Chris here. We don't spend much time celebrating movie turkeys here at The Film Experience, but the upcoming release of The Disaster Artist provides a unique opportunity of sorts. The film (which I reviewed at TIFF) recounts the making of "worst movie of all time" The Room with James Franco directing and starring as the film's eccentric creator Tommy Wiseau. And it's looking like the film is drumming up an equally idiosyncratic Oscar campaign before its early December release.
What looks like an homage billboard has something a little more special. Take note of Artist's posted phone number - because James Franco has been taking calls.
Two Billboards Outside Hollywood and Highland pic.twitter.com/KNB2w0diL6
— A24 (@A24) October 25, 2017
Fans of The Room will note this particular billboard's role in the lore surrounding Tommy Wiseau's cinematic catastrophe: the ad stayed up for years after the film (naturally) bombed, eventually creating curiosity in some of the famous faces that introduce Franco's ode. Using the same billboard to stir Artist's future devotees is a nod as heartwarming as the film itself.
The Best Actor race is light this year enough to make room for a comedic homage like James Franco delivers. Voters may not all be familiar with Wiseau to recognize how eeriely exacting his portrayal is, but they should be able to resonate with the oddball Hollywood success story elements. The billboard story here at least shows that A24 has some creative ideas for familiarizing audiences with Wiseau's world, but could bringing out Wiseau himself show voters just how close Franco's portrayal is? Maybe Franco could tell us if we give him a call...