ED WOOD
A film review by Eric Grossman
Copyright 1994 LOS ANGELES INDEPENDENT
Transvestites, flying-saucers, and alien grave-robbers, how could anyone ask for more? Director Tim Burton's latest effort, ED WOOD offers all of this and yes, far, far more. Burton (BATMAN, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS) has always been a director who is long on mood and atmosphere but short on story skills. For ED WOOD, Burton comes in swinging not only with his usual arsenal of visuals but also with a strong narrative to tell this story of a cross-dressing B, or make that C-movie filmmaker.
Johnny Depp, a good actor who does not mind risky roles, plays Ed Wood, the director who is remembered for making one of the best, worst films of all time, PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE. Depp's performance is a caricature but he is successful in bringing out a deeper emotionalism that makes us genuinely like Ed. Struggling to make it in Hollywood as an actor/writer and director, just like his idol Orson Wells, Ed is able to convince a B-movie producer to allow him to make a film about a man who becomes a woman. Ed believes he is the best for the job because he himself likes to wear women's clothing, especially angora sweaters. Ed makes his first film, GLEN OR GLENDA?, in which he stars with his girlfriend Dolores Fuller (Sara Jessica Parker). After giving Dolores the script, Ed confesses to her that he has an affinity for wearing women's garments. Shocked and confused, Dolores is at least comforted when she learns why her angora sweaters always seemed to be mysteriously stretched out. As much as she tries, Dolores can never accept Ed's non-conformist behavior and ultimately their relationship does not survive. However, Ed does meet Kathy O'Hara (Patricia Arquette), a quiet, sweet woman who understands that Ed's desire to cross-dress is not a perversion, but is instead a way for him to express his deep love for women.
The true treat of the film is Martin Landau who plays famous DRACULA star, Bela Lugosi. Delivering a performance full of warmth, humor and sorrow, Landau once again proves that he is one of the best character actors working today. Long forgotten by the Hollywood machine that "chews you up and spits you out," Lugosi's career and life is on the rocks. In a chance encounter, Ed meets Lugosi and a deep friendship begins. Their relationship is the backbone of the story as they inspire and aid each other in times of need. In addition to his charm and other endearing qualities, screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski do not gloss over the fact that Lugosi was hooked on morphine. It is more than once that he calls Ed up in the middle of the night, in a semi-conscious voice, begging for help. For Ed, Lugosi validates his "art" as well as being an important element in getting his pictures made. The friendship is a father/son relationship where they each take turns being the father and the son.
As we watch Ed try desperately to get his films made, we find ourselves both laughing at him and admiring him for his courage. It takes guts to make "your" film, especially when everyone thinks it is garbage. As bizarre and funny as it is, it takes guts to admit you like to wear women's clothing and then walk out on the set in a skirt, heels, and a wig while yelling "okay, everyone, let's make this movie." Finally, Ed is a portrait of pure determination. He is able to get PLAN 9 made by promising a Beverly Hills Baptist church that their investment in a sci-fi/horror film would bring enough profits to finance religious films. As Bill Murray's silly Bunny Beckinridge asks Ed, "How do you do it? How do you convince all your friends to get baptized just so you can make a monster movie?" The answer, charm and persistence.
Like all of Burton's films, ED WOOD is pure eye-candy. The black-and-white cinematography is by Stefan Czapsky and the atmospheric production design was created by Tom Duffield. The serio-comic score was composed by Howard Shore and the film was edited by Chris Lebenzon. Ed's angora sweaters and pumps as well as the other character's outfits were put together by costume designer Colleen Atwood. Other cast members include Jeffrey Jones and Vincent D'Onofrio in a small part as Orson Wells.
As endearing as it is bizarre, ED WOOD is a very entertaining movie that achieves what it aspires to be, an unconventional film about an unconventional man.
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