If there’s one thing film buffs know, it’s just how much the Academy Awards love movies about the film industry.
That’s why things like The Artist, La La Land, Singin’ in the Rain and even Hugo get such acclaim at the Oscars.
But what about a film which details the making of one of the worst movies ever to grace screens?
Odds are looking good for The Disaster Artist.
The new movie directed by and starring James Franco takes audiences behind the scenes of 2003’s The Room – widely regarded as one of cinema’s most terrible offerings but also beloved by its cult following.
The Room was written, directed and financed by lead actor Tommy Wiseau, who thought he was making the all-American drama to stand beside the likes of Rebel Without a Cause.
He was hilariously deluded, but feverishly determined – two qualities which make for great viewing.
The Disaster Artist follows the cast and crew as they endure the pure outrageousness of The Room shoot.
The movie is based on a book by co-lead Greg Sestero, played by Franco’s brother Dave in the film.
Greg is Tommy’s best – and only – friend. They pair moved to Los Angeles together and built each other up when the famously fickle industry pushed them down.
But as the shoot goes on and on it becomes harder for Greg to defend Tommy’s wacky and sometimes wildly offensive behaviour.
The film is a gem, full of laugh-out-loud moments and an absolute tonne of cameos.
It seems Franco has great pull in celebrity circles and wrangled all his friends and former castmates to make brief appearances in the movie.
Actors include Kristen Bell, Adam Scott, Zoey Deutch, Sharon Stone, Josh Hutcherson, Zac Efron, Jacki Weaver, Ari Graynor, Bryan Cranston, Megan Mullally and producer Seth Rogen.
Delightfully, Dave Franco’s real-life wife Alison Brie (How to be Single) plays his girlfriend Amber and it is just wonderful to see them acting together.
But nothing can beat the Brothers Franco combining, even if James is under a whole heap of prosthetics and make-up to convince the audience he looks far more like Wiseau than he does.