Flashback Friday: Ed Wood (1994)

I’ve seen a few Tim Burton films in my life, but Ed Wood was something else. And THAT, is saying something. The Burton/Depp love affair is in full swing in this one, with Depp starring as an ambitious director with a lot of enthusiasm but very little support from anyone. This is Ed Wood.

Based on the life story of the late and not so great director Edward D. Wood Jr. who was dubbed the worst director of all time, this film tackles very eventful but clueless life he led.

Complex and passionate, Ed Wood lived his films, but his largely unsuccessful career was filled with poor production value, terrible writing and even worse direction. This was his reputation. And this was the basis of this biopic.

There’s beautiful irony in a really good director making a really good film about the life of a terrible filmmaker, but that is exactly what Tim Burton did. After the successes of his Batman franchise, Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands, Burton kept the momentum going and attracted some noticeable names to star in Ed Wood, including Bill Murray, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Ok, let’s talk about Johnny Depp. Holy crap does this guy have range. He can play any character if given the chance and Tim Burton has given him every chance. Ed Wood, a lousy director who happens to be a cross-dresser, is not necessarily the most complex character he has ever played, but he puts in a top performance as usual.

Of course it looks EXACTLY the way you’d expect a Tim Burton film to look and feel. He’s an auteur that way.

If you’re a Tim Burton and Johnny Depp fan and you’d like to see a good film about a terrible filmmaker, I recommend Ed Wood. You will not be disappointed.

Best line of the entire film: “Do I really have a face like a horse?” Why yes, SJP, you do. And we will never let you forget it. We’re cruel bastards that way.

Rating: 8/10

Check out the trailer for Ed Wood, below: