Post by StevePulaski on Oct 20, 2010 20:37:27 GMT -5
You're tearing him apart, Lisa!
Rating: ★
The Room has been called "the best worst movie" and "the Citizen Kane of bad movies". It is definitely a bad movie, but it doesn't even know it's bad. It goes so over the top with its acting, with Tommy Wiseau to blame mainly. and so thin on progression and depth. It's even a challenge to review since many of the scenes basically plea to be seen rather than to be discussed from a narrative perspective.
Tommy Wiseau is the film's error in a nutshell. He is a horrendously poor actor, doesn't know exactly how to recite his lines in a believable, and for that matter convincing, manner, and has this awkward, stiff screen presence. Think of Jean-Claude Van Damme's talentless brother. I've heard from many that when you meet him in person and comment on how bad The Room actually is, he doesn't even know what you're talking about. He is oblivious to the fact that he created one of the most laughably bad dramas in recent history. But also, the most entertaining in the worst possible ways.
The story is about Johnny (Wiseau) who is about to be engaged to a gorgeous women named Lisa (Danielle). What Johnny doesn't know is that Lisa's love for him is wearing thin to the point where she resorts to having an affair with Johnny's friend Mark, played surprisingly well by Greg Sestero, who seems like the only person that is trying to give a decent performance. There's also a kid named Denny (Haldiman), Johnny's neighbor whom Lisa and him treat like a real son. I use the term "kid" loosely. We don't know how old he is, if he has parents, or what his purpose is at all. At times, he seems like he could be a functioning adult, but at other times he acts like a curious ten year old.
The biggest problem, besides some of the most atrocious acting in recent years, is the countless number of continuity errors and abandoned subplots that plague the film like a virus. Not only does Wiseau seem mostly unfocused, but so does the whole script. There is an instance where Lisa's mom is talking with her daughter and brings up that test results prove she has breast cancer. Gee, that's pretty depressing and sad, huh? Would you believe Lisa doesn't even ask a single question afterwards? We have bigger topics to tackle. Like Lisa becoming uninspired and bored with her relationship.
Another scene that feels like it was added in during post-production is the scene where Denny has a violent encounter with a drug addict on the roof of their apartment. It's arguably the most interesting and climatic scene in the film, but we fail to garner any specific backstory. Just this rushed, deflated scene, and then it's on to the next anomaly of filmmaking, with this instance never to be mentioned again.
This is a cult film in every sense of the term, and the one star rating should not be viewed as a heavy one. I am inclined to review films based on whether or not they are good, and what I believe they rightfully deserve. The Room doesn't deserve a positive rating, but that doesn't mean I didn't personally enjoy it. It's not a good movie, but I had fun watching it and was never bored. I would almost go on to say its viewing is vital for those who are brave enough to hold out for it. Its comedic value is high, yet its quality value is shockingly low. I guess I can say I've never seen a bad movie this good.
Starring: Tommy Wiseau, Juliette Danielle, Greg Sestero, Philip Haldiman, Carolyn Minnott, and Robyn Paris. Directed by: Tommy Wiseau.