film celebrates and realizes the Hollywood dream despite a mountain of eccentricities and no talent to speak of.

See It.