The Disaster Artist (2017)

In 1998 San Francisco, an aspiring actor (Dave Franco) meets an eccentric and mysterious guy by the name of Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) in his acting class. Drawn to him because of his fearless personality, on impulse he moves to Los Angeles with the guy to break into the movies. Based on the non-fiction book by Greg Sestero (played by Dave Franco) and directed by James Franco. It would have been easy to make THE DISASTER ARTIST which focuses on the filming of THE ROOM, considered by many as the best "worst movie ever made", into an all out ha-ha comedy condescending to its film makers' ambitions vs. lack of talent. But the film's power lies not in its humor but in its poignancy, that there's a real person with emotions behind that delusional front. The film is about dreams and friendship at its core and Franco's Tommy Wiseau is an outsider wanting to fit in but he has no talent, he's not good looking, he has an abrasive personality and no one likes him until he meets Greg. James Franco is absolutely fantastic here in what might well be a career defining performance. You may be repelled by him but your heart still aches for him. The massive cast include Seth Rogen, Sharon Stone, Zac Efron, Melanie Griffith, Bryan Cranston, Jacki Weaver, Kristen Bell, Judd Apatow, Megan Mullally, Ari Graynor, Alison Brie and Josh Hutcherson.