MovieChat Forums > Ed Wood (1994) Discussion > The point of this movie...

The point of this movie...

posted 10 years ago by Thrillseeker303
17 replies | jump to latest

The fact a movie was made about the worst director ever is like saying:
"All you need in life is the ambition to keep ignoring the fact that you don't have what it takes to create something extraordinary!"
That's like a tone-deaf man aspiring to become a great pop-star, a blind man who desperately wants to be an airline pilot or a mentally retarded man trying hard to become president of America.
Sometimes you have to face the fact that you just don't have what it takes and try something else.
This movie reminds me of those failed auditions on "X-Factor" or "Britain's Got Talent" where people make a complete fool of themselves without realizing it.
Yet in their own mind they are convinced they are a star while everybody is laughing at them.
I don't call that entertainment. I find it awkward and embarrassing to watch.
Laughing with people's failures or shortcomings is not entertainment, it's insulting.
Secondly, being the "worst" at something shouldn't be praised. It sets a bad example for people who desperately want the world's attention.
Seems like soon awards will be given to worst actors, doctors or infamous criminals.
I just gave this movie a second viewing to see if I had missed the point the first time.
But with all respect to people who did somehow enjoy this movie, my opinion stays the same.
I must admit I have never seen an actual movie by Ed Wood himself. Yet I'm still not tempted to go see one after watching this biography twice.
So my question to fans is this: What do you find so appealing or entertaining about this movie?

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[–] Wombstar 7 years ago

The point is Ed loved movies, he loved making movies and wanted to make them so he did. It didn't matter that he wasn't making money, it didn't matter he didn't have huge studio budget he still got off his back side and did it, found money found people any did it anyway.

Not like kids today who wont even get off their back side unless they're popping a video game into their games machines.

[–] everlone_2000 7 years ago

So my question to fans is this: What do you find so appealing or entertaining about this movie?

Because primarily, it's not really the movies that are important - it's the relationships. The Ed Wood of this movie may not realize it, but his life is wonderful because he forms meaningful and profound relationships with the people around him, the most pronounced of which is the dignity and grace and lack of judgment with which he conducts himself around Bela Lugosi. By foregrounding that, the movie reminds us that the same is true in life. It's not the achievements that give things meaning, it's the warmth and openness of the connections you form.

Also, it presents 'success' - rightly - as being intrinsic rather than extrinsic. This Ed doesn't try and make films so he can impress other people. He makes films that speak to him and the only success that matters, for him, is that he gets to make films and he himself is pleased with them.

I think between them, these two points present quite a profound take on life that is simultaneously true and quite rare (although, I think Fargo and the Big Lebowski hit a similar note, from around the same era). And that is what make the film great, IMO.

I should add, mind, that I've seen this film several times, and consider it a favourite, but have never seen and Ed Wood movie or investigated his life beyond this film.

[–] Otter (24464) 7 years ago

I've seen all of Wood's films, including the little-known "Orgy of the Dead", and FYI they are unique and entertaining. Not in a way that anyone intended of course, but they're fun films if you have a sick sense of humor!

I also like

[–] Otter (24464) 7 years ago

Bugger, hit "enter" by mistake.

I also like that someone made a film about people who have nothing achieving their goals, making real friendship, finding love, having fun, working together, finding something good in a very harsh world. And even with no funding, support, or talent, they became part of film history. I love this movie.