Tim Burton's Most Personal Film

Rating: Null/10 (28 June 2000)

"Ed Wood" is a film, shot entirely in black and white, about the infamous film director who is frequently credited as being the worst director ever. Of course the film is quirky and funny, but also very serious and dramatic in some areas. The film takes place in the 1950s when Wood is trying to make his name in Hollywood by comparing himself to Orson Welles (both being writers-producers-directors). The fact that they have the same career is about the only real similarity. Wood is trying to make it big and enlists the help of the aged, washed-up Bela Lugosi (played to the paramount by Oscar-winning Martin Landau). In spite of the failures Lugosi stays behind Wood and they develop a very close friendship. Wood's strangeness is depicted in the fact that he rarely takes more than one take on a scene, regardless of what happens during that scene. He is also odd because he likes to dress in women's clothes. In a funny yet sad scene near the end Wood declares that "Plan 9 From Outer Space" will be the film that he is remembered for. He is right. However, it is an awful film from a man who may have been too ambitious to make it in Hollywood. In many respects, "Ed Wood" is a modern day masterpiece, a poor man's "Citizen Kane" or "Raging Bull". All deal with men who want to be great but always seem to miss the mark somehow. Tim Burton's direction is gloomy and you can see how much he feels for this man who never accomplished his goals in the cinema. The screenplay is sharp and Johnny Depp is unforgettable in the title role. The supporting cast is also a real joy to behold. Patricia Arquette, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeffrey Jones, and Bill Murray all add great elements of comedy and drama to this fine motion picture. 4.5 out of 5 stars.