Ed Wood (1994)

Laugh the first time, cry the tenth.

Ed Wood is based on the life and work of Edward D. Wood Jr, who has been perhaps both saddled and blessed with the title of Worst Director of All Time. Filmed entirely in black and white it both mirrors Wood's own work and draws humor from it. The result is one of my favorite films of all time.
The first time I watched it I spent most of the movie laughing at everything from the bad props, to the poor scripts, to Depp's even-more-optomistic-then-Spongebob portrayal of Wood, but with subsequent viewings I have come to see the sadder side of the story; Wood's failure to find success and stardom, Legosi's fall from grace and struggles with drug addiction, and the rag tag band of partners that would all share their exploits. It tells the tale of all those left in Hollywood's dustbin.
Burton splits that finest hair between tragedy and comedy in a manner that is somehow both satirical and loving. In the end either way, it always brings tears to my eyes; sometimes they're tears of laughter, sometimes they're ones of sympathy. November 22, 2008

Ed Wood

My husband read a book about this gentlemans life and was interested. The times as they were talked about was there and can be experienced by every one who sees this movie. The faith of a mustard seed. J.A.Harris October 21, 2008

Tragicomic

This is a sensitive film about human fallibility amazingly done up in the guise of a comedy. Johnny Depp's Ed Wood's is terrific. He plays a miserably flawed and totally deluded man...He plays him with sympathy and some understanding. It would have been easier, no doubt, to have played him as a vainglorious fool, but the director and producer decided on a more complex character. Woods is a man totally, and mistakenly, convinced of his artistic excellence. He is so convinced in himself that he is able to convince others to invest in his ideas of cinematic art. He produces junk, but what junk it is. I have just finished watching 'Plan 9 from Outer Space', Wood's masterpiece. It is too easy to say that it is 'so bad it's good.' The fact is, with all it's funky sets, ridiculous special effects, miserable acting and over-the-top jokes, it actually is good...especially if you've had half a dozen beers. I have very little doubt that, in 'Plan 9', Woods deliberately produced a satire on science fiction films and, more importantly, on foolish public attitudes that cause people to BELIEVE in flying saucers.

As such, 'Plan 9' is a down-at-the-mouth 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' and I have little doubt that the producers of 'Rocky' drew on this film for weird inspiration.

All the characters in "Ed Woods' are great, especially Martin Landau as the pitiful, heroin abusing Bela Lugosi. Landau is Lugosi. Seldom has an actor owned a role as thoroughly as this one. Woods, who in the movie, establishes a genuine relationship with Lugosi, tries to help him by giving him parts in ridiculous films [except that Woods doesn't know they're ridiculous]. Lugosi, as a 'big' name actor becomes Woods major playing card in his eternal search for investors and viewers. Unfortunately, it's late in the game and Lugosi dies during the filming of Wood's Magnum Opus 'Plan 9'. Not to worry. Woods substitutes him with a double who hides his false identity by slouching around the set with his black cape held up to his eyes. No kidding, I just watched 'Plan 9' and Woods really did this.

Ron Braithwaite author of novels--'Skull Rack' and 'Hummingbird God'--on the Conquest of Mexico August 19, 2008

The best movie ever made about the worst movies ever made...

It's taken me a while, but I can finally agree that Johnny Depp is one of our finest working actors. Now that I've been able to explore his earlier work I can truly understand why the world in general loves him so much. I just remember back in 2003 when `Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl' was released and everyone started praising Johnny Depp as the greatest actor on the planet and he finally received his first Oscar nomination, and then the following year he did `Finding Neverland' and yet again the world went crazy and he got yet another nomination, and then he did `Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street' and regardless of the fact that his singing voice is below standard he garnered himself yet another Oscar nomination. Looking at it all I thought to myself `really, this is who they love'? Up until that point the only other films I had seen from Depp were some of Burton's less successful films like `Sleepy Hollow', none ever sporting a necessarily grand or impressive performance from Depp. Yes, his creation of Jack Sparrow was iconic and deserved of the praise and admiration, and maybe even that Oscar nomination, but it alone should not have garnered him instant idolization.

Then a few months ago I saw `Edward Scissorhands' and I was smitten with Johnny's performance. There was this rawness about him, this genuine charm and appeal. Then about a week ago I saw `Benny and Joon' and was blown away by Depp's depth of character. Intrigued and stimulated I sought out more Depp, like `What's Eating Gilbert Grape' and yet again was left speechless at Depp's precision and grace. Why was he not embraced for his earlier, grander performances?

This brings me to `Ed Wood', the most recent Depp film I was able to get my hands on. Quite honestly I feel that this may be not only Depp's grandest performance, but it may be his best film (and Burton's best respectively). Telling the story of the most famous `bad' director in Tinseltown, `Ed Wood' chronicles the working life of Edward D. Wood Jr.; a cross-dressing director longing to follow in the footsteps of Orson Welles. Wood longs to create films but he lacks the financial support. His plays are critical flops and his ideas and methods are a bit strange and unconventional, but after a chance meeting with famed actor Bela Lugosi, Wood finally has an edge.

Edward D. Wood Jr. has reached cult fame for his productions of `Plan 9 from Outer Space' and `Glen or Glenda' and both of those films are explored and recreated in this Burton classic. Tim Burton and his cast really capture the spirit of 50's film; the finished product itself plays out almost like a 50's sitcom. The performances by the entire cast are rich with charisma and charm, especially that of Depp and Landau. Johnny Depp embodies Wood's deep-seated naivety and drive to succeed regardless of the costs. He had a vision, and even if it was diluted with incompetence it was his vision and he was going to see it come to cultivation. His character reminded me of a restrained version of his Willy Wonka character, or should I saw that Willy Wonka is a less controlled version of Ed Wood. Landau blows everyone away here though, even Depp. His portrayal of a washed up actor longing to be as loved as he once was is as heartbreaking as it is amusing. Landau won that well deserved Oscar (I personally would have went with Samuel L. Jackson, but Landau is a very close second for me) and truly shines brightly in this very impressive film.

The rest of the cast is magic as well, everyone from Sarah Jessica Parker to the always amazing Bill Murray to Jeffrey Jones and Patricia Arquette making an impression on the viewer. There's even a neat little cameo by Vincent D'Onofrio (vocally dubbed of course) as Orson Welles towards the end of the film.

Like Edward D. Wood Jr., Tim Burton has a vision, and what I appreciate about Burton is that he always stays true to his vision. Sure, his gothic type roots are not as prevalent in this picture as in `Edward Scissorhands' or `Sweeney Todd' but the air and spirit, his soul and drive are seen throughout this film. This is Burton at his finest, for instead of relying on props and visuals he draws deeply from within himself to pay tribute to not only the worst director of all time but quite possibly of one the greatest inspirations for aspiring directors today. Sure he was no Welles (one of the greatest cinematic minds of all time) but his story is inspiring, intriguing and extremely entertaining. June 24, 2008

Ed Wood (Special Edition)

It was a good movie that I loved. Tim Burton's style of directing is great. June 18, 2008

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