The Room

'The Room' (Wiseau, 2003) is a widely known film within the industry yet for the wrong reasons. It is named one of the worst films for it's narrative, acting, continuity and overall sub-plots. This could be down to the film being an independent with Tommy Wiseau producing, writing, directing and staring in the film.

This film made me realise that the films we watch and enjoy, are the ones we take for granted with us not concentrating on every shot and narrative involved because they are so fluent and natural with the continuity. When actually the film-makers have to plan out each shot and character's back story and characteristics, portraying relatable human reactions and situations. They also carry out the subplots and have a meaning to everything shown on screen. This is something that this film 'The Room' widely lacks.

The Room has many subplots which enter and exit the film narrative within minutes, such as this scene where a gunman is attacking Denny, Johnny's adopted boy, for a drug related reason. The narrative never follows this situation up.

The whole film is written to make Johnny seem like the most caring guy ever, with his daily romance to his 'future wife', taking in a innocent boy, all his friends and work colleagues admiring him, a successful banker and with everyone taking advantage of him to make us feel sorry for him. When Wiseau was writing this film, the subplots involved may have been more suitable for a serial or series for the Television, as Wiseau seemed to want to explore a range of ideas and story lines which can't be portrayed well with conclusions in a hour an a half long film.


Other examples of unplanned subplots include why Johnny has taken on Denny and the mentality of Denny as he is sleeping with girls yet doesn't understand what Johnny and Lisa's intentions are when he joins them in a steamy pillow fight on their bed.

The long sex scenes are very cringe worthy to watch also as they are long cuts consisting of a long scene, always with a rose involved for some reason.

Lastly, when the Johnny's best friend and Lisa have been on the phone to one another, he suddenly pulls out a voice recorder tape which we as an audience never see until this moment, not really following Johnny's story as we are continuously disconnected from his actions and emotions and I felt more attached to the 'future wife' character.