Tim Burton's best film, and possibly his most personal.

Rating: 10/10 (3 December 2007)

I loved Tim Burton's early films; EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, BATMAN, BEETLEJUICE and hell, even FRANKENWEENIE. However, his efforts lately has been rather unsatisfying. BIG FISH was a welcome exception, but SLEEPY HOLLOW and PLANET OF THE APES were rather dull and formulaic. APES, even more so, especially considering the awesome 1968 original (by Franklin Schaffner). In my opinion (and mine alone), Burton's best film was also one of his biggest financial duds at the box office; ED WOOD (ironic, considering the film is a biopic of a dismally unsuccessful film-maker). But ED as a movie (it's NOT a terribly accurate biographical account) is a cheesy voyage to the bottom of bad movies and the people who make them. The film takes some liberties with the true tale of Edward D. Wood Jr., a hack '50s director whose 'masterpieces' include JAIL BAIT, GLEN OR GLENDA (a surreal crap-fest about transvestites), BRIDE OF THE MONSTER and the infamous PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (despite its "worst film ever" reputation, there ARE worse; Phil Tucker's ROBOT MONSTER for example). ED WOOD chronicles a roughly 5 yr. span (1953-8) in Wood's strange, tragically short life (he died in 1978 at age 54). During this period, he churned out three of the aforementioned 'classics.' In his portrayal of Wood, Johnny Depp really owns this movie. His performance is a deft blend of child-like optimism, coupled with a cynical, con-man's cunning. Forget the PIRATES franchise, THIS is Depp's best. Sarah Jessica Parker (purposefully overacting just a bit, which works well for this film) plays Delores Fuller; Wood's long-suffering girlfriend, who eventually leaves him for a "normal life" writing Elvis tunes. Patricia Arquette plays Wood's replacement girlfriend and soon-to-be long-suffering wife, Kathy. But the most poignant relationship in the film is the eccentric, father-son bond that develops between Wood and his "star;" drug-addled, washed-up "ex-boogieman" Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau in a deserved Oscar-winning role). Their relationship echoes Tim Burton's own real-life collaboration with the late Vincent Price. It's one of the many reasons that of all of Burton's films, this one feels the most personal (even more so than SCISSORHANDS). And the gorgeous black and white photography effortlessly evokes '50s B-movies (or in this case Z-movies). Many good performances round out the film (Bill Murray excels as aging drag queen, John "Bunny" Breckinridge, in what could easily have been a jokey, one-note role). But the film is at its best when the focus is on Wood and Lugosi. In this romanticized version of Ed Wood's life, Wood gives Lugosi's final, declining years a real sense of purpose. In return, Lugosi gives Wood fatherly love; prompting Wood to become the doting son during the worst of Lugosi's manic fits of depression and addiction. In fact, the shifty, manipulative Wood only seems truly sincere and honest when interacting with Lugosi. When the aging actor finally dies (after decades of drug abuse), Wood relives their final scenes shot together (in an heartbreaking scene) to the strains of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Far greater artistry is employed in this film than Wood himself could have ever conceived of; let alone for his OWN biopic! Even composer Howard Shore's evocative, '50s sci-fi inspired musical score is pitch perfect (right down to the use of bongo drums and the electronic theramin). ED WOOD also echoes earlier Tim Burton characters; from Scissorhands (a character unable to physically connect with people because of his 'design flaw') to NIGHTMARE BEFORE Christmas' Jack Skellington (a good-natured, graceful, living skeleton who attempts to play Santa Claus; easily my favorite holiday film). The tale of the misunderstood misfit who attempts to achieve something utterly beyond his grasp (be it physical closeness, Christmas magic, or in Wood's case, making decent films). ED WOOD is the perfect distillation of this theme. Failure after failure, the boyishly optimistic Wood keeps pulling himself up, time and time again; undeterred by his overpowering limitations. Tim Burton, with all the skill and natural talent (at this phase of his career, anyway) his subject so desperately lacked, tells this story as a personal, humorous and ultimately, loving tribute to all those who continually strive to achieve that which is beyond their reach. From that strife, in murky water with malfunctioning prop octopuses, is where the story of ED WOOD lives.