THE DISASTER ARTIST – Rated R – 1 hr 44 mins

THE DISASTER ARTIST – Rated R – 1 hr 44 mins

Director: James Franco

Starring:  James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Ari Graynor and Alison Brie

Based on his real-life, rather bizarre story…we meet Tommy Wiseau (James Franco), performing away in acting class, as he meets another aspiring, yet much younger wanna-be star, Greg Sestero (Dave Franco).

As Greg is taken aback by Tommy’s extravagant lifestyle, and awesome accent…even though he’s supposedly from New Orleans…Greg decides to follow Tommy, and his wild man ways…moving to LA to make their way into the television and movie business…

When Greg decides to venture into a relationship with the beautiful Amber (Alison Brie), Tommy is definitely not stoked about the disruption this new girlfriend has brought to their lives…as she is totally destroying Tommy’s vibe, and the process of him and Greg making their own movie…

So as Tommy sets out to write, direct and produce his own film, he finally convinces Greg to join him on this journey…as they attempt to make a serious film…somewhat biographical of  parts of Tommy’s so-called past life.

As this process turns into more of a nightmare with each passing day…it seems that Greg and Studio Assistant Sandy (Seth Rogan), have just about had enough of Tommy, his bad acting, and his constant slow moving escapades…

Finally finishing the film, and now ready to show “his masterpiece” to the world, Tommy rents out a theater for his films “world premiere”, but, sadly, never really readies himself for the mixed response that he is about to have to endure…

I give THE DISASTER ARTIST a rating between MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN and WAIT AND CATCH THIS FILM ON DVD:  Okay, having never viewed Wiseau’s film THE ROOM, before viewing this film about Tommy, Greg, and their days of making this movie, I was surprised immensely by how enjoyable this rather quirky little biography turned out to be.  James Franco is absolutely spectacular as the accent wielding, apparent millionaire Wiseau ~ even though no one really knows where his money, or his accent come from.  Dave Franco is just as enjoyable to view, playing Tommy’s friend, fellow actor and confidant in this thing they call the “movie making biz”.  Rogan, Brie, even Graynor rounded out a really superb cast, as they make a film, about a film, entirely full of BS, but appealing in a peculiar kind of way. Making this film even more enjoyable to partake, was the fact that many in attendance had apparently not only viewed Wiseau’s THE ROOM, but many times it seems…as it was as if I was sitting through a midnight viewing of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, when numerous people started mouthing the words of the actual film, being played out within this biography.  Needless to say, THE ROOM is now on my list of films to catch over the upcoming holiday season, as it is apparently another cult classic in the making…thus leading me to suggest if you are looking to catch a film that is absolutely bizarre, but in a rather enjoyable kind of way…then you have to catch THE DISASTER ARTIST at a theater near you this weekend.  But, if this review hasn’t intrigued you enough to venture out to see the Franco brothers tell this off-the-wall, true-life story, then by all means wait and catch this one on DVD then, when it breaks in the coming year!

Kathy Kaiser