The Disaster Artist (2017)

The Disaster Artist is special because it turns one of cinema’s most infamous train wrecks into a surprisingly tender, big-hearted celebration of trying—really trying—to make something that matters. It’s hilarious in the moment-to-moment absurdity, but it never punches down; instead, it finds real poignancy in the oddball friendship at the center and the strange, stubborn hope that fuels creative dreams in Hollywood. James Franco gives a transformative performance that captures Tommy Wiseau’s mystique without reducing him to a punchline, and the film’s vibe is warm, energetic, and lightly bittersweet, like a backstage pass to ambition at its most sincere and misguided. If you want a mean-spirited roast or you’re allergic to secondhand embarrassment, it may not be your flavor—but if you enjoy comedies with a human pulse, it’s a charming crowd-pleaser that earns its laughs and its heart.

The Disaster Artist is clearly trying to celebrate the weird, unlikely friendship behind a famously terrible film and turn Hollywood failure into something oddly inspiring. The problem is it can feel slow and a bit disjointed, and its portrayal of Tommy Wiseau leans so sympathetic that it comes off superficial, like it’s sanding down the messier edges to keep things crowd-pleasing. A lot of the jokes and the “big moments” also play like a gimmick if you don’t already know The Room, so you may sit there wondering what the fuss is about. Still, James Franco and Dave Franco bring genuine warmth, and if you enjoy showbiz stories about delusion and persistence, it can be an easy, likable watch.