FilmSnobReviews

Title: The Disaster Artist
MPAA Rating: R
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Ary Graynor
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins

What It Is: One day while in an acting class Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) meets Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) the two become friends. When they begin to think that Hollywood, where they’ve now moved, doesn’t want them they decide to make their own movie. This film, which would be called The Room was written by the enigmatic Wiseau. What would end up being crafted is what many consider the worst film ever made. Or is it the best?

What We Think: This film is handled masterfully. Franco, who’s directed other films, with mixed results before. Stuff like As I Lay Dying and In Dubious Battle just didn’t have the right scope and perhaps needed a more attuned eye behind them. Nonetheless, Franco nails it and you can really sense his passion for the project in every single frame of the film. Performances from top to bottom are excellent and Franco guides his brother to a best-ever performance as Greg. All of the supporting cast understand their roles and play them so well you’d think they knew it was all so tongue and cheek. How does Franco handle this craziness? With the spirit of a much more experienced director. To the point that perhaps Oscar will be requesting his presence as a nominee.

Our Grade: A-, Certainly one of the years best! It is a loving ode to a terrible film. I would love to see more films like Troll 2 get this treatment. Think about before this film there was Ed Wood another film about films covering the gambit of the movies made by “the worst director ever”. It’s primary focus being his magnum opus Plan 9 From Outer Space. I demand we do another of these. Maybe let Franco try his hand at more tameable pieces from now on. This guy obviously has the talent. Shout out to Ari Graynor who’s amazing all the time! This is one I can highly recommend.