The Room (2003) - Embrace the bad

2003's 'The Room' is a difficult film to rate.  I'd like to give it 10/10, but, unless you have at least a small understanding of the history of this film, you may be mistaken for saying that it's possibly one of the greatest movies every made, up there with 'The Godfather' and 'Empire Strikes Back.' I can assure you it's not anything like those films.  In fact, although I'd still give it top marks, it should be noted that 'The Room' is only top of its own league in some alternate universe.

If you've ever watched a film that, deep down, you know isn't actually good - and yet you've taken a fair amount of enjoyment from it anyway, then chances are you occasionally treat yourself to a 'so-bad-it's-good' sort of movie.  If you have then you may get something out of this.

I would tell you the story, only there isn't really much of one.  At best it's a romantic drama about a couple - one of which is having an affair with her future husband's best friend.  It all sounds pretty standard stuff for a drama, but it is one film that has to be seen to be believed.

It's awful.

I literally cannot think of any positive thing to say about it.  And yet I loved it.  It truly is a carcrash that, if it hooks you, you will be completely unable to look away from.  The acting - awful.  The sets - bizarrely awful (check out the last scene where the spiral staircase has been boarded up and yet characters are still supposed to be going up and down it).  The dialogue - cringeworthy.  And the sheer randomness of scenes that don't go anywhere, coupled with new characters who just sort of pop up and then disappear again with no real explanation, all leaves you with more than a few question marks above your head.

The irony being that writer/director and (believe it or not!) 'actor' Tommy Wiseau actually thought he was creating something brilliant.  However, only after 'The Room's' release did it dawn on him that people were mocking the film as it appeared to top more than a few 'Worst Film Ever' lists.

Now 'The Room' is more infamous than famous.  It even spawned it's own dramatic 'making of' movie - the excellent - 'Disaster Artist.' If you're into films then you should at least be aware of this film and the tales of how it came about.  If you like your 'so-bad-they're-good' films then you'll probably stick with this one.  It certainly will leave an impression with you - whether that's a positive or negative will be up to you.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that