Best Friends: Volume 1

Best Friends: Volume 1 is an intriguing film directed by Justin MacGregor and released in 2018. The film serves as a captivating reunion for the cult-favorite duo Greg Sestero and Tommy Wiseau who are well-known from their roles in The Room - a film famously dubbed "the worst movie ever made".

Set against the ominous backdrop of the rugged American frontier, Best Friends: Volume 1 is a crime-thriller with dramatic and comedic elements painted over a canvas filled with mystery and intrigue. The film’s narrative is uniquely bifurcated - a deliberate structural choice that adds a new dimension to its storytelling potential.

Greg Sestero plays Jon Kortina, a drifter who is down on his luck, surviving day-to-day with an aimless agenda and bleak future in sight. His world takes a turn when he stumbles upon the eccentric Harvey Lewis, played by Tommy Wiseau. Harvey is an isolated and peculiar mortician who operates a run-down funeral home. The unusual friendship that stems between them lays the foundation for a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and redemption.

In his portrayal of Jon, Sestero exhibits a charming vulnerability, shifting his subtle internal struggles into strength to change his circumstances. Wiseau’s Harvey, on the other hand, radiates the comically eccentric and sometimes disturbing traits typically associated with the recluse he depicts. Their chemistry is an enthralling dynamic that keeps the audience hooked, because of (or in spite of) the lingering shadow of their past cinematic endeavor.

The film is powered by its peculiar premise and its rhythmically oscillating tonal shifts. Its unique storyline succinctly captures the bizarrely fascinating and sometimes surreal day-to-day realities of its lovable misfit characters, taking the audience through a whirlwind of emotion. It expertly builds moments that are equal parts introspective, poignant, and humorously off-beat.

The film's signature character-driven narrative and rich encapsulating settings immerses viewers in the gritty tone that amplifies the unfolding drama. From the deathly quiet mortuary over to the bustle of Los Angeles, the movie takes us on an engrossing journey in stark contrast to the manicured impressions we usually associate with the city of angels.

The film's soundtrack plays a significant role in enriching the audience's cinematic experience. The music choices become so intrinsically linked to the narrative that they almost function as characters in the film, bringing an impressive depth to the brilliant storytelling.

Best Friends: Volume 1 does not shy away from its deadpan humor and purposely bizarre storyline branching out from the nontraditional friendship between Jon and Harvey. This element of surprise and unpredictability is what keeps the viewers intrigued and invested. Audiences may find a sense of strangeness and curiosity mingling with feelings of suspense, anticipation, and humor, a testament to the film's narrative prowess and Sestero's intelligent script.

Often drenched in symbolic elements and subtexts, Best Friends: Volume 1 angles itself as a cinematic piece that's offered for broader interpretations. It makes a significant departure from Wiseau-Sestero's previous work, providing them the stage for a nuanced performance without losing sight of their quirky charm that has amassed them a cult following.

Despite the occasional nod to their infamous past collaboration, Best Friends: Volume 1 confidently carves its own path. It subverts expectations and invites the spectator to interpret and look beyond the surface-level encounter. It's a captivating genre blend that dances across the tightrope of the crime-thriller, dramatic and comedic genres, making it a truly unique cinematic journey for any viewer. In the end, it leaves audiences yearning for the second volume to find out what happens next - testament to the film's compelling storytelling.

The making of Best Friends: Volume 1 and the roles of Wiseau and Sestero in it showcases the true range of their talents and offers a fresh perspective on their ability to captivate audiences. Building an intriguing world of its own filled with compelling characters and engrossing narrative arcs, it's a film unlike anything you'd typically come across in the realms of Hollywood.