For those who have never seen or heard of The Room, from director, writer, star, producer and executive producer Tommy Wiseau, boy have you been denied an experience. The film, with the basic story of a love triangle where a mans ‘future wife’ (that’s literally what they say instead of fiancée) cheats on him with his best friend (they remind you enough of that fact), was bombarded from day one. The film bombed big time at the box-office, but worse was the critical slaughtering it received – immediately earning the film the label of being the worst film ever made. That is probably where it should have stayed – but something miraculous happened. The film, thanks mainly due to YouTube, gained a cult following for being so bad, so fundamentally flawed beyond repair that it entertained on an unintentionally comedic level.

The Room is quite the sight to behold, but just as interesting was its development and aftermath. Friend of Tommy Wiseau and co-star Greg Sistero, with co-writer Tom Bissell, wrote a book based on the experiences he’d had with Wiseau and the films production. It is from this book that James Franco dedicated himself to bringing this unique and completely absurd yet true story to the big screen.

Greg Sistero was a struggling actor – he was shy and afraid of what people would think when they saw him. Tommy was the exact opposite, putting himself out there to an almost psychotic degree. The two of them bond and after years of unsuccessful struggling to become movie stars – and with help from Wiseau’s seemingly endless supply of money – decide to make a film all of their own. It is then that Sistero sees how controlling and insane Wiseau is, but also realises how much the two of them need each other. It all builds up to the fateful premier, where a mass audience will finally see what talent they have – or lack thereof.

While stylistically different, The Disaster Artist reminded me a lot of Tim Burton’s Ed Wood. The subject matter isn’t massively different, and the theme of a man achieving a cinematic dream only to produce something awful in the end. But what really linked the two together for me was that, while both were comedies and hilarious ones at that, they did not make fun of their respective directors. In fact, they kind of celebrated them, and it’s easy to see why with the passion and drive they have. But, I will admit that The Disaster Artist is the far better film.

James Franco stars as Wiseau and even directs the film. Directing-wise, Franco delivers a very grounded and down to earth film. You really feel like you could be there, like the fly on the wall – which is exactly what we wanted with a film about the making of The Room. This also helps the humour hit with that dry-wit humour it has. It also allows the emotional moments, of which there are a few, hit home. It is an oddly impressive directorial effort from Franco. Made even more impressive when he and the cast recreate scenes from The Room. There is a moment just before the end credits when they play clips from The Room and scenes recreated in The Disaster Artist and it is near uncanny.

James Franco plays Wiseau so convincingly well that I didn’t recognise him once in the film. As Greg Sistero, who is the films main character although Wiseau does have a regular presence, is Franco’s brother Dave Franco. Not only was he played just as well, but the chemistry the two of them share is flawless. I never saw them as brothers, I saw them as friends. It was what had me worried the most, but great writing and performances brought them over that hurdle. Other members of the cast, including Seth Rogan, Josh Hutcherson, Alison Brie and Ari Graynor, all do just as superbly. No performance failed to make me laugh or engage me in the more serious moments.

It’s almost fitting really that The Room, one of the worst films ever made, should lead to the production of a film this good. I have no issues with it outside of some strange uses of shaky-cam here and there – but even these aren’t that noticeable most of the time. This film does ultimately beg the question though, is The Room the worst film ever made? If it has brought so much joy to so many people how could it be? It feels very honest and sincere that way, making it pleasant as well as funny, involving and just plain great.

If you haven’t seen The Room then you can still watch and furrily enjoy The Disaster Artist. I hope that this film, and the story of Wiseau, will inspire and motivate others to bring life to their own stories, no matter how great or terrible the result will be. It may not be as funny as, say, The Death of Stalin, but it feels more sincere and pleasant. This is one that you should not miss. The Disaster Artist is easily one of the strongest, and strangest, films released this year and it deserves all of its ‘Hai Mark’s.

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