Parents' Guide to

The Disaster Artist

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Loving, funny portrait of infamous filmmaker; sex, language.

Movie R 2017 103 minutes
The Disaster Artist Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 14+

Based on 5 parent reviews

CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
June 1, 2020
age 13+

A phenomenal achievement in emulating awkwardness

The Disaster Artist covers the production of one of the worst multi-million dollar movies ever made: "The Room." As seemingly unlikely to be made as The Room itself... About a movie funded by the mysterious alien-like Tommy Wiseau, the Franco brothers both provide a wonderfully unique performance in what was probably one of the hardest (or at least outlandish) role for Dave Franco. While nobody can really emulate Wiseau except for Wiseau, Dave's effort is about as close as it gets. If you can't manage to bear even attempting to watch The Room like myself, then this movie will provide you all you need to know in an entertaining and bearable cringe-inducing ride... That at the same time manages to be respectful towards its source material and even Wiseau to an extent.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
DarylTheStudent
DarylTheStudent Adult
February 21, 2018
age 15+

The Disaster Artist

The Disaster Artist is an excellent film about the making of one of the worst films of all time, The Room. James Franco gives a superb performance as Tommy Wiseau here, as does his brother who play his best friend, Greg. This is not your usual Seth Rogen co-produced movie. There's much less crude content here than in his other R-rated comedies. In fact, there's positive messages about perseverance and pursuing your dreams no matter what people say about you. There's also a message about pride leading to a downfall. That said, the coarse language is still pervasive. (68 f-words, 14 of them are said in 1 scene where Zac Efron's character prepares and acts for a role, and 8 of them in another scene) We also see how one of the sex scenes in The Room was prepared, and we briefly see Tommy's covered up penis, as well as his buttocks. The scene is later (briefly) shown in a screening of The Room. All in all, this film is worth a watch for teens aged 15 and up who are able to tolerate the coarse language.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE DISASTER ARTIST, young San Francisco actor Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) takes classes and dreams of the big time. During one class, he's blown away by the intensity and fearlessness of Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) and asks Tommy to be his acting partner. The two become fast friends and move to Los Angeles together. After a few years of trying and failing in show business, they get an idea: They'll make their own movie. The heavily accented, enigmatic Tommy starts writing and -- using his own mysterious, apparently bottomless, bank account -- buying equipment, hiring crew, and casting. When filming starts, it becomes clear that Tommy doesn't really know what he's doing. Tensions mount, and the movie goes over schedule. But Tommy's passion somehow manages to keep things together. Finally, the movie, called The Room (2003), is finished. But what if they've made the worst movie of all time?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (13):

Taking a cue from Ed Wood, this loving portrait of a terrible filmmaker could have indulged in ridicule, but instead it's about passion and dedication. And it boasts a powerhouse lead performance by James Franco. Also produced and directed by Franco, The Disaster Artist feels like a perfect fit for this hyper-prolific jack-of-all-trades; he must understand more than most the drive to create and the pleasure/pain of the creation's ultimate completion and exhibition. (The real Wiseau has a cameo in the movie, indicating that he must have approved.)

Without ever inventing any kind of backstory for Wiseau -- and never solving the triple mystery of his birthplace, his age, and his financial situation -- the movie gives us a fascinating, dynamic character who, miraculously, never outstays his welcome. As Greg, Dave Franco (James' real-life brother) has the much harder job, driving the plot forward, convincingly being Tommy's friend, and showing what it was like to also be in his shadow. He does all this admirably. Packed with fascinating, so-odd-they-must-be-true details, The Disaster Artist is consistently funny and touching, and, like The Room itself, enjoyable in its own weird way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Disaster Artist portrays sex. Why do you think the character insists on doing a nude scene and a sex scene? Why is the scene funny instead of sexy?

  • How violent is the movie? Does it raise tension through arguing and yelling? What actual scenes of violence are there?

  • Does the movie mock Tommy Wiseau? Does it admire or respect him? Do you want to like him? How does the movie achieve these things?

  • How does this movie change or enhance your experience of viewing The Room?

Movie Details

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