The Disaster Artist (R) ★★★½

“The Disaster Artist” Stars Dave Franco and his brother James Franco. Photo Credit: Focus Features

The Disaster Artist

James Franco directs and stars in a mockumentary of sorts that centers on the Hollywood dreams of writer and director Tommy Wiseau. Similar in tone to Johnny Depp’s Ed Wood, Wiseau is a serious actor/director, who simply can’t act nor direct well. In 2003, he produced a film titled The Room; a serious film about love, friendship, betrayal, and dreams. The film’s debut found a theater in full uproarious laughter. Yes, the film is so bad it’s good. Gaining cult status has actually reaped income for The Room.

Franco secured the rights from Wiseau to simulate the development, process and final product as closely as possible. Dave Franco, James’s brother in real life, plays Wiseau’s friend Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor. Together they work towards fulfilling their dream of making it in Hollywood.

The Disaster Artist is based on the book, “The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made” by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell.

Other cast include Alison Brie (The Little Hours 2017) as Amber (Dave Franco wife in real life. Zac Efron (Baywatch 2017) as Dan Janjigian. Seth Rogen (Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising 2016) as Sandy Schklair. Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 2015) as Philip Haldiman.

The Bottom-Line? James Franco has found his “dream role” in Tommy Wiseau, he’s perfect in every way for the part. This is Franco’s movie all the way. Wiseau is a bizarre, complex character; for starters the guy’s personal attributes of mystery, his wacky haircut and accent are hysterical. He refuses to tell anyone who old he is, where he’s truly from (he says New Orleans) and how he got his millions. Franco wears a prosthetic on his face, adding to the guise, he has transformed into Wiseau in every screen way possible, and we are the fortunate viewers. Be warned; you will laugh out loud through most of the film; while appreciating the comedic genius of Franco and his buddy Seth Rogen and brother Dave.

Cast: Bryan Cranston (Bryan Cranston), Alison Brie (Amber), James (Tommy Wiseau), Dave Franco (Greg Sestero), Zac Efron (Dan Janjigian), Seth Rogen (Sandy Schklair), Josh Hutcherson (Philip Haldiman), Jackie Weaver (Carolyn Minnott), Cameos by Lizzy Caplan, Kirsten Bell, Adam Scott, Zach Braff and J.J. Abrams

Credits: Directed by James Franco. Written by Michael H. Weber and Scott Neustadter.

Studio: A24 Films

Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes