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Rated: R (USA) minor language & minor IV drug use, age 12 most everywhere else.
***1/2 of ****
Length: 126 minutes
Credits:
Writers:
Rudolph Grey (book)
Scott Alexander (screenplay) &
Larry Karaszewski (screenplay)
Director: Tim Burton
Cast:
Johnny Depp: Edward D. Wood, Jr.
Martin Landau: Bela Lugosi
Sarah Jessica Parker: Dolores Fuller
Patricia Arquette: Kathy O'Hara
Jeffrey Jones: Criswell
Bill Murray: Bunny Breckenridge
Lisa Marie: Vampira
This is a good film about the worst filmmaker of all time. This movie tells the story of the beginning of Edward D. Wood, Jr.'s career. This comedic and unusual story is not fiction, it is the true story of the unchallenged worst movie director of all time. Ed Wood was the creator of Glen or Glenda? (1953), Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959), and several others. This movie takes place during the time period in which these two ultra low budget films were made. Ed Wood's friendship with Bela Lugosi is shown as a sustaining force in maintaining drive for both people. Martin Landau won Best Supporting Actor for Oscar, Golden Globes, and the National Society of Film Critics for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi. The enthusiasm of Ed Wood enamored a crew of misfits, shades of G. Bush, that continued to work on his many projects.
Review:
Director Tim Burton's Ed Wood is a witty and enjoyable telling of a true story. It was a wise choice artistically to film this in black and white because it helps set the mood. The people who shied away because of the lack of color probably wouldn't have appreciated the story as much. Ed Wood could be taken as an object lesson in how and why not to create a film. The events and people once set in motion, take on a believable life of their own.
The moving part of the film is seen with his new friend Bela Lugosi. Bela Lugosi is a former major film star with who maintains pride in his will to do the job well. The contrast between Wood and Lugosi shows the young Wood to have energy with no talent, and the morphine addicted aging Lugosi to be limited in energy, but ripe with talent. This makes to accentuate their individual traits and make the story good.
Johnny Depp plays Ed Wood as an energetic, unyielding and warped visionary of low budget film. Depp's portrayal is strong and consistent, and leaves you feeling sorry for this angora obsessed bundle of clueless enthusiasm. His performance makes for an effective characterism. The transvestite aspect of Ed Wood is some what in the background much of the time and only shows up to highlight his contagious optimism. Spinach is to Popeye as angora is to Ed Wood.
Martin Landau is terrific as Bela Lugosi, and the makeup artist adds to this effect. Lugosi's passion for performance art is shown well as he tries to hold his life together. Landau does a good job of balancing Lugosi's dependence on Wood while remaining independent in will.
Ed Wood's first girlfriend Dolores, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, does a great job of standing by her man, and keeping her mouth tightly yet barely shut about how unbelievably bad his work is.
The interesting cast of characters is played well in support of Wood's doomed productions.
The score by Howard Shore was appropriate for this movie in both its style and force.
This is an uplifting good comedic film about a figure that is of historical significance only for being such a failure. In ways, there are some deep statements made here.
Additional Information:
Plan 9 From Outer Space never did play well in Hollywood. It is considered to be the worst film ever made.
Ed Wood remained obscure while alive. A cult following grew around his exceptionally poor film work a few years after he died in 1978.
Soundtrack:
BUNNY HOP - Performed by John Keating
SPRING FASHION -
SWEET AND LOVELY -
KUBA MAMBO - Written and Performed by Perez Prado
QUE SERA SERA - (WHATEVER WILL BE, WILL BE)
NAUTCH DANCE - Written, arranged and performed by Korla Pandit
GRIP OF THE LAW -
SERINGA -
DESOLATE VILLAGE -
LASST UNS ERFREUEN (ALL CREATURES OF GOD AND KING) -
--"Wood Productions, the mark of quality."--