A film about wanting to make films
The Disaster Artist follows Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero as they meet, move to Los Angeles and dream of acting careers. When the hoped-for opportunities fail to materialise, Wiseau decides to make a film himself. James Franco adapts Sestero and Tom Bissell’s book into a comedy about friendship, ambition and an exceptionally unusual production.
The Franco brothers carry the story
James Franco commits strongly to Wiseau’s voice, manner and physical presence. Dave Franco provides a convincing Sestero alongside him. The brothers’ chemistry makes me believe in the relationship between these characters. The supporting cast fits well too. I particularly enjoyed how precisely the actors within the film production resemble their counterparts.
Comedy without simple contempt
The humour comes primarily from situations on set rather than reducing Wiseau to the target of a cruel joke. That is the film’s great strength: it can show the eccentricities while remaining respectful. The reconstructed sets and scenes also demonstrate impressive attention to detail. After The Disaster Artist, I wanted to watch The Room immediately.
Verdict
You do not need to be a fan of The Room to enjoy this film. I had not seen the original beforehand and still connected with the characters and their absurd undertaking. The performances and meticulous reconstruction make The Disaster Artist a highly recommendable biographical comedy. My rating is 7 out of 10.
Watch the film at home
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Using these links does not add to the price you pay.