Imagine that you’re in Los Angeles, movie capital of the world, ready to take in a midnight showing of that week’s massive box office attraction. Upon arrival you’re greeted by a throng of other movie goers waiting patiently in line for their own midnight showing. But these cinema fans are not there for the latest Michael Bay explosion-fest. They're anxiously awaiting what is widely regarded as the worst movie ever put to celluloid. They're there to see The Room.
Never heard of it, have you? The Room is the vision of writer/director/actor Tommy Wisesau, an enigmatic gentlemen of mysterious origin. On the surface, Wisesau’s film is on par with a direct-to-Cinemax feature (groan-inducing sex scenes included), but its failed execution has made The Room infamous.
This article appears in Jan 20-26, 2010.