Review of Ed Wood (1994) by Madison K — 28 Dec 2011

The story opens on these mysterious explosions. nobody knows what's causing them but they're upsetting all the buffalo.

Ed Wood, played by Johnny Depp, has a dream of becoming a big time director, producer, and writer. The movies starts with a scene from one of his plays and then the cast gathered around to read the horrible review. Although Ed is not exactly where he would like to be career wise, he has a wonderful relationship with his girlfriend Dolores, played by Sarah Jessica Parker. But he has a secret from her. He likes to dress in women's clothes.

Ed gets his chance to write and direct a movie. He choses the title "Glen or Glenda" for the movie is about a man who has a secret of dressing in women's clothing. Ed tells Dolores his secret by having her read the script. After the shock passes over her, she decides to help Ed and be in his movie.

Also in "Glen or Glenda" is one of Ed's favorite actors Bela Lugosi, played by Martin Landau. Ed meets Bela at a coffin store and gives Bela a ride home after. They end up becoming very close friends.

"Glen or Glenda" is a huge flop. But this doesn't discourage Ed. He presses on and gets to make another movie. This next movie also casts his friends and Dolores. Dolores is to play the female lead named Janet. The movie is short on cash and fund raisers are no help. That's when Ed meets a girl who is willing to help with the budget. And that's when Dolores loses the lead about gains the role of file clerk.

After the movie is complete, Dolores leaves Ed. And to make things worse, Bela is taken to a hospital for his drug addiction. While in the hospital waiting room, Ed meets his love Kathy, played by Patricia Arquette.

Shortly after that, Bela passes away. Ed had just started filming his next movie, again with Bela, and has the last footage Bela ever shot. Ed decides to make a movie surrounding that footage. The movie is made and Ed and Kathy get married. And in the end, Edward D. Wood, Jr. is named the worst director of all time.

This movie had everything. Great writing, directing, and acting. It's amazing to see Johnny Depp as this extremely optimistic horrible director. He gets the facial expressions and movements down to a pin on Ed Wood. Just watching him work is very entertaining.

As for Landau, he very much deserved his Best Supporting Actor award. And Bill Murray is absolutely hysterical ("What about glitter? When I was a headliner in Paris, audiences always liked it when I sparkled").

All in all, a fantastic film. One of the best from the 90's.