# The Disaster Artist

> 2017 film directed by James Franco

**Wikidata**: [Q22078002](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22078002)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Disaster_Artist_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-disaster-artist

## Summary
The Disaster Artist is a 2017 biographical comedy-drama film directed by James Franco, based on Greg Sestero's non-fiction book about the making of the cult film *The Room*. The film chronicles the friendship between aspiring actor Greg Sestero and enigmatic filmmaker Tommy Wiseau, culminating in the production of Wiseau's infamous 2003 film.

## Key Facts
- Directed by James Franco, who also stars as Tommy Wiseau
- Based on the 2013 non-fiction book *The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made* by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell
- Genre: biographical film, comedy-drama
- Production companies: New Line Cinema, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Point Grey Pictures, A24
- Distributed by A24 in the United States
- Budget: $10 million
- Box office gross: $29.8 million
- Runtime: 105 minutes
- Country of origin: United States
- Language: English
- Release date: December 1, 2017 (United States)
- IMDb ID: tt3521126
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%
- Metacritic score: 76/100
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10
- Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 90th Academy Awards
- Won Best Actor – Musical or Comedy at the 75th Golden Globe Awards for James Franco
- Received the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films award

## FAQs
**What is the film about?**
The Disaster Artist tells the true story of Greg Sestero's friendship with Tommy Wiseau and their journey to make *The Room*, which became known as "the Citizen Kane of bad movies." The film explores themes of friendship, artistic ambition, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.

**Who stars in the film besides James Franco?**
The film features Dave Franco as Greg Sestero, Seth Rogen as Sandy Schklair, Alison Brie as Amber, Ari Graynor as Juliette Danielle, and Josh Hutcherson as Philip Haldiman. Many of the original *Room* cast members make cameo appearances.

**How accurate is the film to the real story?**
While the film takes some creative liberties for dramatic effect, it closely follows the events described in Greg Sestero's book. Many scenes are directly adapted from the book's accounts, and the film includes recreations of actual *Room* scenes that are remarkably faithful to the original.

**What awards did the film receive?**
The Disaster Artist received critical acclaim and numerous awards. James Franco won Best Actor – Musical or Comedy at the 75th Golden Globe Awards. The film was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 90th Academy Awards and received the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films award.

**Where can I watch The Disaster Artist?**
The film is available on various streaming platforms and for digital rental or purchase. It was distributed by A24 in the United States and has been released on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats.

## Why It Matters
The Disaster Artist matters as both a celebration of outsider art and a meta-commentary on the filmmaking process. It brings mainstream attention to *The Room*, one of cinema's most fascinating cultural phenomena, while exploring universal themes of friendship, artistic ambition, and the American dream. The film serves as a bridge between mainstream audiences and cult film culture, making the story of *The Room*'s creation accessible to those unfamiliar with the original film. Its success demonstrates the enduring appeal of stories about artistic perseverance and the complex relationship between artistic intent and audience reception.

## Notable For
- James Franco's dual role as director and lead actor, earning him a Golden Globe
- Faithful recreations of *The Room* scenes that are nearly shot-for-shot identical to the original
- Bringing the story of *The Room* to mainstream audiences
- Critical and commercial success despite being about a notoriously "bad" film
- Featuring cameos from the original *Room* cast members
- Balancing comedy with genuine emotional depth in its portrayal of friendship
- Serving as both a biopic and a film about filmmaking
- Achieving high critical scores (90% Rotten Tomatoes) while telling the story of a film with a 26% Rotten Tomatoes score

## Body

### Production and Development
The Disaster Artist was developed from Greg Sestero's 2013 memoir of the same name, co-written with Tom Bissell. The book detailed Sestero's experiences as a struggling actor who befriended the mysterious Tommy Wiseau and became involved in the production of *The Room*. James Franco optioned the book rights and developed the project through his production company, Ramona Films, in collaboration with New Line Cinema, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, and Point Grey Pictures.

### Cast and Characters
James Franco stars as Tommy Wiseau, the enigmatic filmmaker behind *The Room*, while his real-life brother Dave Franco plays Greg Sestero. The supporting cast includes Seth Rogen as Sandy Schklair, the script supervisor on *The Room*, and Alison Brie as Amber, Sestero's girlfriend. The film features numerous cameos from comedians and actors, including Zac Efron, Hannibal Buress, and Sharon Stone. Several original *Room* cast members appear as themselves, including Carolyn Minnott (playing her own mother) and Robyn Paris.

### Filming and Production Design
Principal photography took place in Los Angeles in 2016. The production team meticulously recreated scenes from *The Room*, often shooting them side-by-side with the original footage to ensure accuracy. The film's production design team worked to capture the aesthetic of early-2000s independent filmmaking, including the distinctive look of *The Room*'s sets and costumes. The recreation of *The Room*'s infamous scenes, such as the "Oh hai, Mark" rooftop conversation and the "I did not hit her" scene, were shot with remarkable fidelity to the original.

### Critical Reception and Impact
Upon release, The Disaster Artist received widespread critical acclaim for its performances, particularly James Franco's portrayal of Tommy Wiseau. Critics praised the film's ability to be both humorous and genuinely touching, finding humanity in characters who could have been treated as mere punchlines. The film's success introduced *The Room* to a broader audience and sparked renewed interest in the cult phenomenon. It also sparked discussions about the nature of artistic ambition and the fine line between failure and success in creative endeavors.

### Cultural Significance
The film serves as a cultural bridge between mainstream cinema and cult film appreciation. It validates the passion and dedication of independent filmmakers while acknowledging the often-comedic results of their efforts. The Disaster Artist has become a case study in how "bad" films can achieve cultural significance and how stories about artistic failure can resonate with audiences. The film's success also demonstrates the enduring appeal of stories about outsiders pursuing their dreams against all odds.

### Distribution and Release
A24 distributed The Disaster Artist in the United States, releasing it on December 1, 2017, in limited release before expanding to a wider audience. The film's marketing campaign cleverly played on audiences' curiosity about *The Room* while positioning the film as accessible to those unfamiliar with the original. The release strategy included special screenings with Q&A sessions featuring Greg Sestero and other cast members.

### Legacy and Influence
The Disaster Artist has secured its place in film history as both an entertaining biopic and a thoughtful exploration of artistic ambition. It has inspired discussions about the nature of "good" and "bad" cinema and the role of intention in artistic evaluation. The film's success has led to increased scholarly attention to *The Room* and other cult films, examining how they achieve their status and what they reveal about audience engagement with cinema. It has also influenced how biographical films about contemporary subjects are approached, particularly those involving living subjects who are active participants in the filmmaking process.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521126/)
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. [Source](http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a13979291/ari-graynor-interview/)
4. The Movie Database
5. The Disaster Artist. Rotten Tomatoes
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521126/releaseinfo)
7. BBC Things
8. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt3521126/)
9. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/disaster-artist-2017)
10. Entertainment Identifier Registry
11. Google Knowledge Graph
12. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=285667)
13. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=227079.html)
14. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
15. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/147992)
16. Cineplex
17. [Source](http://justica.gov.br/news/classificacao-indicativa-divulga-a-lista-de-filmes-que-entram-em-cartaz-nos-cinemas-15)
18. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
19. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/179617/34/179617/1/209.pdf)
20. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=15718)
21. Bechdel Test Movie List
22. mymovies.it
23. Danish Film Database
24. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=408203)
25. TheTVDB
26. Trakt.tv
27. FilmVandaag.nl