Review of Ed Wood (1994) by Evan A — 05 Jul 2011

This film chronicles the life of Ed Wood. From his failure as a playwright to his first film (Glen or Glenda) to his angora fetish and then to his masterpiece 'Plan 9 from Outer Space'. The one he'd be remembered for. I think that's a understatement since all of his films are worth a memorable moment of thought especially 'Glen or Glenda'.

Wood never liked the small details. He looked for the bigger picture. The opposite is apparent in this biopic. The smallest detail is presented in stark black & white and it shows a side to Hollywood that we rarely see. The struggling to make it side. To make that dream come true. It can never always be exactly what we want it to be, but Eddy at least was able to try and make it happen. He had a good heart, but he just wasn't a good filmmaker.

His relationship with Bela Lugosi is a bittersweet partnership. "This town chews you up and spits you out. I'm just an ex-boogeyman," He tells Ed. He maybe have been right at the time, but he couldn't be more wrong today. Lugosi fans are out there. Hiding in the shadows of the horror world.

Tim Burton is an acquired taste. I'm not much of a fan, but he does tend to surprise me. The nostalgic look of 50s Hollywood, it's more unattractive side, is what makes this film the most unique. It's quite beautiful. Not to mention the cheesy ideas that poured out of Eddy himself. God bless him. Wherever he is.