Oh Hai, Film Marks! Is 'the Disaster Artist' worth seeing? Yes- it is!

Rating: 8/10 (13 December 2017)

In 2003, an independent drama, call 'the Room', centering on a melodramatic love triangle between an amiable banker, Johnny (Tommy Wiseau) his deceptive fiancée, Lisa (Juliette Danielle) and his conflicted best friend, Mark (Greg Sestero) came out in a few theaters to box office failure. The movie was trashed by critics, with some going as far as to call it the worst movie ever made, due to its lousy writing, camera-work and story. However, the film directed, produce, and starring, Tommy Wiseau has gradually gained a cult following, and much like other 'so bad, it's good' movies like 1990's 'Troll 2' & 1991's 'Samurai Cop', it has inspired documentaries, sequels and books about the behind the making of the film. One such tale was, from the director's co-star & real-life friend, actor, Greg Sestero and author, Tom Bissell, call, 'the Disaster Artist' (2013). The book received so much critical acclaim that it was pick up by actor, Seth Rogen's production company, 'Point Grey Pictures' & distributed by Warner Bros with actor, James Franco, directing and acting in the piece. Without spoiling the movie, too much, like 'the Room', this film was also a passion project. Much care went with being as accuracy to the source material as possible, by Franco & his crew. However, there were some inaccuracies, such as how the idea of 'the Room', even got started. In Franco's film, Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) gets the idea for 'the Room' by an offhand remark by Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) about creating their own work, rather than, waiting for Hollywood to come to them. In reality, the basic premise of 'The Room' draws on specific incidents from Wiseau's own life, including past friendship & relationships; including a moment, when an outsider friend of Greg show him, 1999 Psychological thriller film, 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' in a botch attempt to make Wiseau look bad, by making him look like a con-artist to Sestero. In truth, the idea came from not excessively sentimental, sappy, friendship overcoming all, ingenuity, Hollywood bound day-dreaming, but on accident, with a man trying to expose the dangers of codependency & unhealthy obsessive. The film, originally written as a stage-play as director puts it, serve as "an advisory warning about the perils of having friends". Because of that, I felt that the tone of Franco's film is little off. Don't get me wrong, while it's somewhat true, that Tommy had a somewhat extreme infatuated for Greg's lifestyle & did go into pretty dark places, by trying to one up him. Nevertheless, the relationship between them, was awkward from Wiseau's end as well, with Sestero being highly depended on Wiseau's income. Still, the movie was a little too fluff, when exploring their off & on friendship, with each other. As for Tommy's relationship with other people, while filming; it was much worse than what we got on film. While, in Franco's movie, most of the performers & the film crew of 'The Room' was willing to stick it out, for the sake of the project. In truth, many of the original actors and crew storm off the set, due to the harsh filming environment; such was the case for the original actor for Mark, who was replace, late in production by Sestero. By the end of shooting, the remaining cast and crew, convinced that the film will never be seen. So, many of them, never really went to the premiere, nor wanted to go, due to their uneasy relationship with the director. In short, there was little to no support for Wiseau, nor was the movie ever receive, a standing ovation on its first day of release, by audience members. The cult value, didn't really come, until weeks later, during the midnight circuit. It's there, where many of the traditions were born, such as the throwing of spoons/footballs & yelling insulting comments about the quality of 'The Room', as well as speaking out loud lines, from the film itself. It's here, where the film starts to become more enjoyable to the masses not the premiere. Because of that, I found the simplify version of 'The Room' theatrical run in Franco's film, really jarring, and not that realistic. Nor did I like the opening on the movie, with celebs cameos, exploring why 'the Room' is secretly great. That interview sequences in the beginning kinda ruins the ending by spoiling too much on, why certain people enjoy the film. As the humor in Franco's movie, it's really a hit and misses. It really depends on how familiar, you as the audience member is, on, knowing the backstories of 'the Room'. This movie might be, confusing to watch, for some, not expose to such knowledge. Despite that; me, personally, I enjoy the film, even if it didn't share all the information about Tommy Wiseau. I love that it left a little mystery about him. As for the acting, Franco absolutely nail the role, capturing Tommy's eccentric style & accent, regardless, if he seem bit too caricature. However, Dave Franco was a little more disappointing. He sounds and looks, nothing like Greg, nor interesting as the leading man. Regardless of that, the sheer detail that went into the recreations, sequences of the 'The Room', during the credits, are worth the price of admission alone, even if it's a semi off. Nevertheless, stick around after the credits for a special cameo. It's worth it. Highly recommended. Overall: 2017's 'The Disaster Artist' is the 1994's film 'Ed Wood' & 1998's film 'Shakespeare in Love' of this generation. While, 2003's 'The Room' has generally been regarded as one of the worst, entertaining Hollywood film of all time. Let's hope, 'the Disaster Artist' leave an impact, as one of the best. I guess, we will have to see. It's a must watch.