'Cut, perfect!'

Rating: 10/10 (12 March 2005)

'Ed Wood' is definitely Burtons most personal, and perhaps best film. A labour of love for him, as a huge fan of the real Ed Wood, Burton set out to make a film that acted as many things at once; a biopic, a romance (not in the most likely fashion and in more than one way), a comedy and a drama. He succeeded on all counts.
'Ed Wood' tells the story of the man who was voted officially to be the 'worst director of all time'. Johnny Depp gives a career defining, painstakingly accurate and sympathetic performance in the title role, taking the audience with him as he goes from one film to another. Starting with 'Glenn or Glenda?' (Wood's first film), followed by horror 'Bride of the Atom', then through to the fantastically inept, most famous 'bad movie' ever; 'Plan 9 From Outer Space'. All the way through remaining enthusiastically optimistic, upbeat, and indefatigable.
The film is technically efficient also, though the by far the best and most memorable aspect of the film is the performances. Depp's may be excellent, but it is the Oscar winning Martin Landau as the now down and out former horror star Bela Lugosi who steals the show; presenting a complex, yet accessible character study. Landau conveys both spirited humour and tragic regret perfectly. His friendship with Depp's Wood is both touching and also often depressingly dependant. Wood's documented transvestism is handled in a way that stops it being in the least bit odd or unusual, and simply deepens your relationship and sympathy for Wood, already an endearing character.
The photography is superior also, and the choice to film in black and white was both commendable and extremely brave in relation to expected audience response. To question whether or not it would have been any different if in colour is both unnecessary and missing the point entirely.
'Artistic license' is often used in films such as this to a great degree. 'Ed Wood', however, stays very faithful to the facts, altering only minor details, yet in doing so also forms a much better rounded and amiable story.
Filled with many memorable scenes, not least of which being Wood's incidental meeting with Orson Welles in a bar (a brief but astonishingly accurate portrayal by Vincent D'Onofrio), a first class screenplay, and performances to which may be the standout's of both Depp and Landau's career.
Ed Wood is perhaps the perfect example of a biopic, as well as a very accomplished drama/comedy/romance. If you have never seen it, see it now.