June 27, 2003, the mysterious Tommy Wiseau premiered his directorial debut, The Room. Written, produced, directed, and starring Wiseau himself, The Room is considered by many as the best worst film ever made and 14 years after it’s release, The Room is arguably more popular than ever as it screens in theatres all around the world with a huge cult following. For years, the film was looked at as a film that had failed so horribly, that it ultimately succeeded in the long run. However, on October 10, 2013, everything changed when leading actor in The Room, Greg Sestero, and American Journalist, Tom Bissell, published the memoir, The Disaster Artist. The book gave fans of The Room an inside look at the behind-the-scenes chaos of which unfolded during the making of the film, including some insight on the peculiar relationship between Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero; who were roommates and best friends at the time of filming. Four years later, Academy Award nominee James Franco (127 Hours) directed, produced, and starred in the film adaptation of said memoir, The Disaster Artist, as the eccentric and unforgettable Tommy Wiseau, and has since gone on to receive unanimous critical acclaim. And for good reason.

While it would have been easy to simply make fun of The Room and laugh at Wiseau’s unbelievable personality and character, screenwriting duo Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (The Spectacular Now) wisely chose to focus on the alluring friendship and drive for success between Tommy and Greg in the late 90’s as the two traveled to L.A. in search of fame and fortune. The film is a love letter to the dreamers and go-getters. For those who try, fail, get back up, and try again. It’s a fascinating, poignant, and ever-so relatable story of hard-working, success-driven individuals who never give up on their dreams and simply shoot for the stars.

James Franco is astonishing as Tommy Wiseau and does not come off as an imitation but rather a fully realized recreation of Wiseau as he embodies the soul and essence of his character. The sympathy and admiration felt for Tommy in the film is genuine and never feels as if the filmmakers are forcing unwarranted emotion out of you. The laughs, and tears, are all sincere and heartfelt as you grow attached to and come to understand and appreciate Tommy and Greg as the passionate and caring friends that really are; and it’s quite frankly beautiful and poetic.

The Disaster Artist is one of the very best biographical films out there, and for good reason. This is a story we have seen before, as with Tim Burton’s 1994 classic, Ed Wood, which chronicles the life and career of one of the worst filmmakers in history, Edward D. Wood Jr., or E. Elias Merhige’s Shadow of the Vampire, showing the disturbing lengths actor Max Schreck went through in order to properly portray the evil vampire in Nosferatu. Where The Disaster Artist differs from these films however, is its focus on passion and friendship; showing how within the brooding and relentless film industry, two outsiders have the capability of creating something entirely special and unique on their own. A masterfully respectful and endearing film with exquisite morals and themes anyone can relate to. 5 out of 5 stars (10/10).