Ed Wood

The Worst Filmmaker Ever

Most of Tim Burton's films are extremely uncontrolled. So much so, that the case could be made for Burton's passion overtaking his control in the same fashion of Edward W. Wood, Jr., the subject of this 1994 film. Ed Wood is known today as the worst filmmaker ever, but regarded in some circles affectionately. Burton's biopic of the 1950's director is within the realm of affectionate undertaking, possibly because Burton saw his own faulty briskness within the films of Ed Wood. Wood would occasionally take only a single take for a scene, would forget simple things like if the scene is set in day or night, and other such "minor details". Burton's film exhibits Wood as a likable weirdo. Obsessed with films, possessing a goofy smile and a tendency to try on women's clothes, Wood (played wonderfully by Burton's frequent collaborator Johnny Depp) thinks of himself as a sort of Orson Welles-esque filmmaker: working towards a vision because of his passion. Wood's obstacles are many. For one thing, he's a terrible filmmaker, so it's hard to be able to make film. Luckily, Wood discovers an aged, drug-addicted Bela Lugosi and is able to use the star power of his friend to coast through films. Wood often also casts sons of contributors to the film, and even gets a group baptism in able to fund another schlocky pic. Within ED WOOD, there's a control by Burton. The eccentricities are not so ridiculous as in his other films, and yet the affection towards other people / characters is present. The cinematography is a brilliant, nostalgic black and white, and Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi is frequently brilliant. Furthermore, Burton manages to create an affectionate biopic without ever falling into his usual pitfalls. Strangely though, Burton avoids these almost as if he's learning after Ed Wood himself...but then goes on to make, oh, WILLY WONKA.
Ed Wood: ★★★1/2