rating:
(out of
4 stars)United States; 1994
Directed by Tim Burton; produced by Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi; screenplay by Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Starring Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, Jeffrey Jones, Vindent D'Onofrio, Bill Murray
Below you will find a temporary review for this film. The real (better, more complete) review will be online very soon.
'Ed Wood' is a delightful movie that celebrates the life of Edward D. Wood
Jr., the man who was named worst director of all time. Having seen his 'Glen
or Glenda' and 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' I think in a way he really is the
worst, but therefore his films are enjoyable, something that can not be said
about some films from better directors ('Jack' from Francis Ford Coppola
comes to mind). Here is the story of a man who loved what he did, even if he
wasn't any good, and instead of mocking him Tim Burton honors him and his
enthusiasm.
Ed Wood is played by Johnny Depp and this is his best movie that comes from
a collaboration with Burton. 'Edward Scissorhands', 'Sleepy Hollow' and
'Corpse Bride' are not the worst films ever made, but in 'Ed Wood' they do
everything the right way. Here Depp does what he has done so many times in
his movies; making you forget you're watching an actor. I believed him from
the very first moments. The story has its focus on the friendship between Ed
Wood and Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau), the actor who famously portrayed
Dracula in Tod Browning's movie from 1931, but ended up as a drug addict and
a B-actor in Wood's films. Landau's performance is wonderful.
We follow Wood trying to get money for his films, we see him writing and
directing his films (he is happy with every first take he shoots), we see
him as an openly transvestite, we see him together with Lugosi who is slowly
destroying himself, we see him with Dolores Fuller (Sarah Jessica Parker)
and Kathy O'Hara (Patricia Arquette), the women in his life. There is also a
moment where Wood sees Orson Welles and wants to talk with him. Vincent
D'Onofrio and especially the voice of Maurice LaMarche create such a perfect
Welles and together with Depp, who is in women clothes at the time, they
give us the best scene in the film. Burton shows all these events in black
and white in a way that gives the film a look as if it was made in the time
Wood was working.
'Ed Wood' shows the worst director ever and admires his way of thinking, his
enthusiasm. 'Ed Wood' also shows a great director, Tim Burton, who has made
a film about a bad director and an actor who only played one memorable role.
This is a terrific film.