Movie Review

Wow.  Wow. Wow.  And, again, WOW.

If the side-by-side comparisons at the end of this movie don’t convince you of James Franco’s deep understanding of the wacky world of writer/director Tommy Wiseau, then I don’t know what will.  The Disaster Artist isn’t mockery.  Hell, the celebrity cameos in this picture – Bryan Cranston, Judd Apatow, J. J. Abrams, Lizzy Caplan, Kristen Bell, Keegan-Michael Key, Adam Scott, Danny McBride, and Kevin Smith – should tell you all you need to know about just how respected Wiseau, who made a film that will live on for all eternity, is.   

James Franco absolutely disappears into the role of writer/director Tommy Wiseau in The Disaster Artist.  Like Tim Burton’s Ed Wood before it, this biopic about one filmmaker’s single passion is absolutely incredible.  From a road trip to the scene of James Dean’s fatal accident to the making of The Room, this film is an inspirational masterpiece that is guided by Franco’s performance of a very driven auteur.  Ironically enough, Wiseau wanted Depp to play his part.   

Who hasn’t seen The Room?  Raise your hand.  That’s what I thought.  Everyone loves that fucking awful flick.  And I do mean LOVE.  The Room is bananas.  We all know this.  Yet buried within its manic nonsense is a passion that cannot be denied or restrained.  Not even the wind machine that blows Wiseau’s luscious locks for his headshots can stop this beast’s passion for film.  And just wait until you see him dance! 

Okay, okay, so the thing with Wiseau is that he, as an actor and a filmmaker, is completely misunderstood.  He looks like a villain.  He sees himself as a hero.  And he’s willing to bankroll everything for a chance to make just ONE feature length film.    

And here, with Franco’s film, we get to see the humanized side to this vampire-looking artist that Hollywood had no idea what to do with.  Thankfully, Franco – as producer, director, and actor – gets every single moment exactly right.  The Disaster Artist is a win for Franco on all fronts. 

From beginning to end, this film is legit in its portrayal of the artist as best friend.  It is honest, being a complete chronicle of the events that led to Wiseau and 19-year old aspiring actor Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) writing and directing of The Room.  Even it’s premiere is presented to us.  Having read the incoherent script to The Room in one sitting, Sestero doesn’t let his friend down when Wiseau informs him that he is going to be one of the major characters in the movie. 

Wiseau wants to make a real Hollywood movie with a real Hollywood premiere in Los Angeles.  He has no idea that what he is making is not good.  But what he does make is immortal.  The Room is right up there with Plan 9 from Outer Space as the BEST worst movie ever made.  And in spite of what Wiseau thinks he is shooting, the movie just doesn’t land the way he thought it would.  And The Disaster Artist is all about how a masterpiece of cult cinema was made, interpreted, and appreciated.

Co-starring Seth Rogen, Alison Brie, and Ari Graynor, the film is an incredible look at just how far blind ambition and a bottomless bank account will get you.  Wiseau gets weird and Franco dives in, never once denying us a glimpse at the artist’s soul.  But what if it’s bad, asks Sestero’s girlfriend.  Can you take it off your IMDB?  Fuck, no!  This is brilliant.  Both The Room and The Disaster Artist are companion pieces and they work in unison to create an inside look at the mad mechanics of a moviemaker.

And now I need a friend’s pinky on which to swear upon.  The Disaster Artist has inspired me. Oh.  Hi, Mark.

Film Details

MPAA Rating: R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity.
Runtime: 103 mins
Director: James Franco
Writer: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
Cast: James Franco, Dave Franco, Ari Graynor
Genre: Comedy |Biography
Tagline: The Disaster Artist.
Memorable Movie Quote: "I did not hit her. It's not true. It's bullshit. I did not hit her. I did not. Oh, hi Mark."
Theatrical Distributor: A24
Official Site: http://disasterartist.movie/
Release Date: December 8, 2017
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: March 13, 2018.
Synopsis: 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.

Blu-ray Review

Blu-ray Details:

Home Video Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Available on Blu-ray - March 12, 2018
Screen Formats: 2.40:1
Subtitles: English SDH; Spanish
Audio: English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set; UV digital copy; Digital copy; DVD copy
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

The Disaster Artist, which should have earned Franco something at the Oscars, is presented in sparkling Blu-ray courtesy of a 1080p transfer from Lionsgate Films.  With an aspect ratio of 2.40:1 and a superb English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 sound track, the film absolutely explodes onto HD with a crispness and a depth of field that is to be expected from like-minded features.  Interiors are loaded with depth and black levels are solid, keeping clean lines and strong shadows in check.  Facial textures are strong and fibers in clothing fabrics are detectable.  This is yet another superb release from Lionsgate.

Supplements:

Commentary:

Thank the Goddess for this!  The laugh out loud feature length commentary with Director/Actor James Franco, Actor Dave Franco, Actor Tommy Wiseau, Actor Greg Sestero, and others is absolutely hilarious!  It is not to be missed.

Special Features:

Liosgate gives us a gag reel, a look at the making of the movie, a scoop on what it’s like directing a Tommy Wiseau film, and a featurette highlighting the many talents of Wiseau.  A theatrical trailer is also included.  A digital copy and a DVD copy of the film is also included.  The release is slipcovered, too.

Gag Reel

Oh, Hi Mark!: Making a Disaster Featurette

Directing a Disaster Featurette

Just a Guy Leaning on a Wall: Getting to Know Tommy Featurette

Theatrical Trailer