Some call it the worst movie ever made. Some consider it the best. Following the success and attention of The Disaster Artist (2017), Tommy Wiseau’s The Room (2003) has seen a resurgence in popularity. After visiting and revisiting and revisiting and revisiting The Room, I can safely say it is one of the best films I have ever experienced.
The Room, starring Tommy Wiseau, is a 99-minute film that was also written, directed, and produced by Tommy Wiseau. The film is bad. No, really. Putting the cult following and its embarrassing and uncomfortable hilarity aside, there are no redeeming qualities of this film. Entire shots are out of focus because no one bothered to check the camera(s) on set. Certain plot points in the film never arise again. The actor performances are awkward and, frankly, painful to watch. The entire production of the film, from writing to producing to editing, was a… disaster. All thanks to one artist.
Tommy Wiseau is a mystery: no one really knows where he’s from (he claims he is from New Orleans), no one really knows how old he is (although he claimed to be in his late 20s in the year 2003), and no one really knows how he has made all of his money. Tommy spent approximately $6 million of his own money on the entire production of The Room, including paying for the film to stay in theaters long enough for Academy Award consideration and paying for the ONE billboard of his film to stay up for FIVE YEARS. The film was only actually in theaters for two weeks and only made about $1,900. Even though this production was a mess and “tanked,” fans ate it up afterward. There is an abundance of jaw-dropping information and fun facts surrounding the film, the film’s production, and Tommy Wiseau himself, and if you ever want to know more about it, contact me at kgarcia2@stevens.edu.
Although Tommy Wiseau set out to produce a compelling, cinematic-landscape changing, dramatic film, The Room ultimately fell flat on its face… but did it really? Ask anyone if they know The Room and you’ll most definitely get some type of emotional response from those who do (some may roll their eyes while many will greet you with elation). There are countless showings of The Room throughout the country every week, and many attendees partake in “fan rituals,” such as throwing plastic spoons in the air and playing football (both of which are relevant to the film). Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero (co-star, line producer, author of The Disaster Artist, and (unofficial) Tommy Wiseau “translator”) show up seemingly randomly to some of these showings to greet fans and answer questions. The cultural impact this film has is unmatched, really. The Disaster Artist (the film based on the book written about Tommy and the production of The Room), was nominated for an Oscar this year for Best Adapted Screenplay and opens with a collection of interviews with celebrities speaking volumes of The Room’s importance. Honestly, The Disaster Artist (film) was one of my favorite films of 2017 and The Disaster Artist (book) was one of my favorite reads in a long time.
“So Koby, how is it possible that a movie as bad as this one is of the best films you’ve ever experienced?”
For me, it’s the inspirational aspect of the film, and hear me out before you skip to another article. Not only did Tommy Wiseau fearlessly pursue and fulfill his dream, but he was able to and continues to make the most of the unexpected reception of his film. What was supposed to be a tragic story about betrayal and love turned out to be a laughing stock of a film, yet to this day, Tommy Wiseau is able to embrace the attention and unorthodox success of his film. While I don’t aspire to be like Tommy Wiseau at all, I do admire his determination and positivity.
If you haven’t seen The Room, grab a few of your closest friends and family members and their friends and some soon-to-be-friends and watch it. Embrace its terrible-ness, memorize your favorite lines of dialogue, and laugh.
If you have seen The Room, grab a few of your closest friends and family members and their friends and some soon-to-be-friends and watch it. Revel in the familiar experience that always feels brand new, quote all of your favorite lines, and laugh. Just as Tommy Wiseau “intended”!
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