If you haven’t seen The Room, the 2009 cult hit written, directed, produced by and starring Tommy Wiseau, you’re missing out. It’s not exactly a good movie, per se, but that’s what has made it so famous—it’s just so bad. So bad that James Franco decided to make a movie about the making of The Room.
The Disaster Artist follows Tommy Wiseau, an aspiring actor who wants nothing more than to be accepted in Hollywood. When no one will take him seriously, he decides to make his own movie. Despite the clunky dialogue, terrible green screen special effects, brutal acting and ridiculous plot, The Room managed to become a sleeper hit literally because it was so bad it was good.
Franco of course plays Wiseau with Dave Franco co-starring as Greg Sestero, Wiseau’s best friend and The Room co-star. There’s no shortage of big names making appearances either including Seth Rogen, Alison Brie, Judd Apatow, Josh Hutcherson, Jacki Weaver and Melanie Griffith. The Room may be considered the best bad movie ever made but the story behind it is actually kind of endearing.
Although The Disaster Artist isn’t officially released until December 1st, it has already screened at SXSW and most recently the Toronto International Film Festival. It received standing ovations at both venues and has gotten rave reviews from critics.
The role of Wiseau seems perfect for Franco, who actually stayed in character while directing as well. After the SXSW screening, Seth Rogen told audiences, “There were scenes where [he was] playing Tommy directing a movie as Tommy directing a movie as Tommy. That was when we were like, This is fucking weird, man.”
Franco himself said, “I am Tommy Wiseau. So much. In ways I don’t want to admit.” Maybe it’s the eccentricity and the ambitious to accomplish all his goals no matter how impossible they may seem.
Watch the full trailer for The Disaster Artist below—and make sure to watch (or rewatch) The Room before December 1st.
