This is the true story of a struggling B-movie director, who also happens to be a transvestite. The film could easily have slipped (by accident or design) into ridicule territory, but Depps performance makes you really sympathise with and root for the worst director of all-time. Depp has said that he approached the role of Edward D. Wood Jr. with the blind optimism of Ronald Reagan, the enthusiasm of the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, and Casey Kasem. Thats not a mix many actors could even aim for, and even fewer could pull off, but Depp manages to do it all while wearing one of his girlfriends woolly sweaters. Woods wife, Kathy, visited the films set one day, and remarked upon how much Depp looked like her husband. Depp received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for his performance in the film, which is perhaps the standout of all his collaborations with Burton. Its certainly in the top two