Review of The Disaster Artist (2017) by Mmadnessgames — 12 Mar 2018

I don't like Hollywood biopics, generally, because they push everything through a filter until it becomes palatable (user friendly). I want to see the real story of John Nash, warts and all. And, I want to see the real story of Tommy Wiseau.

The Disaster Artist does the opposite of what biopics usually do. It takes a real person and makes them look as ridiculous as possible. (As opposed to taking a real person and ironing out all the dark aspects of their lives.).

This is Franco's best directing effort and his best acting effort.

But, that doesn't make it a great film.

James Franco's performance as Tommy is the only impressive thing about the film. I'm tired of Seth Rogen and Judd Appatow. I'm tired of Dave Franco with his game show host smile.

I'm tired of cringe comedy. It's not difficult to construct a situation that makes audiences uncomfortable. Franco's Wiseau (when convenient) can't speak English well enough that other characters can understand him. At other points, he simply drops words from sentences.

It borders on Steve Martin's Pink Panther, here and there. But, as a comedy it works (more or less)... Having said that: it's a one joke film, really. Like n SNL skit... The joke being Franco's Wiseau impersonation.

I didn't laugh out loud during the second half of the movie.

As a serious film, it is a complete failure.

There is absolutely no subtlety to anything.

The scenes with Alison Brie are particularly annoying.

I find her face annoying, at this point.

People say it takes a rare talent to make such a bad film. But, personally, I don't find his (Wiseau) lack of talent unique... I've seen a lot of student films. His ability to make a bad film is not unparalleled. He just had the money to produce it.

This is the story of someone who wanted fame, so they bought it.

Tommy Wiseau's story is like so many reality TV stories. He wants fame so much, it doesn't matter if he is a famous imbecile or famously bad at film-making. He just wants to be embraced by the world.

I'm tired of people like this.

Why do we give them any attention?

Apparently, talent is not a prerequisite for celebrity.

This teaches other people to jump on the reality TV bandwagon.

While Franco's performance is good, it's insane that this was nominated for any Academy Awards.