Ed Wood - The Depp and Burton we all know and love

Back before the public seemed to generally go off the once-bankable combination of director Tim Burton and leading man Johnny Depp, they made ‘Ed Wood,’ the biographical drama of the now ‘infamous’ Hollywood auteur of the same name.  If you know your film history, you may have heard of ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space,’ largely because it has often been heralded as the ‘worst film ever made.’ Personally, I think that’s a little unfair as Michael Bay is still alive, but it’s hardly a masterpiece.

It was Ed Wood himself who wrote and directed this *ahem* ‘epic’ which he basically blagged his way to get funded.  Burton tells this story using Depp as the titular character.  Who is also a cross-dresser.  Did I mention that?  Yes, not only does Ed Wood truly believe that he is destined to become the next Orson Wells, but he also likes wearing women’s clothes.  Cue Depp turning his quirky on-screen charm up to eleven.

For some reason, Burton chooses to shoot the whole film in black and white.  At first some may find this a little weird and jarring, yet, before long, you probably won’t notice that colour has been drained, especially when the ‘films within the film’ start rolling and you see Wood’s sci-fi flick in all its colourless glory.

Yes, it’s based on the real Ed Wood, but does that mean it’s a true story?  Well, it’s as true as the next Hollywood ‘true’ story.  A few liberties here and there have obviously been taken to further the plot, but, on the whole, it’s reasonably accurate.  You don’t have to know much about Ed Wood or his work to enjoy this, you just have to appreciate a role that seems to have been written for Johnny Depp, who plays the man with so much wide-eyed wonder that you can’t help but root for him, even if he probably hasn’t got the talent to back up his ambition (but then that can be said for pretty much ever reality TV show participant ever).

Depp carries the film on his own, but, besides Burton’s behind-the-scenes presence shining through, it’s worth mentioning the bunch of misfits Ed Wood brings along with him, all of which are allowed to have more than one moment where they shine.

The real Plan 9 From Outer Space was a flop.  However, it has since found an audience with the ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ audiences, plus Burton/Depp’s take on Ed Wood have furthered its reputation.  You may not want to see the source material after watching this (although I did and I enjoyed – or appreciated at least – it for what it was), but the time spent with Depp and his band of freaks and desperates should keep you comically entertained with its mix of pathos and fluffy pink sweaters.

9/10 almost as perfect as The Godfather