The Disaster Artist BD + Screen Caps

THE MOVIE — 3.75/5

The Disaster Artist tells the story of one of the most bizarre and worst best bad movies ever made. Now, if you think you’re going to go in to learn more about Tommy Wiseau, you’ll probably walk away with more questions than you had before. This film is, in its own quirky way, living the dream, even if you go on a much different path.

The film opens in 1998 where we meet Tommy (JAMES FRANCO) in drama class where he is befriended by fellow student Greg (DAVE FRANCO), who was in awe of his flamboyant “performance” on stage. Together they form a bond, both with the dream of making it in Hollywood. So, they go from San Francisco, where Tommy has an apartment, out to L.A. where, oddly enough, Tommy also has a nice million-dollar pad overlooking the skyline.

Soon enough, Tommy and Greg are attempting to break into the business with Greg quickly getting an agent and both going on casting calls. However, with awful auditions and nothing coming down the pipeline for either, they decide why not just make a movie of their own? Tommy sits down to write a script he would call “The Room” with him playing the lead of Johnny and offering the role of Mark to Greg.

Given Tommy has an apartment in two of the most expensive places in the United States, it’s no surprise he’s able to self-finance the project going so far as to buy the cameras (two) when normally they are rented and put together a somewhat experienced crew. Initially Tommy is just a quirky fellow who was tolerated but as the film went on, going past schedule and over budget (supposedly the final tally was $6M), Tommy becomes more and more volatile even to his friend, Greg.

The Disaster Artist was a very interesting inside look at just how The Room was not only made, but you do get to see sincerity, if not insanity, that was Tommy Wiseau in his pursuit of the Hollywood dream. The bulk of the film focuses on the actual project than the aftermath, though the premiere, financed and put together by Tommy of course, is well done and does offer some actual emotion to Tommy as a character and his embracement, if not to save face, of The Room’s terrible awesomeness.

Beyond the (somewhat) inside Hollywood aspects, the film thrives on the transformative performance of James Franco, a controversial personality in his own right, especially of late. Franco truly gets lost in the role both playing it creepy and yet strangely charming… again much like Franco himself. Now, do you get a better sense of who Tommy Wiseau is as a person due to Franco? Yes and no. Given he, as director and producer, never does get the true background of Wiseau (we still don’t know where he really is from nor how old he is), and yet still manages to give a well rounded view of such an unusual character.

It would be easy to be overshadowed but the supporting cast does get their due in some respects, especially James’s brother, Dave Franco’s portrayal of Greg the (more often than not) supporter of Tommy, defending the man when he frankly was indefensible. Seth Rogen gets a bit of the short end of the stick but perhaps helped sell the movie since he was served as one of 100 producers and Ari Graynor has some fun – and awkward when it came to the “sex scene” – scenes and being a fan, nice to see her in a more substantial role.

The Disaster Artist is an incredibly funny while also interesting film though don’t go in expecting any answers on who exactly Tommy Wiseau is since there will be more questions than answers. Still, James Franco’s performance is top notch and is aided rather well with the respectable supporting cast.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.75/5

This release comes with a matted slip cover and inside is a redemption code for a Digital HD copy.

Audio Commentary features Actor/Producer/Director James Franco, Actor Dave Franco, Auteur Tommy Wiseau, Actor Greg Sestero & Writers Scott Neustadler and Michael H. Weber. This is a great array of participants each offering their insights into the project and it was nice to hear the real life Tommy and Greg.

Oh, Hi Mark: Making a Disaster (13:07; HD) takes viewers behind-the-scenes on the genesis of the project and the insanity and phenom that was The Room. Features interviews with James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Ari Graynor and others involved with making a movie within a movie.

Directing a Disaster (7:07; HD) focuses on James Franco’s directing style with comments from the cast and crew on working with him.

Just a Guy Leaning on a Wall: Getting to Know Tommy (7:12; HD) is a featurette on the real, strange and mysterious, Tommy Wiseau.

Gag Reel (4:06; HD) – As you can imagine, there’s plenty of fodder material.

Theatrical Trailer (2:13; HD)

Previews – Lady Bird, The Florida Project, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, A Ghost Story, Swiss Army Man

VIDEO – 4.5/5

AUDIO – 4.25/5

OVERALL – 4.0/5

Overall, The Disaster Artist is quite the interesting insight into how The Room came into existence, though if you’re looking for answers as to who Tommy Wiseau actually is, you’ll walk away with many more questions than answers, though it is surprising after all this time not one person has come forward that knew him prior to meeting Greg Sestero… The Blu-ray released by Lionsgate offers up great video/audio transfers and a fairly good selection of bonus material.