ED WOOD
A film review by Ben Hoffman
Copyright 1994 Ben Hoffman
Edward D. Wood, Jr. was in love with filmmaking. He flourished, if that is the word, in the 1950s through 1961.
Wood, unfortunately, had no talent for directing, Too bad he was unaware of it, making one miserably inept film after another. These are the titles: BRIDE OF THE MONSTER, GLEN OR GLENDA, JAIL BAIT, THE SINISTER URGE, NIGHT OF THE GHOULS, and the one he thought would bring him fame, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE.
Three of his films starred Bela Lugosi who himself had begun to confuse his real life with that of his film roles as the eerie, sinister Dracula. Eventually, Lugosi died of drug addiction. The one reason to see the film is Martin Landau's interpretation of Lugosi. Beautiful.
Director Tim Burton says of Ed Wood, "There's something beautiful about somebody who does what they love to do, no matter how misguided, and remains optimistic and upbeat against the odds." I would argue that it is far from beautiful and that insane asylums are filled with people who cannot face reality.
Burton adds, "We're not making fun of Wood (a cross-dresser) nor of his transvestitism. I really care about these people." All well and good but just showing Wood's utter ineptness in making films and walking around in women's clothes is making him the subject of ridicule. I do not think that making fun of someone, who is already a pathetic figure, is tasteful, despite the protestations.
The film surprisingly ends up-beat, omitting that Wood eventually ended up making porno films and becoming an alcoholic. Johnny Depp (WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE. BENNY AND JOON) does well enough as Wood though he could have been a bit more quirky.
Bill Murray has a small part as Bunny Breckenridge who is thinking of getting a sex change. We could have done without Murray. Again, it is Martin Landau's performance that stands out. Sara Jessica Parker is Wood's girlfriend.
2 bytes 4 Bytes = Absolutely must see. 3 Bytes = Too good to be missed. 2 Bytes = So so. 1 Byte = Save your money.
Ben Hoffman
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