This Day in Theaters: Sept. 30, 1994

Ed Wood (1994)

Out of all the Johhny Depp and Tim Burton projects to me the one that stands out the most is Ed Wood; and it has nothing to do with it being in black and white. The film tells the true story of Ed Wood, played by Johnny Depp, who is a young man hungry to make it in Hollywood just like his hero Orson Welles. However, he becomes more known for writing and directing B-movies and being a transvestite but his dream never defers. Throughout the film we get treated to some interesting characters, including Bela Lugosi, as well as witness the productions of some of Hollywood's worst films such as "Glen or Glenda" and "Plan 9 from Outer Space". With such interesting source material this movie definitely makes for an interesting two hours.

Hal Hinson of the Washington Post:

"Making a movie about the life of Ed Wood certainly qualifies as an impossible dream, but Burton has pulled it off with wit, imagination and something amazingly close to grace." 

Todd McCarthy of Variety:

"Tim Burton pays elaborate tribute to the maverick creative spirit in "Ed Wood ," a fanciful, sweet-tempered biopic about the man often described as the worst film director of all time. Always engaging to watch and often dazzling in its imagination and technique, picture is also a bit distended, and lacking in weight at its center. Result is beguiling rather than thrilling, oddly charming instead of transporting, meaning that Disney will have its work cut out for it with what is at heart a cult movie and a film buff's dream." 

Even Ed Wood is enthralled by Depp's performance

What sets this film apart from others taken on by the Burton/Depp duo is its simplicity. It is the story about one man, a quirky struggling narcissist, but it goes about itself different than say "Edward Scissor Hands". Which while similar in that it is about a weird young man, Ed Wood sets itself apart by not relaying on ridiculousness and doesn't come with this "look at me I'm different" angle. The film takes you back to a time in Hollywood when it was still run by the big studios while simultaneously churning out low budget independents before it was cool to do so. You really feel like you were part of Ed Wood's clique of friends and you want to tell him where he is going all wrong but his passion and commitment to realizing his dream would even make you second guess yourself. Depp delivers a great performance and Burton brings some subtlety to the table which is much different from his other films. There are a few slow moments in the film which can make it seem a bit longer than its run time but even they are so well done and genuine it won't ruin the experience. I more than recommend this film to anyone and I suggest you go out and rent it.

IMDb Score: 8.0

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%