Review 3: Ed Wood

Ed Wood (1994)

Director: Tim Burton
Cast:
Johnny Depp - Ed Wood
Martin Landau - Bela Lugosi
Sarah Jessica Parker - Dolores Fuller
Patricia Arquette - Kathy O'Hara
Jeffrey Jones - Criswell

Synopsis:

Ed Wood is a 1994 American comedy-drama biopic directed and produced by Tim Burton, and starring Johnny Depp as cult filmmaker Ed Wood. The film concerns the period in Wood's life when he made his best-known films as well as his relationship with actor Bela Lugosi, played by Martin Landau.

Review:

The film is a biography of the director Ed Wood. The film is focused on the apex of his career, which was in the mid 50s. At the beginning of his artistic career, he was a young and ambitious, not popular director. Ed met once in the store emaciated old man with a cane in his hand. He recognised in the old man Bela Lugosi, his idol and an actor. They quickly became friends. Overjoyed, Edward decided to star Bela in his films, such as 'Glen or Glenda' and 'Bride of the Monster'. These works were awful, but Ed was not discouraged. Bela soon died, and Eddie decided to turn his deathbed footage in the film 'Plan 9 from Outer Space'.  Ed Wood was really an unusual and original person, but at the same time a purposeful man.

As for the cast, it was really good! Burton made a great job, having found such ptototypes. Johnny Depp starred as Edward Wood. He was really great true, without false.  I would never have believed that the worst director was so charming and charismatic. Oscar for best supporting actor went to Martin Landau (Bela Lugosi). Martin played a strong and complex role, and so true, that I believed him since his appearance on screen. Also I did not expect such a good play from Sarah Jessica Parker.

Impressions of this film are mixed. In 'Ed Wood' there are strong and tragic episodes. What should a person do when his friend died? But there are many comic moments also. For example, the scene with false teeth or a scene with the octopus. And of course, Ed's passion for dressing up in women's clothes was decribed with irony.  So 'Ed Wood' is not only a biography film but also it's witty tragicomedy about a bright person.