"Do you reject Satan and all his evils?"
"Sure".This was such a fun run of watches. I already loved this movie, but after watching the three films they made in this movie (Glen or Glenda, Bride of the Monster, and Plan 9 From Outer Space), I can tuly see how much of an uncompromised love letter this movie is. Ed Wood represents that desire for us to succeed in our dreams, even if we can't seem to find it. This doesn't just apply to filmmaking, but to life in general; to the people who don't fit into the social norms, but manage to find the crowd of people who see them as human.
Despite all of the rejections from colleagues and loved ones, he becomes a legend, even after his death. In my last review, I mentioned that this movie was inspiring, but what this movie does so well is present the pursuit of greatness. Burton was able to show the quirkiness of Ed Wood while also subtly demonstrating his addiction through Bela Lugosi.
Ed Wood was a huge alcoholic, but we only see him drink a couple of times in the movie. Bela Lugosi was also an addict, and this is on full display in uncomfortable detail. It is strange not to include such a big topic for Wood, but the way they showed the codependency between Wood and Lugosi subtly juxtaposed each other's addictions. In a way, the two are the same, struggling in life and finding solace in each other. They both grew a legacy beyond their wildest imaginations, and the way they depicted (and didn't depict) their addictions shows the rising whimsy versus the harsher realities.
Fortunately, the movie balances the comedic and darker tones with much excellence. I was consistently laughing alongside this weird, tightly paced movie. The actors all deliver great comedic performances, and its wotth watching for that alone.
Both my friend and I have a disdain towards the film 'Chaplin', and this movie is quite possibly the antithesis of that. 'Ed Wood's focus on the relationship between Wood and Lugosi perfectly shows why that movie sucks (sorry, I have a vendetta against it, lol). The movie has such a good focus, and even when Lugosi passes away, his presence still motivates Ed.
There are so many layers to this movie that I pick up on every rewatch. The relationships, the exploration of gender, the comedy, the addiction, etc.; I can't wait to watch it again.
