Something different, BEST F(R)IENDS. a two film release that couples volume 1 that was released 2017 with volume 2 released in 2018 on a Blu-ray release. It’s a comedy featuring Tommy Wiseau (the subject of the zany film The Room and the recent parody called The Disaster Artist) who pairs with Greg Sestero in this also zany film that follows the two through a maze of Los Angeles blunders. And, it’s based on true events. Hmm.
In the first volume we find the two getting together in a very strange way. But, let’s not get too far ahead of the story or give away a lot of the plot for that matter. So we’ll just stick with the introduction and maybe a bit more to wet your whistle.
Jon Kortina (Greg Sestero) ends up in Los Angeles, California having been a homeless vagabond who dups people to survive. While walking down a back street he spies Harvey Lewis (Tommy Wiseau) trying to lift a casket out of the back of his hearse. Harvey spots the guy dressed in worn clothes and asks him to help with getting the casket into a room of his body preparation business. The two strike up a conversation and Harvey offers him a job. So begins an oddball relationship that leads the two on a new business that makes them a lot of money. Good start, right?
In this volume we meet Traci (Kristen StempiensonPino) Jon’s squeeze, Rick (Rick Edwards) a nervous buyer of gold teeth, and an Officer (Patrick Greene), well you may be getting the drift. Well it’s not all easy going especially since the business they are in takes the two into dangerous territory. By this I mean dealing with people who aren’t very nice.
After a lot of wacky dealings and predicaments the story ends with a cliff hanger ending volume 1. We are not treated to volume 2 of BEST F(R)IENDS. Here it starts to get complicated with several chaotic scenes that if you are not laughing, you are probably scratching your head wondering where this is going. But, stick with it as it gets even weirder.
Just like a continuing TV show, Volume 2 starts out with “Previously in the F(R)IENDSHIP…and we find Jon and Traci entering Harvey’s apartment with flashbacks of the Volume 1 finale. In this scene Jon finds himself handcuffed to a bed with a mysterious person watching over him. The mystery continues from there as Jon and Traci try to get away with murder, or so they think.
Well, now you know what it’s about, but if you are a film buff you will notice that he dialogue is delivered as if Wiseau is reading off of cue cards. Well that’s his character, but I’m not a big fan of films that play out this way as to me they come off cold and lifeless. I do get it however, it’s part of the comedy angle. The expectation here is that people watching will think it’s corny and silly and laugh at every line of script. Right? Um, I’d be untruthful if I told you it was a good ploy, but I can’t without smiling.
BLU-RAY/DIGITAL SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary with Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero
“Welcome to My Paradise” Featurette- it shows how they filmed the movie, especially the lab scenes.
“Tommy and Greg: Best F(r)iends Forever” Featurette- shows how the two bonded during filming
“The Tommy Diaries” Featurette- Tommy shows snippets in a videography taken from cameramen who shot them during filming
“Uncle Rick” Rick Edwards picks out some of the raw footage from while he was acting. It’s a bit funny risque
“8 Deleted Scenes”
The films have been rated R by the MPAA for language throughout, violence and some sexual references.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An unusual film that’s a little overboard on trying to make it “unique”. (3 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Greg Sestero, Tommy Wiseau, Kristin StephensonPino, Rick Edwards, Vince Jolivette, R. J. Cantu, Patrick Greene, Geroge Killingsworth
Director: Justin MacGregor
Writer: Greg Sestero
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, violence and some sexual references
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Running Time: Vol. 1 runs 1 hr. 48 min. and Vol. 2 runs 2 hrs.
Video Release Date: January 22, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: Vol.1 September 30, 2017, Vol. 2 June 1, 2018
Language: English (changeable to Spanish)
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: English Dolby Digital Audio 5.1
Video: 16×9 Widescreen, 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Traditional Chinese, Thai, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polisn, Russian, Castilian, Turkish, and Korean
Number of Discs: 2 discs + digital code (both volumes one box)
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released in: Blu-ray and Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
