Every now and then you catch a shitty movie on late night TV (or your Android box, or whatever nowadays), and even though it’s trash, you sit there and just let it wash over you while you think about other things. The Room is not that kind of movie. For its uncompromisingly bad script, lack of effort to make coherent sense, and unbelievably ridiculous creator, The film has become more iconic than most major award winners. To pull something so insanely terrible, and yet confusingly charming, takes some kind of artist. A “disaster artist” perhaps.

Following the footsteps of the infamous Tommy Wiseau, James Franco directs and stars in The Disaster Artist, the (based on a) true story told in Greg Sestero’s book, of the making of most famously terrible movie of all time. In 1998, Greg (Dave Franco) meets Tommy in acting class in San Francisco. Inspired by his fearlessness, Greg befriends the mysterious man to learn how to unleash his inner actor. Tommy soon sweeps Greg up into his strange life, and the two swear to follow their dreams of stardom in LA. When things don’t go according to plan, Tommy decides to just write his own movie. What follows is a surreal journey into the filmmaking process of an eccentric, volatile legend in his own mind, who seems to have no clear idea of what a movie is, or how one is made.

“I want my own planet.”

When This Guy saw the first sneak peek at Franco’s Wiseau, he wasn’t convinced. Franco seemed to be leaning too far toward impersonation without actually delving into character. These fears were thankfully unfounded, and you can breathe easy knowing that Tommy Wiseau is brought to life, in lights and on the big screen by Franco’s powerhouse performance. It’s a character so outlandish and unbelievable, that it just has to be real. Who could make it up? Wiseau himself is a public enough figure that you can see for yourself his strangeness and mystery. Who is he? Where does he come from? How old is he? Where did he get his millions? All these questions are brought up, but few, if any, are answered, and you may leave the theater with more questions than when you entered.

The rest of the cast is serviceable, but they simply make room for Franco to showcase “Tommy’s planet.” Dave’s Greg and James’ Tommy play incredibly well off each other. There are a few surprising cameos from some of Hollywood’s best and brightest. Bryan Cranston and Michelle Pfeiffer both make appearances. And a number of other Hollywood elites open the film with testimony about The Room‘s infamy, showing how widespread its influence has been felt, and how many celebrities and artists wanted to be a part of this retelling.

“Just like Mark Damon, the talented Ripley!”

Truth be told, the making of The Room is only a portion of The Disaster Artist‘s story. The film is truly about the friendship between Tommy and Greg, what brings them together, and almost drives them apart. It is also travels deep into Tommy’s own ego, and maybe in some way, the reasons behind his being. If not an explanation of how, perhaps at least why. This is a story for actors, filmmakers, young people with dreams, and anyone who’s ever had that one special friend that just brings about an extraordinary change in your life, whether for better or for worse.

In the end, The Disaster Artist is not only an exercise in wonderful storytelling and humour, with a terrific central performance. It’s a 2 hour dose of ultimate irony. An objectively great, enjoyable, even award worthy film (if the season buzz is to be believed), has been made about the making of the absolute worst piece of trash Hollywood ever accidentally spewed out. And it’s all hanks to the one and only Tommy Wiseau. This strange, mysterious, alien of a man, from “the bayou,” has gifted the world with not only an endlessly fun movie for midnight screenings and party drinking games, but now a fantastic film about the true meaning of friendship, following your dreams, and never letting other people define your success. So, thanks Tommy. You are our rose you are our rose you are our rose you are our rose you are our rose. . .

Oh Hi, Rating: 8/10