Johnny Depp and Martin Landau shine atop this stellar cast

Rating: 9/10 (5 October 2005)

After fashioning the stylistic achievements of "Batman", and "Edward Scissorhands", Tim Burton is directing a true subtle gem in "Ed Wood," opting for substance over style while plumbing the depths of "the worst director of all time." But what-a-minute? If Wood was such a bad director why do Midnight screenings of double-bills -- "Plan 9 from Outer Space" and "Glen or Glenda", sell-out today? Burton seeks the answer by giving the viewer a look behind the man and the rag-tag group of devotees he leads. And who better to play the man than Johnny Depp. Fresh off his work with Burton on "Edward Scissorhands," Depp continues to show through his undercharged brand of acting that he is truly destined for greater things. He plays Wood as the arch-typical gee-whiz nice guy who at any moment could come undone from the unvented personalities floating inside him who demand an audience. Is it any shock that this man should become a director; projecting that need to draw from people something that may be unknown to even them? He is the Sunday-Morning garage sale hunter looking for treasure among junk. The people he collects don't understand his vision but trust him implicitly. Leading this group is Martin Laundau playing Bela Lugosi which such ferocity he seems to be channeling him. I have never met Bela Lugosi, but I am convinced that if I had I would of met a washed-up actor addled by drug abuse and embittered by the Hollywood's throw-away style of handling old actors. Wood cannot help but gush when meeting Lugosi for the first time and continues to treat him as a legend throughout their relationship. Does Lugosi continue to help in Wood's endeavors for the money or the adulation? The talent does not end with Landau and Depp. This talented cast produce standout performances: Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, Bill Murray, Mike Starr, and Jeffrey Jones are never unbelievable in their pursuit of Silver Screen immortality. Put all these personalities together in the struggle to make movies and "Ed Wood" never lets the viewer down.