By Peter Kougias
Hometown Weekly Intern
“I did not hit her! I did not. Oh, hi Mark” is the staple of a modern cult classic that has swept the world in similar vein of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room” is a muddled experience filled with horrible acting, loose plot lines, and a tacky green screen.
Nearly 15 years later, James Franco recreates the behind-the-scenes story of “The Room” in his new film, “The Disaster Artist.”
The story is a perfect mess.
Wiseau (James Franco) is an oddball struggling to become an actor. He meets Greg Sestero (Dave Franco), another struggling actor, and they move to L.A. in hopes of breaking into the film business. Let’s just say their break smashed records; but not in the way they necessarily expected.
“It’s an underdog story,” screenwriter Michael H. Weber described the film. The audience follows Wiseau and Sestero in their adventure to become stars. As they work on the production, their dysfunctional relationship boils and explodes. However, they rejoin after witnessing the joy they’ve brought to audiences.
While the making of “The Room” is the backdrop of the story, Weber sought to focus the film on the dynamics of an unconventional friendship.
The chemistry of the actors pulls through the utter chaos of the production of “The Room.” While discussing the atmosphere on set, actor Paul Scheer (Raphael) described it as a playful vibe: “Let’s play. We’re in these sets. Keep the cameras rolling; let’s challenge each other,” is how Franco brought the film to life.
It definitely paid off for Scheer, whose scene-stealing role has him confronting Franco’s Wiseau in a rambunctious and loud argument.
“The Disaster Artist” is a small slice of pop culture history centered on an infamous movie. Audiences who are interested in the film do not need prior knowledge of “The Room” to enjoy it, however.
It is a familiar story of friends taking risks and having it all pay off - even if it wasn’t how they intended it.
“The Disaster Artist” is now playing.
