It works despite Dave Franco

Rating: 6/10 (4 January 2020)

The movie is more serious than I thought it would be, considering the trailer. It has a lot of comedy, but it's not a parody of Tommy Wiseau and the production of the infamous "The Room". A lot of parts end up being funny because of the natural Tommy's extravagance manners, but not because the comedy was forced in. As a bio movie, I think it works well, with an amazing James Franco performance.
Having said that, everything that is good is almost destroyed by the terrible Dave Franco casting. Not only he doesn't look the role, but his overenthusiastic overacting simply contradicts the role he needed to play here. He had tons of scenes that required a nuanced and more natural reaction, but almost every scene was ruined by his energy. When he tries to act like a more reserved and shy person, it fails spectacularly.
Even then, the story is well told (although some parts didn't happen like that in real life) and it has heart. I was expecting something bizarre but I was pleasantly surprised with an acceptable flick that James Franco makes good.