Directed by Tim Burton

Ed Wood - Johnny Depp

my rating: B

In “Ed Wood”, Tim Burton paid homage to one of the most passionate, misunderstood, and crappy director that ever emerged from Hollywood. Very hard to believe considering all the crap that is currently coming out of Hollywood right now. But, nonetheless Ed Wood was the worst director and base on Tim Burton’s movie, I have to agree with that label. Before watching this movie, I have heard about the cult classics “Plan 9 from Outer Space” and “Bride of the Monster”, but I never knew the story behind these movies and the director who made them. That was what initially drew me to this movie – the life of the infamous Ed “Worst Director Ever” Wood.

“Greetings, my friend. You are interested in the unknown, the mysterious, the unexplainable... that is why you are here. So now, for the first time, we are bringing you the full story of what happened..” And the movie begins to explain the wacky world of Ed Wood. “Ed Wood” follows the story of Edward D. Wood, Jr. The movie begins when Ed Wood started making “Glen or Glenda”, the story of a transvestite. After being rejected by a major studio and ridiculed by everyone else, he still continued to raise money to make more movies. Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood” continues to tell his journey in discovering cult icons such as Tor Johnson and Bela Lugosi, making “Plan 9 from Outer Space” and finally finding love.

Tim Burton constructed a wonderful, touching story about passion and the love of creating movies while criticizing Hollywood as a money hungry machine. As a result, Ed Wood becomes the victim of Hollywood’s nature. Wood is portrayed as an upbeat, driven, optimistic individual, which makes it impossible not to care for him. Only if the major studio supported Wood, he may have become a successful director. Ed Wood had a vision, regardless how ridiculous it may have been. He had the passion and the love to tell any story. He just needed structure and support for his ideas. But, because Hollywood wants profit with very little risk, Ed Wood inevitably became the punchline of all the executives. This intricate story was beautifully put together by Tim Burton. The cinematography was amazing and the black and white film only added to the authenticity of the movie.

Johnny Depp is superb as the angora obsessed Ed Wood, portraying him as a man with an ineffable vision. Depp's Ed Wood is a man of such unquenchable optimism and self-belief that, given his actual achievements, it verges on the unhinged. He is often shown enthusiastically mouthing the words he has written along with the actors during the single take he allows for each scene, always ending with the inappropriate statement of encouragement, "that was perfect".

Martin Landau, who received an Academy Award for his characterisation of Bela Lugosi, is a revelation especially for those who previously knew him solely for his, hardly auspicious, part as Commander Koenig in 'Space 1999'. His Lugosi is proud and cranky, taking pleasure in working in movies again, forcing himself to overlook the circumstances enabling him to do so, but nevertheless plunging in with gusto. It is an absolutely uncanny piece of work that shows a loving attention to the details of gesture and vocal mannerism, and the Oscar given in recognition of it was a rare instance of the Academy actually doing the right thing.

Even through all of Ed Wood’s failure, he sees the bright light and it continues to drive him and make movies. After watching this movie, I have now the urge to see all of his awful movies and I will be renting all of his cult classics. Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood” turned him into an overlooked hero. Ed Wood was a lousy artist, but definitely a remarkable role-mode.

"Every man without passions has within him no principle of action, nor motive to act."
-- Claude A. Helvetius


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS