Many people have yet to experience the enigma that is the film The Room (2003). Today, any time I bring that film up I get asked, “is that the one with Brie Larson?” No. No, it is not. The Room tells a much darker story; one of love, friendship, and betrayal. More importantly, it tells the utterly bizarre story of a man: Tommy Wiseau.
Wiseau directed, wrote, produced, and starred in the film. The film was completely financed with his own money, as far as anyone knows. The Room is widely regarded as “the worst movie of all time.” Actor James Franco referred to it as “the Citizen Kane” of bad movies. And it is bad, it’s horrible, but to be completely honest I’ve seen The Room more than I’ve seen many good movies. It’s comically bad, every time I watch it there ’s something new that makes me bust out laughing. The laughs are certainly great but there is something else that always brings me back to this movie: the enormous amount of questions that come along with it.
Who is Tommy Wiseau? Where did he come from? How did he finance a $6 million production?
These are all questions that even science still cannot answer for certain. Wiseau, despite having a blatant European accent, claims to have been born and raised in New Orleans.
Wiseau’s best friend and The Room co-star Greg Sestro claims in his book, The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside the Room, that Wiseau did live in New Orleans. Obituary records were found of his Aunt and Uncle Wieczor. They lived in Chalmette, LA., a small town outside of New Orleans. The name “Wiseau” is a combination of the French word for “bird” and Wieczor. Now, why include “bird” in his name? Rumor has it that Wiseau moved to San Francisco during his early adulthood. He sold bird toys to children in Fisherman’s Wharf, a popular tourist destination. People there apparently called him “The Birdman.” Suiting, because there is as much mystery surrounding him as an actual comic book hero, or villain. Hardcore Wiseau fans believe he is originally from Poland, based upon immigration records and the origin of the name Wieczor.
In terms of finances, Wiseau claims to have been some sort of real estate mogul. Sestro details Wiseau’s explanation in his book but makes sure to tell the reader he doesn’t believe the story entirely. The best conspiracy theory is that Tommy Wiseau is actually DB Cooper, the only plane hijacker that has ever managed to get away with it. Wiseau denies this, but you can never tell with that man. Another explanation is that Wiseau got the money in a settlement. He claims to have been involved in a terrible car accident, and that’s what made him pursue his dreams of being in the film industry. Sestro also mentions that much of the crew thought that The Room was part of some larger money laundering scheme. The truth is, no one knows for sure.
There are many memes that came as a result of Tommy Wiseau’s The Room. In fact, just last year, James Franco directed and produced a film based on Sestro’s book, titled The Disaster Artist. Hollywood celebrities such as Dave Franco, Seth Rogan, Judd Apatow, and Nathan Fielder all had roles in the film. This just goes to show how well Wiseau captured audiences with his strange persona. Sure, The Room is an unintentionally hilarious movie. But To be honest, it’s more than that. The mystery always has me coming back, I always want to know more about Wiseau’s life and upbringing. I think there are some people you look at and wonder “What’s their story?” I get that vibe with Wiseau, only magnified about 100 times more.
If you haven’t experienced The Room, I highly recommend it. From there, I guarantee you will see The Disaster Artist and read Sestro’s book.
Link to the book: https://www.amazon.com/Disaster-Artist-Inside-Greatest-Movie/dp/1451661193
