The People’s Review X: The Room

The people’s critic appreciates a good drama. This film has it all: Relationships, battles with drug use and gangs, pregnancy, cheating, cancer, suicide and Tommy Wiseau. Yet the film is poisoned by a thinly veiled attempt at capitalist propaganda. The result is what is termed a black comedy.

The film centers on the relationship between Johnny and Lisa. Johnny is a hard working member of the proletariat. He supports his friends in every way imaginable through his tireless work. His bourgeois girlfriend lives a life of luxury on the fruits of his labor. She proceeds to complete a cruel plan of events for Johnny. It all starts with Johnny’s best friend, Mark. As Mark is want to tell, he is Johnny’s best friend, but Lisa looks really good in a red dress. Mark is powerless to resist the bourgeois silver tongue. Lisa then gets Johnny inebriated with alcohol and after he passes out, makes allegations of abuse to discredit Johnny. He is quite torn up about it.

Meanwhile, Denny is a young man that Johnny has scooped up off the streets to take care of and turn into a fine member of the proletariat. Unfortunately, Chris R is a menacing capitalist drug dealer. Chris R manages to get Denny in debt to him, thereby justifying him coming over and pistol whipping Denny for his own gluttonous pleasure. Johnny and his best friend Mark manage to arrive just in time to save Denny and show Chris R the door, never to return. Lisa and her mother are very shocked, and ask what the hell is wrong with you, Denny, but Denny doesn’t know.

Also meanwhile, Lisa’s mother visits to inform her that the results were in, and she definitely has cancer. As unfortunate news as this is, Lisa is capitalist to the core and her narcissism prevents her mother from getting the support she needs. While this is going on, the gang’s psychologist friend Peter tries to guide Mark away only to be rebuffed. After a fall in an ally, it is assumed he gets gangrene and dies, never to be seen again. Peter is clearly another victim of the capitalist health care system.

Lisa’s plotting continues as she tells him that she is pregnant, lifting his spirits. At this peak, Lisa crushes him when Johnny learns that Lisa is cheating when he overhears her talking. At Johnny’s birthday party, tensions reach a climax as Lisa shamelessly flaunts the affair in Johnny’s face as only a cold hearted capitalist could. Johnny attacks his best friend Mark and retreats to his bathroom in shame. Lisa leaves and Johnny listens to his illegal wiretapping operation, confirming his suspicions. With Lisa’s plan complete, Johnny loses control and destroys his apartment before killing himself in despair. Johnny could not cope in this capitalist society any longer.

Ratings:

Capitalist Slant: 6/10 While the arch Capitalist Lisa is successful, her methods are apparently dispicable.

Beauty of Lisa in a red dress: 10/10 Lisa looks great in a red dress.

People's Recommendation: Watch this classic of American black comedy to learn the perils of being a best friend.