Movie Parliament
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • This House
  • Articles
  • Foreign Affairs
    • Cannes 2017
    • Cannes2016
    • 2016 Oscars Predictions
    • 2015 César Awards
    • 2014 César Awards
    • 2014 French Bloggers Awards
    • Top10 2014
    • 2013 César Awards
    • 2013 Cannes Coverage
    • European Film Awards 2012
    • (50) Films of Summer
    • 2012 Cannes Coverage
    • 2011 César Awards
    • 2011 Cannes Coverage
  • Film History
    • Classic Films
    • Cult Movies
    • Foreign Masterpieces
  • Awards
    • Awards Decade 2011-2020
    • Awards2020
    • Awards2019
    • Awards2018
    • Awards2017
    • Awards2016
    • Awards2015
    • Awards 2014
    • Awards 2013
    • Awards 2012
    • Awards 2011 >
      • FYC - Best 2011 Film
  • Top 50 of the Decade
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • 2004
    • 2003
    • 2002
    • 2001
    • 2000
  • Summer Movie Wager
  • 2018 Most Anticipated

The Disaster Artist - Preview screening with James and Dave Franco

11/26/2017

0 Comments

 
Writers: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber 
Director: James Franco 
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Seth Rogen, Josh Hutcherson, Zac Efron and Jacki Weaver 

Review: Michael Dalton, Prime Minister 
​Is there such a thing as an objectively good or bad film? It’s a question that critics in particular have to regularly reckon with. Sure films can receive unanimously positive reviews and win awards, but will we still be watching them decades from now? Can a film that is clearly bad in every way, shape and form, actually be good if it brings joy to so many people?
 
Released in 2003, The Room was an instant failure, only kept in cinemas by its writer, director and star so that it could qualify for Oscar consideration. However, over the years it has garnered a cult following, as people enjoyed its haphazard plot (“I got the test results back and I definitely have breast cancer”), melodramatic dialogue (“YOU’RE TEARING ME APART LISA”), and in particular, the eccentric performance of its mysterious creator, Tommy Wiseau (‘oh hai Mark”). Now a midnight-screening favourite, The Room enjoys Rocky Horror Picture Show levels of fandom.
 
The Disaster Artist is based on co-star Greg Sestero's book of the same name, telling the bizarre yet strangely beautiful behind the scenes story of how The Room got made. Much like the book, this is a film that's stranger than fiction, with Tommy Wiseau being a character you simply wouldn't believe if he were made for the silver screen. And yet, this film argues that despite the absurd incompetence of The Room, he was made for the silver screen, just not in the way that he thought. In an introduction before a preview screening at Picturehouse Central, James Franco said how in many ways it was the ultimate Hollywood story, with Wiseau’s reaction to the film almost being one of disappointment that it had taken this long to happen. “If anything we were too late,” he said, “it’s as if it was his plan all along.” 
​Looking at Franco’s career, it’s easy to see why he’s so fascinated by Tommy Wiseau. While best known to mainstream audiences for his roles in Spider-Man and Pineapple Express, as well as for his car-crash hosting of the Oscars, James Franco has been something of an enigma over the years, delivering performances that Wiseau would be proud of in films such as Spring Breakers. He’s also been a prolific director, with his films rarely receiving much critical or commercial love. In the Roast of James Franco for Comedy Central, Jonah Hill joked how Franco's output flew in the face of the 'one for them, one for me' Hollywood attitude of doing a film for the studios and then something more personal. Jonah said that Franco’s outlook could better be described as 'one for them, ten for nobody'.
 
Therefore, not only is Tommy Wiseau a role that an actor like Franco would love to play, but he’s also someone Franco may relate to. Indeed, Franco brings a real understanding and humanity to his portrayal of Wiseau, which goes far beyond mere imitation. Before the film, Franco joked how some people weren't sure if Wiseau was human, but in his hands he undoubtedly is. However, this in no way comes at the expense of inhabiting Wiseau's quirky personality and indecipherable accent, both of which Franco does perfectly. It’s a performance that is both hilarious and heartbreaking, and perhaps the finest of Franco’s career.
 
It is also, without a doubt, his greatest achievement as a director to date. He introduces Tommy Wiseau with great anticipation, the way a superhero film would build up to the reveal of its titular character. Meanwhile, he indulges in late nineties period detail and lovingly recreates many scenes from The Room. In fact, Franco spoke to having recreated half an hour of the film shot for shot, and over the credits the film wonderfully subverts the biopic trope of putting pictures of the actors next to their real-life counterparts. However, perhaps his greatest feat, is avoiding the pitfalls Tommy Wiseau fell into when making his disasterpiece. The irony that Franco is directing and starring in a production about the monstrosity of a film that was directed by and starred the same person is not lost on anyone. Rather than falling down that rabbit hole and dominating the film, this really is an ensemble piece.
 
His brother Dave plays Greg Sestero, and their built-in brotherly bond really helps to sell the friendship between Tommy and Greg. They balance one another perfectly, with Dave bringing a lovely supportiveness and earnestness to his role. Meanwhile, actors such as Ari Graynor, Jacki Weather and Josh Hutcherson all bring real grace and believability to their brief roles as other members of The Room’s cast. Between them, they share the good-natured enthusiasm that makes this film such a charming watch, and The Room such an endearing failure. It has garnered this status not because it was intentionally made that way, like the current trend of cynically-constructed so bad its good films (Sharknado), but rather because the people involved genuinely thought they were making something worthwhile, driven by a genuine passion for what they did and a desire to succeed.
 
The film does stray into self-indulgence at times, however it’s not out of a sense of Hollywood people getting together and having a good time at our expense, but rather from them too enthusiastically winking and nudging at fans of The Room, so that they can laugh along with us. While you can see this without watching The Room, it would be a bit like seeing a sequel before the original, or hearing a punch line of a joke before the set-up.
 
By the time the film reaches its conclusion, it has put a massive smile on your face and told a surprisingly moving and inspirational underdog story. If this really was Tommy Wiseau’s plan all along, then it’s only got one logical conclusion. Let’s finally get him to the Oscars. 

Closing Remarks 

A hilarious and heartwarming ode to glorious failure. 

Movie Parliament Rating: LANDSLIDE 

Your Say

Have you seen The Disaster Artist? Give us your thoughts in the comments below. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    Movie Parliament Prime Minister: Michael Dalton

    Minister for Foreign Affairs: Arnaud Trouve

    Minister for History: Leonhard Balk

    Archives

    March 2019
    October 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    January 2016
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Brad Pitt
    Chris Hemsworth
    Dredd
    Film Review
    Gangster Film
    Kristen Stewart
    New Release
    Sci Fi
    Sci-fi

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.