The Disaster Artist (2017)
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The film chronicles an unlikely friendship between aspiring actors that results in the production of a film widely considered one of the worst ever made.
The story
In San Francisco in 1998, 19-year-old Greg Sestero befriends Tommy Wiseau in an acting class after Tommy gives a bizarre interpretation of a scene from A Streetcar Named Desire. Greg is impressed by Tommy's fearlessness, though Tommy exhibits unusual habits and refuses to discuss his personal life or the source of his wealth. At Tommy's suggestion, the two move to Los Angeles to pursue acting careers. While Greg begins to find success with an agent, Tommy faces constant rejection. As Greg's opportunities begin to dry up, Tommy decides to produce his own film, leading to the creation of The Room, a melodrama about a love triangle.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1998, Greg Sestero and Tommy Wiseau become friends in a San Francisco acting class. They move to Los Angeles, where Greg finds an agent while Tommy faces constant rejection. To bypass the industry, Tommy decides to produce his own film, The Room. During production, Tommy's controlling behavior, lack of experience, and refusal to provide basic crew needs create significant tension. While filming, Greg is offered a role in a TV show but chooses to stay with the production. On the final day of filming in San Francisco, Greg confronts Tommy about his mysterious background and wealth. By 2003, the film is finished. At its premiere, the audience reacts with laughter at the poor filmmaking and acting. A humiliated Tommy storms out, but Greg follows him, and they reconcile. The film ends with Tommy taking a bow for his 'comedy' while the pair receives a standing ovation. A post-credits scene shows a man named Henry approaching Tommy at a party.
- First release year
- 2017
- Runtime (minutes)
- 103
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- James Franco
- Writers
- Scott Neustadter · screenplay; Michael H. Weber · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- James Franco · Tommy Wiseau; Dave Franco · Sestero; Alison Brie · Amber; Ari Graynor · Juliette Danielle; Josh Hutcherson · Philip Haldiman; Jacki Weaver · Carolyn Minnott; Seth Rogen · himself; Bryan Cranston · himself
- Genres
- biographical comedy-drama; comedy-drama
- Themes
- the creative process; friendship
- Tone and mood
- humorous; heartening
- Setting
- San Francisco and Los Angeles, 1998–2003
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; based on a true story; film about a film
- Source material / true-story basis
- Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell's 2013 non-fiction book
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised the chemistry between the Franco brothers and their portrayals of Wiseau and Sestero, as well as the film's humor and screenplay.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 76 · scale: 100 · review count: 44; PostTrak · score: 81%
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe Awards · Best Actor – Musical or Comedy · win; Golden Globe Awards · Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy · nomination; Screen Actors Guild Awards · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role · nomination; Academy Awards · Best Adapted Screenplay · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film's title was reported to have changed from The Disaster Artist to The Masterpiece in April 2016.; The film was the first American film to win the Golden Shell at the San Sebastián International Film Festival since 2007.; A24 mounted a billboard in Los Angeles that replicated the original The Room billboard.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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