[yasr_overall_rating]
When Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor, meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their dreams come true.
Tommy Wiseau does it again! The creator of 2004’s “The Room” is at it again with a high level of artistic expression and creative control as he seeks to make Hollywood eat its words for its refusal to hire him and his buddy Greg Sestero, as actors. Based off the book ‘The Disaster Artist’ by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell, James Franco, the actor-turned-director of “The Disaster Artist,” was inspired early on by the cult classic that everyone remembers as being easy to forget, however, it is obvious throughout the auditorium that Tommy has many faithful fans who are rooting for him through every take of his production.
The film starts out slow and awkward as Greg is underprepared and Tommy is overzealous in the acting out of roles and the critique given by the acting class. When Greg solicits help from Tommy afterward, he gains a lifetime of friendship and a little more than he bargained for as the totally unpredictable Tommy delves deeper into the relationship and offers Greg financial sponsorship for his dreams of being an actor. While Tommy is vague about his age, his finances, and his cultural background, he is very clear about his desire to become a film producer and run every aspect of the business. The bulk of Tommy’s insecurities come into play when he offers to move Greg into his California apartment so they can be closer to their dreams. While Tommy and Greg get closer to their dreams of being film producers, Tommy’s relationship with Greg and the entire film crew goes sour due to Tommy’s inability to understand the team concept and his need to control every aspect.
James Franco is brilliant as a director who uses situational bigotry in this film to cover the very foundation of human nature. Tommy’s need to be accepted by the world and Greg’s need to find his niche in life clash, in spite of the fact that they desperately need each other to be successful. While both films, “The Room” and “The Disaster Artist” compliment one another, the perspectives in which they were made are distinct in being separate entities that cause a love-hate relationship between those who want to cheer for Tommy and those who think he is woefully disgusting. Either way, this controversial, yet enlightening piece of entertainment languishes in everything you love to hate about the film industry and those who creatively find a way to tackle it one resource at a time! Kudos also to the marketing reps for the wonderful “The Disaster Artist” tuxedo shirts and Tommy’s planet swag!
In select theaters Friday, December 8th
