Review of Ed Wood (1994) by Spencer S — 27 Jan 2014

This film walks a very thin tightrope between dramatic biopic with serious character development and a detailed storyline, and pure fantasist glory. Director Tim Burton, who's influence is drenched in this film, has already stated that this was meant to be more of a reimagining of Wood's life than a point by point timeline of the real people of Wood, Lugosi, and Fuller.

It's easy to see why this route was taken, with the perennial advantage of Burton and Depp's pairing, source material that could work in any decade, and the amazing acting of Martin Landau as the incomparable Bela Lugosi, his heavy Hungarian accent just one of the amazing trickeries he produces to lend to the imaginative presence that his character undoubtedly had.

Though these are real people, their spirit is what if truly represented. Wood is portrayed as an optimist Hollywood go-getter with a heart of gold and a goofy grin to boot. He doesn't believe in more than one take per scene, and hopes the audience will keep up with suspense of disbelief and his backers won't mind him directing his films wearing a white faux fur sweater and black skirt.

Oh yes, this film pulls no punches when it comes to Wood's cross dressing, Lugosi's extensive morphine addiction, and the baffling association with Vampira, Bunny Breckenridge, and Tor Johnston, a cavalcade of excruciatingly awkward characters that both mesmerize and intrigue.

There is an element of dream, fantasy, or as the strange Orson Welles persona puts it, "a vision" that makes this film otherworldly and yet believable. Certainly one of Burton's better efforts, if not the more substantial in his zany repertoire.