For another one of my London weekenders this month, I headed into the city for a live cinema experience at the Prince Charles Cinema near Leicester Square. It was part of my present for Josh’s birthday because you see, this is one of his favourite films – The Room.
Now this feels like a VERY niche blog post. Because The Room is a VERY niche film. So I’ll start by telling you a bit about this film before I go any further.
The Room is often voted one of the best BAD movies ever. On first glance it’s terrible. It makes no sense, it has bad acting and a ridiculous storyline and sex scenes that are too long… It’s like, how on earth did this movie get made?! (Sidebar: The film was funded by Tommy Wiseau, the director, producer, actor and all-round star of this show). But it’s also hilarious. And it’s built such a cult following that it now has cinema screenings with audience participation. You know, kinda like Rocky Horror?
So off we went to the Prince Charles Cinema for the screening. And the venue was pretty neat, an intimate little cinema and you can buy beers on your way in – always a plus.
But this screening in particular was special because the man, the myth, the legend, Tommy Wiseau was there! He had a Q&A sesh at the beginning which was pure genius as the audience fired questions at him on stage and he gave his typical weird and hilarious responses. He then spent the rest of the evening manning the T-shirt stand and offering photos to anyone who bought merchandise. Obvs.
Once the film started, the audience was hyped up and the atmosphere was amazing. Everyone laughed the whole way through the film, shouted at the screen, threw plastic spoons and quoted the best lines. I would totally recommend going to one of these, even if it’s not The Room, I suspect they’re all this pumped. If Prince Charles Cinema are showing your fave film, for sure give it a go.
But if you DO see The Room, here’s what you need to know before you go…
Rules For Watching The Room Live
1) Throw plastic spoons.
Why? Because in the apartment the film is set in, there are photo frames all around with pictures of – you guessed it – spoons. Apparently this was the photo already in the frame when they bought the props and they never thought to replace them…
When? Every time these photo frames of spoons are on the screen! And not just the odd spoon. Like loads of them. Come prepared with a full pack, guys.
2) Shout “Meanwhile in San Francisco”
When? Every time the filler shots of San Fran are on the screen. There’s a lot of them and they’re way too long.
Why? The film is meant to be set in San Francisco but was filmed in LA. So the incredible amount of filler scenes of iconic SF landmarks and the colourful houses and random shots of Tommy walking through the city are meant to make up for it.
3) Shout “Go, go, go, go!”
When? Every time you see the sweeping shots of the Golden Gate bridge in the aforementioned filler scenes.
Why? Because they are ridiculous shots that sweep across the bridge for one end to the other. You shout ‘go’ the entire time and cheer when they get to the end. One of these scenes is like 5 seconds long, it’s so mental.
4) Get grossed out by Lisa’s weird neck.
When? There’s one particular scene where Lisa is sitting in an armchair talking to her mother and her neck does a weird AF thing. You need to see it to understand.
Why? Because it’s gross. Apparently Tommy made her sit at a weird angle.
5) Laugh at the sex scenes.
When? All of them. There are like 4 in the first 10 minutes of the film.
Why? Because they’re icky and the guy always looks like he’s having sex with her belly button. Viewers often shout something like this. Also, they re-use scenes from the first sex scene between Tommy and Lisa in the second sex scene and it isn’t subtle. Lolz.
6) Shout “Who the fuck are you?”
When? Every time a character enters that wasn’t in the first 20 minutes of the film.
Why? The film does NOT introduce characters at all, they just turn up and say things and so you say it how it is – who the fuck are you, mate?
7) Shout “Because you’re a woman!”
When? Every time Lisa says something misogynistic and ridiculous.
Why? Lisa is not a feminist. She thinks Tommy should provide for her and puts emphasis on staying with him because he’s going to get a promotion at work. But don’t worry, shouting this isn’t anti-feminist, you’re shouting it because Tommy apparently thinks that’s what a woman is in The Room. It’s a poke at the movie’s casual misogyny.
8) Sing the Mission Impossible theme tune
When? When Tommy is putting a recording device on the phone.
Why? Because it’s such a silly scene that’s way too long and unnecessary.
9) Count football throws
When? Every time someone throws a football.
Why? Just for fun. There’s a lot of football throwing in this film. Apparently that’s when guys talk.
10) Shout “Cancer”
When? Whenever Lisa’s mother is on screen.
Why? Because she has a weird cancer plot line that has nothing to do with the rest of the film. I can’t say I liked this one as it’s pretty brutal!
11) Quote the best lines along with the film!
Why? Because they’re awesome.
When? Some of the biggest ones are:
- You’re tearing me apart, Lisa!
- I did not hit her, I did not. Oh, hi Mark!
- Hi doggy!
- Cheeeeeep, cheep cheep cheep cheep, cheep cheeeeeeeeep!
- If a lot of people love each other, the world would be a better place to live.
- Anyway, how’s your sex life?
There’s loads more, so enjoy!
Have you seen The Room? Would you go to an event like this?
Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @HeelsInBackpack!
